Hummingbirds are the smallest mature birds in the world and arguably one of the most beautiful. Hummingbirds come in a rainbow of colors, including purple, shimmering green, rose red, and metallics.
Perhaps their beauty is one of the many reasons people love them as the subject of tattoos.
Have you ever stopped and wondered about the meaning of a hummingbird tattoo? Before getting inked with this tiny bird, you need to know its significance and should also consider its style and placement.
Hummingbird Tattoo Meaning
The hummingbird tattoo is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. It embodies intelligence, resilience, and loyalty. Revered as healers and teachers, the hummingbird brings joy and comfort, representing beauty and balance in various cultures.
It is good to understand the possible cultural meanings of a hummingbird tattoo, if you are considering getting one inked on you.
1. Good Luck
Sure, a hummingbird means good luck, but how? It is not normal for hummingbirds to appear outside of spring and summer or March through May, depending on your location. This tiny bird is considered a good omen if you see one making a sudden appearance before an event in which you are traveling, such as a visit to another village or a hunting trip.
A green hummingbird in particular could mean prosperity.
2. Courage, Resilient Fighting, Strength
Throughout decades of history, hummingbirds have served as symbols of resiliency and strength. Many Native American tribes associated the hummingbird with courage and tenacity. For example, the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli was associated with hummingbirds and war. They believe hummingbirds symbolize the warrior spirit.
3. Devotion and Love
The persistence of a hummingbird is not to be underestimated. It is also extremely loyal. Many Christians view the sight of a hummingbird as a sign of someone who has passed on, a symbol of devotion from beyond the grave.
4. Peace and Comfort
The Aztecs believed they were fallen warriors who returned, and Puerto Ricans held them in high regard in legends about love and avoiding heartbreak. Through these different stories, the hummingbird represents comfort in a time of grief as well as peace.
5. Beauty, Playfulness, and Joy
The mere sight of a hummingbird inspires joy and appreciation for its beauty. It is also a creature of playfulness, dancing in and out of view and toward and away from flowers or hummingbird feeders. So too does it adapt to changing circumstances and balance anything that needs moderation.
Trinidad natives considered it taboo to consume hummingbirds and wear their brightly-colored feathers.
Hummingbird Tattoo Ideas
The ideas for hummingbird tattoos are limitless. Consider the following if you are thinking about getting one.
1. Watercolor Hummingbird Tattoo
Source: Tattoo Berlin Vesna.
Watercolor tattoos highlight the beauty of hummingbirds perfectly. These tattoos look like highly realistic paintings. Watercolor tattoos allow you to bring the hummingbird to life with its vibrant colors.
2. Tribal Hummingbird Tattoo
Tribal tattoo designs are usually black and include bold lines and swirling patterns. Tribal hummingbird designs are impressively designed and sure to stand out on your skin, no matter where you place them.
3. Small and Simple Hummingbird Tattoo
Source: West 4 Tattoo.
Females, especially, love getting small, simple hummingbird tattoos. These little tattoos are beautiful but kept simple in design, depending on the person’s style. You can get a bolder design by keeping the tattoo all black.
4. Black and White Hummingbird Tattoo
The addition of white tattoo ink has revolutionized the way people think about inked designs. A white and black hummingbird tattoo is elegant, simple and makes a bold statement without effort.
5. Hummingbird Fine Line Tattoo
Source: Akkurat Tattoo.
Those who want an understated look should consider a hummingbird outline tattoo. These tattoos include no inner details or colors but are uniquely intriguing.
6. Traditional Hummingbird Tattoo
Some people like sticking more with the traditional. Traditional hummingbird tattoos are usually outlined in black and contain a beautiful range of colors, depending on the individual’s taste and skin tone.
7. Aztec Hummingbird Tattoo
Aztec cultures believed dead warriors were reincarnated as hummingbirds. Men prefer this tattoo style because it gives a ruggedness to the design instead of it looking feminine. Most Aztec tattoos are done in black only, with bold lines.
8. Hummingbird Tattoo With Flowers
Source: Till Death Tattoo.
This design represents love and everything beautiful in life. Anytime you see a hummingbird design, it is often depicted enjoying the sweet nectar of flowers. These tattoos feature beautiful designs that are ideal for men or women.
9. Realistic Hummingbird Tattoo
Some tattoo artists are so incredibly talented that they can create realistic tattoos that seem to jump off the skin. If you want a realistic hummingbird tattoo, search carefully for an expert talent with many years of experience. Not all tattoo artists can ink feathers and make them look realistic.
10. Abstract Hummingbird Tattoo
Source: Ink Vinny.
Hummingbird Tattoo Placements
You have so many options for placing a hummingbird tattoo. Consider the ideas below to get started on your perfect placement.
- Behind the ear
- The inner wrist
- On the finger
- The neck
- The ankle
- The back
Women are more likely to get hummingbird tattoos on their ankles, fingers, or wrists. These areas are ideal for dainty designs with flowers. Men will often get hummingbird tattoos on their backs or forearms. There is no right or wrong place to get one of these tattoos.
Pros and Cons of Hummingbird Tattoos
There are pros and cons to every type of tattoo. Some people love hummingbird designs, and others do not care for them.
Pros
- Sends a powerful message
- A range of designs
- A range of colors
- A wide range of placement options
- Offers personalization options
Cons
- Modest pain, long healing time, cost, and care
- You need a masterful artist
- Some designs look better than others
Most people feel the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to hummingbird design tattoos. It is your body, and if you want a hummingbird tattoo, you should get one!
Is a Hummingbird Tattoo Calling Your Name?
Knowing the meaning of these beautiful little birds may make you even more interested in getting tatted with one. Once you have decided on the perfect design and placement, you need to find an expert tattoo artist and ask to see their hummingbird portfolio. Every time you look at your hummingbird tattoo, you will be reminded of its special meaning.
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