A hummingbird necklace is a popular jewelry choice for many reasons. Hummingbirds are beloved for their beauty, grace, independence and determination. A hummingbird necklace captures the spirit of these tiny birds and is an uplifting symbol of joy, energy, and resilience.
In this article we’ll explore the meaning behind hummingbird necklaces and what they represent. We’ll look at hummingbird symbolism in native cultures, mythology, and religion. We’ll also cover the qualities and attributes that hummingbirds are known for, and how those translate into meaningful symbolism for necklace wearers. Whether you’re considering a hummingbird necklace for yourself or looking to give one as a thoughtful gift, read on to discover the uplifting significance behind this charming jewelry choice.
Hummingbird Symbolism
Hummingbirds hold symbolic importance in many cultures around the world. Here are some of the key symbolic meanings associated with hummingbirds:
Joy and Happiness
With their energetic flight and constant busy movement as they dart from flower to flower, hummingbirds evoke a sense of joy and lightness. A hummingbird necklace can be a reminder to embrace happiness in everyday life.
Energy
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms that require them to consume a lot of energy. They can flap their wings up to 70 times per second! This connects them with symbols of vigor, vitality, and an abundance of energy. Wearing a hummingbird necklace can represent embracing that lively energy.
Playfulness
Watching hummingbirds hover and dart around as they drink nectar gives them an impression of playfulness and lightheartedness. A hummingbird necklace evokes a spirit of curiosity, delight, and enjoyment.
Resurrection
In some cultures hummingbirds are seen as a symbol of resurrection, because they seemingly die each night when their metabolism slows dramatically, and then come back to life each morning. The hummingbird’s return from torpor every dawn evokes themes of renewal and revival.
Protection
Some Native American tribes considered the hummingbird a protector and source of luck or good fortune. Hummingbird necklaces can be worn as a protective amulet and invocation of safety.
Fierceness
Despite their small size, hummingbirds are famously territorial and aggressive when defending their nests and feeding grounds. They fearlessly take on birds and animals many times their size. This makes the hummingbird a symbol of courage and fierceness. A hummingbird necklace conveys an inner strength and determination.
Independence
Hummingbirds live solitary lives and do not form flocks or depend on groups. Their ability to maneuver solo through life demonstrates admirable independence. A hummingbird necklace can be a reminder to embrace your own independence and live with confidence and self-reliance.
Hummingbird Meaning in Mythology and Folklore
Hummingbirds have captured imaginations across cultures, appearing in many myths, legends, and folktales. Here are some of the symbolic meanings found in stories over the centuries:
Messengers Between Worlds
Aztec mythology describes hummingbirds as messengers who carry prayers between humans and gods. Wearing a hummingbird necklace can signify divine communication and connectivity between earthly and spiritual realms.
Good Luck and Joy
In multiple South and Central American folktales, hummingbirds appear as sources of joy and good luck when they visit people or interact with them. A hummingbird necklace can invoke those uplifting qualities.
Love and Fidelity
A Native American legend depicts hummingbirds as symbols of devoted love when a hummingbird couple refuses to be split apart. Hummingbird necklaces can represent love, affection, and commitment.
Appreciation of Beauty
Many myths highlight the hummingbird’s appreciation of beautiful flowers. Greek stories portray hummingbirds as having a deep sense of aesthetics. Wearing a hummingbird necklace can remind you to appreciate beauty and joy in the everyday.
Curiosity and Intelligence
Across native folklore from the Americas to Africa, hummingbirds are portrayed as exceptionally curious and intelligent. Their wisdom helps guide humans in legends. A hummingbird necklace can be a meaningful symbol of keen intelligence.
Royalty
The Aztecs and Mayans depicted hummingbirds as sacred, associated with royal bloodlines. Wearing a hummingbird pendant can connect you to themes of majesty, nobility, and natural wonder.
Hummingbird Symbolism in Religion and Spirituality
For their vibrancy, determination, and assumed magical qualities, hummingbirds hold symbolic significance in many spiritual traditions:
Christianity
In some Biblical interpretations, the hummingbird’s resilience and renewal are seen as symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. A hummingbird necklace can be worn as a representation of Christian faith.
Buddhist Teachings
Because they can fly backwards and upside down, hummingbirds are associated with overcoming limitations, a key Buddhist tenet. Wearing a hummingbird necklace can be a reminder to break free of constraints.
Hinduism
Hummingbirds’ fast, blurry wings can represent the idea from Hindu scriptures that the material world is an illusion compared to divine reality. A hummingbird necklace is a reminder to access higher consciousness.
Ancient Greece and Rome
In these ancient cultures, hummingbirds were depicted in amulets and charms as symbols of vigor, health, joy and vitality due to their lively nature. Hummingbird jewelry continues this tradition.
Alchemy
In medieval traditions, the hummingbird symbolized the element of air due to its ability to fly swiftly. It was thought to activate the body’s life force. Hummingbird pendants can still represent air, breath and spirit.
Feng Shui
In this Chinese philosophy, hummingbirds represent optimism and the idea of personal chi or energy. Hanging a hummingbird necklace near your home’s entrance can invite in positive energy.
Sufism
The whirling dance of hummingbirds hovering in place evokes Sufi practices of mystical spinning to transcend the physical. Hummingbird jewelry aligns with Sufism’s higher states of joy and devotion.
Qualities and Symbolism of Color in Hummingbird Necklaces
The color of a hummingbird necklace can add additional layers of symbolism:
Red
A red hummingbird pendant evokes themes of passion, love, intensity and vibrancy.
Purple
Purple hummingbirds connect to qualities like spirituality, wisdom, imagination and magic.
Blue
Blue is linked to calmness, tranquility, healing, relaxation and peace. Blue hummingbirds represent restoring the soul.
Pink
Pink hummingbirds symbolize romance, affection, friendship, sensitivity, femininity and charm.
Orange
Orange represents joy, warmth, energy, optimism, enthusiasm and creativity. Orange hummingbirds are about embracing life fully.
Green
For hummingbirds, green represents nature, renewal, health, luck, prosperity, balance, growth and harmony.
Turquoise
Turquoise hummingbirds combine sky and ocean, evoking spirituality, calmness, kindness, compassion, healing, and inner tranquility.
Gold
Gold signifies prosperity, success, triumph, positivity, vitality, and confidence. Gold hummingbirds connect to achievement and victory.
Silver
Silver represents intuition, reflection, calmness, dignity, modesty, and balance. Silver hummingbird jewelry encourages focus on the spiritual.
Choosing Your Hummingbird Necklace
When selecting a hummingbird pendant necklace, consider what attributes and meaning you want your necklace to embody:
– Do you want an energetic red hummingbird or a calm blue one?
– Does a gold necklace represent your need for success right now, or does silver better suit your reflective mood?
– Are you drawn to the delicate femininity of a small rose gold hummingbird, or the strength and bravery of a large copper one?
– Does a minimalist diamond or opal hummingbird reflect your personality better than a more elaborate jewel-encrusted one?
Your choice of hummingbird necklace can be deeply personal and symbolic of what you want to invoke, express, or remember. Or it can simply celebrate beauty for beauty’s sake. There’s no wrong way to select a design that speaks to you!
Hummingbird Necklaces as Meaningful Gifts
Due to their symbolic significance, hummingbird necklaces make wonderful gifts:
For Little Girls
A dainty hummingbird necklace can delight and inspire a young girl with its themes of independence, confidence, intelligence and strength.
For Daughters
An adult daughter can appreciate a hummingbird pendant representing the lasting connection between mother and child.
For Sisters or Best Friends
Matching or complementary hummingbird necklaces symbolize the close-knit bond, love and loyalty shared by sisters or best girlfriends.
For Grandmothers
A hummingbird necklace for a grandmother celebrates the vitality, wisdom, affection and protection she provides to her family.
For Nature Lovers
Anyone with an affinity for nature and wildlife will appreciate a hummingbird necklace honoring these captivating creatures.
As Congratulatory Gifts
Hummingbird jewelry conveys pride, achievement, happiness, and encouragement when given to congratulate someone.
As Romantic Gifts
Couples can exchange hummingbird necklaces representing their love, commitment and loyalty to one another.
To Inspire and Uplift
Hummingbird pendants make inspired gifts for someone starting a new chapter, pursuing new dreams, or needing their spirits lifted during a difficult time. The hummingbird’s uplifting symbolism can give hope and courage.
To Express Appreciation
The gift of a hummingbird necklace shows gratitude and appreciation for someone who brings beauty, joy and vitality to your life.
Conclusion
With their captivating charm and inspiring symbolic meanings, it’s little wonder hummingbird necklaces are a popular jewelry choice. A hummingbird pendant worn around the neck invokes personal qualities like independence, fierceness, curiosity, and resilience. It also represents concepts like joy, beauty, energy, and love. Hummingbirds symbolize revered values across cultures and belief systems, making them both timeless and timely as jewelry motifs. Whether you select a hummingbird necklace representing what you want to embrace in your own life, or gift one to uplift someone you care about, a hummingbird pendant is sure to be appreciated as a meaningful symbol of all that makes life precious. Let the magic and symbolism of the wondrous hummingbird alight around your neck!
Hummingbird Color | Meaning | Gift Recipient |
---|---|---|
Red | Passion, intensity | Spouse or romantic partner |
Purple | Wisdom, spirituality | Spiritual or wise friend |
Blue | Calmness, healing | Someone in need of comfort |
Pink | Femininity, friendship | Close girlfriend |
Orange | Joy, creativity | Free spirit |
Green | Luck, nature | Outdoors lover |
Gold | Success, achievement | Recent graduate |
Silver | Intuition, balance | Seeker of wisdom |