Hummingbirds are small, vibrantly colored birds that are found throughout the Americas. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair, they are some of the most remarkable birds in the world. But what are hummingbirds called in the language of the ancient Aztec civilization that once flourished in Mexico?
The Nahuatl Language of the Aztecs
The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, a language from the Uto-Aztecan family that is still spoken by over 1.5 million people today. Nahuatl was the dominant language of central Mexico in the centuries leading up to the Spanish conquest in the early 1500s.
Like many Mesoamerican languages, Nahuatl is polysynthetic, meaning that long complex words can be formed by combining roots and affixes. This allows for very descriptive words, like the Nahuatl words for hummingbird:
Huitzilin
The most common Nahuatl word for hummingbird is “huitzilin.” This word comes from the roots:
- Huitzitzil, meaning “hummingbird”
- -in, a suffix meaning “diminutive.”
So “huitzilin” literally translates to something like “little hummingbird.” The first part of the word, “huitzitzil,” is an onomatopoeia – it was formed to sound like the buzzing hum made by a hummingbird’s wings.
Use of Huitzilin in Aztec Culture
The hummingbird held an important place in Aztec culture and religion. The energetic bird represented energy, vigor, and the sustaining life force. Aztec warriors and nobility sometimes took Huitzilin as part of their names to represent strength and vitality.
Huitzilin was also associated with the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli. As a symbol of this important deity, the hummingbird and its Nahuatl name were imbued with even greater significance.
Tetzolin
“Tetzolin” is another Nahuatl word for hummingbirds. It is formed from the roots:
- Tetl, meaning “stone”
- -tzolin, a suffix likely linked to buzzing or vibration
So “tetzolin” translates to something like “one who buzzes like a stone.” This name may refer to the fast, steady buzzing made by hummingbird wings.
Tetzolin in Literature
The word “tetzolin” appears in important 16th century Aztec texts. It is found in the Florentine Codex, a compilation of Nahuatl language and culture made by Bernardino de Sahagún. It also appears in the Cantares Mexicanos, a collection of Nahuatl poetry and songs.
Xōchipilli
A more descriptive term for hummingbirds in Nahuatl is “xōchipilli.” This name combines several roots:
- Xōchitl, meaning “flower”
- Pilli, meaning “noble” or “prince”
- -tzin, an honorific suffix
Combined, these parts mean something like “flower prince.” It’s a fitting name for these delicate pollinators that feed on flower nectar.
Hummingbirds in Aztec Artwork
The long-tailed hummingbird species found in Mexico were often depicted in Aztec art and pictured on calendars. Their Nahuatl name xōchipilli appeared in artwork portraying these calendar images.
Differences Between Nahuatl Dialects
It’s worth noting there were some variations in Nahuatl terminology between different Aztec cities and regions. For example:
- In the Tlatelolco dialect, “tototzin” was used for hummingbird instead of huitzilin.
- “Tetzcatzonotl” meant hummingbird in the Tetzcoco dialect.
- Some regions used “tentzontecomatl” to describe the hummingbird’s buzzing wings.
However, huitzilin and tetzolin were the most widespread Nahuatl words for these speedy pollinators.
Hummingbird Names in Other Indigenous Languages
Various names for hummingbirds existed across Mesoamerica’s many pre-Columbian languages and cultures. For example:
| Language | Word for Hummingbird |
|---|---|
| Zapotec | Bicobia |
| Mixtec | Ñuu nduta |
| Tarascan (Purépecha) | Tsíntsikua |
| Totonac | Lachalá |
Each culture had its own perspective on the small, shimmering birds that still thrive in Mexico and Central America today.
The Legacy of Aztec Hummingbird Names
The Aztec Empire left a profound legacy in Mexico and Mesoamerica. Nahuatl words like huitzilin and tetzolin preserve part of that heritage and provide insight into how Aztec culture viewed the natural world.
These Nahuatl terms remind us of the Aztecs’ artistic skill, calendar systems, and spiritual perspectives. They also reflect the powers of observation and descriptive language found in Nahuatl and other Mesoamerican tongues.
So next time you see one of these buzzing jewels of the sky, remember the Aztecs also appreciated the speedy brilliance of hummingbirds.
Conclusion
In the Aztec Nahuatl language, hummingbirds were called huitzilin, tetzolin, and xōchipilli. These descriptive names highlighted attributes like the hummingbird’s diminutive size, buzzing wings, association with flowers, and importance in Aztec religion. Variations existed between Nahuatl dialects and many other Mesoamerican languages had their own words for hummingbirds. While the Aztec Empire is long gone, these terms preserve its cultural perspective on small but mighty hummingbirds.
