Ancient Hummingbird Symbols
The hummingbird family Trochilidae is restricted to the Americas and appears in myths and legends across North and South America. The hummingbird is viewed as a symbol of life, fertility and joy across both continents. Images of the hummingbird are recorded in paintings, oral teachings and in the Nazca Lines site.
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Peru
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The most famous ancient hummingbird symbol was created by the pre-Inca Nazca civilization on the Nazca plain. The hummingbird symbol is central symbol of the Nazca Lines site. The full significance of the Nazca Lines has been lost to time. Experts believe the site was used for religious rites. Hot air balloons were created using ancient materials to prove that the Nazca people were able to aerially view the symbols. The Nazca site was constructed between 200 B.C. and 600 AD.
Mexico
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The Aztec civilization of Mexico incorporated the hummingbird into the festival Atamalqualiztli, which was celebrated every eight years. The festival celebrated the interdependency of flowers and birds, essential to the agrarian Aztec culture. Cities were decorated with flowers, and in one ritual, children dressed in hummingbird costumes. The hummingbird was of special significance, as it represent fallen divine warriors. The Aztecs viewed the hummingbird as a symbol of life, like many of the other nations of the Americas.
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Cherokee
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In the legend "The Race Between the Hummingbird and the Crane," the crane and the hummingbird are similar to the European fable of the tortoise and the hare. The race between the hummingbird and the crane is for the love of a beautiful woman. The woman suggests the race because she is fond of the hummingbird and is sure he will win. The crane wins in the same manner as the tortoise--through tenacity. The crane is slower but can fly throughout the night.
Ojibwe
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An Ojibwe legend favors the hummingbird as the savior of roses in a legend about the balance of nature. The legend tells of a time where roses became scarce. The hummingbird, the bee and the bear were the only animals that noticed the change. When the roses disappeared, the bees and hummingbirds began to starve, and the bear was angry without honey. A hummingbird found the last rose on a mountaintop and brought it back to the medicine men and women who nursed it back to health.
Haida
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The Haida of the Northwest coast have a legend of the origin of the hummingbird. Locally called Sah Sen, the hummingbird was created by Raven from a beautiful flower that animals anticipated every spring. The green color of the hummingbird represented the green grasses of spring, and the red color the setting sun. Raven gave the hummingbird the gift to fly like sun flickering through the trees. The hummingbird darts from flower to flower, thanking them for bringing beauty to the world. The hummingbird is a symbol of good luck and represents friendship and playfulness.
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References
- Photo Credit hummingbird image by maiky911 from Fotolia.com
