HUMMINGBIRDS SYMBOLIZE: BEAUTY, LOVE, HARMONY
The Hummingbird | Indigenous Symbolism
Hummingbird has varying meanings across the pacific northwest. Each tribe, clan, and family can have a distinct and unique association with Hummingbird. Many of these symbols can represent the stories, traits, and values that hold a special significance to Indigenous Peoples. In retail jewellery, these symbols still hold significance but aren’t held to the same cultural standard. Regardless, we believe learning more about the beauty and depth of the Hummingbird legends brings more pleasure to the wearer.
Also referred to as Sah Sen, Hummingbird is a messenger of joy. It symbolizes intellect, beauty, devotion, and love. This little bird is known for being both fierce and playful.
Depictions of Hummingbird in Indigenous Art
For many in the Pacific Northwest, seeing a hummingbird signals the start of spring. The most common Hummingbird in the Pacific Northwest is the Rufous Hummingbird. This mighty bird has one of the longest winter migrations, traveling almost 5,000 km from Mexico to its breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest rainforests.
Hummingbird is often depicted with a round head and a long, sharp point for its beak. Many Indigenous depictions of Hummingbird also include dogwood flowers. According to one legend, the reason why Hummingbird bounces from flower to flower is to remind the flowers they make the world a better place to live.
The Hummingbird Symbolism
Hummingbirds are signs of good luck. Seeing a Hummingbird before hunting, traveling, or another major event was a good sign. Hummingbirds are territorial birds and aren’t afraid to defend their territory. Their grace, swiftness, and playful nature signify friendship and good luck.
![Hummingbird pendant with 14k gold-fill bird and dogwood flower details. Made by Coast Salish and Cree jewelry artist Harold Alfred.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/7655/9811/files/IMG_6901_480x480.jpg?v=1651607901)
Their quickness and endless energy make many feel Hummingbird can act as a guide during challenges. Hummingbirds are adaptable and move with ease through sudden changes. This kind of flexibility teaches us to be adaptable during unexpected challenges and times of hardship. If you can still stay joyful like the hummingbird, you are bound to come out the other side victorious.
If the Hummingbird is your family crest or personal totem, you’re likely a sensitive person who can pick up on subtle differences in people and your surroundings. However, you’re also someone who can overcome times of hardship with ease. You’re adaptable, resilient, and fiercely take all challenges head-on.
The hummingbird is known as the joyful messenger of spirits. If a Hummingbird appears during a time of great sorrow and pain, healing will soon follow. Hummingbird also symbolizes intelligence and the fragility of all living things. To receive Hummingbird art as a gift says you are wished joy, healing, and love, and bring joy to the giver’s life.
The Hummingbird in Northwest Coast Cultures
According to one story, Raven transformed a flower into the first Hummingbird. The newly born Hummingbird was sent to bring a message to all the other flowers thanking them for their beauty. Legend says this is why Hummingbird darts quickly from flower to flower. This story teaches us that just like flowers, every person has a unique gift to give to the world.
In other stories, high-ranking Haida women were said to arrive to gatherings with live hummingbirds tied to their hair. The Hummingbirds signified the woman’s beauty, rank, and close relationship with the notorious bird.
One Kwakwaka'wakw legend recounts Dzunuk'wa, the Wild Woman of the Woods, loving Hummingbirds so much she would allow them to nest in her unruly hair. The Hummingbirds were so beautiful, they looked like jewellery pinned in the Wild Woman’s hair.
129 products
![1/2” Hummingbird with a Flower Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/252261_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520717)
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![1 inch Hummingbird Silver and Gold Bracelet is hand carved](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/340956-front_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520572)
![Bracelet has mirroring effect. Two flowers in the center with leaves around. At each flower there is a hummingbird. Cross-hatching background. Hand-carved by Kwakwaka’wakw artist William Cook.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/files/Silver_Three_Quarters_of_an_Inch_Flower_Hummingbirds_Cuff_Front_{width}x.jpg?v=1715619633)
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![Front of bracelet depicts side-view of sterling silver hummingbird head pointing right. Rest of piece is copper. Designs done in ovoids and lines depict hummingbird’s body and a flower. Backdrop is cross-hatching.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/files/Large_Silver_Copper_Hummingbird_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1698355293)
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![Detailed cuff bracelet depicting a hummingbird in a floral setting. Side-view of the hummingbird’s face is in the center. Design is made from cross-hatching, ovoids and lines.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/files/Sterling_Silver_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Bracelet1_{width}x.jpg?v=1683312597)
![This hummingbird bracelet has the profile of a hummingbird's head facing the right in the center. It has a small feather on its head.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/253220c_{width}x.jpg?v=1682123151)
![This clasp bracelet has the the head of a thunderbird and the head of a hummingbird facing towards each other in the center.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/253101c_{width}x.jpg?v=1682104880)
![This cuff bracelet has half of the moons face in the center made out of copper.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/341885c_{width}x.jpg?v=1681426255)
![The center of this hummingbird bracelet has the profile of a hummingbird's head facing the left, drinking from a flower.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/341877c_{width}x.jpg?v=1681336341)
![The front of this cuff bracelet has the face of the moon in the center with two hummingbird heads pointing towards it on both sides.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/253893c_{width}x.jpg?v=1681335595)
![This clasp bracelet has the profile of an eagle's head and a hummingbird's head facing each other in the center of the bracelet.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/files/252814_{width}x.jpg?v=1682534439)
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![This hummingbird bracelet has the profile of a hummingbird's head facing the right in the center of the bracelet. The wings of the bird are on both sides.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/files/250150_{width}x.jpg?v=1682379186)
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![The center of this hummingbird bracelet has the profile of a hummingbird's head with a long, narrow beak facing the left and drinking out of a flower.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/253730b_{width}x.jpg?v=1677289735)
![Hummingbirds and morning glories bracelet hand-carved by Tlingit artist Fred Myra. Made of sterling silver. Bracelet is 6.25" long with 1.13" gap and has width of 1".](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_One_Inch_Hummingbirds_Morning_Glories_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1672258040)
![14K Gold 1/8" Orca, Hummingbird, and Wolf Bangle by Victoria Harper. The design depicts a hand carved flower in the center of the bracelet. To the right of the flower is the profile of a hummingbird's head facing towards the center. To the left of the flower there is a profile of an orca's head facing towards the center. The head of the wolf is located behind the hummingbird towards the back of the bangle.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Gold_One_Eighth_of_an_Inch_Orca_Hummingbird_Wolf_Bangle_{width}x.jpg?v=1671756053)
![Dazzling hummingbird cuff bracelet hand-carved by Indigenous artist Ivan Thomas. Made of sterling silver and 14K gold. Bracelet is 6.19" long with 0.69" gap and has width of 0.50".](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_Gold_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1671739815)
![Hummingbird cuff bracelet hand-carved by Indigenous artist Ivan Thomas. Made of sterling silver and 14K gold. Bracelet is 6.19" long with 0.75" gap and has width of 0.75".](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_Gold_Three_Quarters_of_an_Inch_Hummingbird_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1671736517)
![Double hummingbird clasp bracelet hand-carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Norman Seaweed. Made of sterling silver. Bracelet has circumference of 7.75" when clasped shut. The clasp design makes it fit like a smaller style bangle and can fit various wrist sizes. Bracelet has width of 0.38".](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Sterling_Silver_Double_Hummingbird_Clasp_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1662590129)
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![Hummingbird bracelet hand-carved by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Don Lancaster. Made of sterling silver. Bracelet is 6.15" long with 1" gap and has width of 0.50".](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/250200_{width}x.jpg?v=1660424297)
![Hummingbird and calla lily bracelet hand-carved by Tlingit artist Fred Myra and contemporary Canadian artist Arlene Howk. 14K gold hummingbirds carved by Fred and sterling silver bracelet carved by Arlene. Bracelet is 6.75" long with 0.75" gap and is 1.50" wide. Ends are tapered.](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_Gold_One_and_a_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Calla_Lily_Bracelet1_{width}x.jpg?v=1650313039)
![Gold and Silver 1/4" Hummingbird Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Gold_Silver_Quarter_Inch_Hummingbird_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1644955348)
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![Silver and Gold 1/2" Hummingbird Bangle](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_Gold_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Bangle_{width}x.jpg?v=1642629054)
![Silver and Gold 1/2" Hummingbird Baby Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/Silver_Gold_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Baby_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1642627981)
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![Hummingbird cuff bracelet hand-carved by Haisla artist Hollie Bartlett. Made of 14K gold. Bracelet is 6.25" long with 0.56" gap and has width of 0.50". The Hummingbird Legend Represents: BEAUTY, LOVE, HARMONY](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/14K_Gold_Half_Inch_Hummingbird_Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520803)
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![3/8 inches sterling silver Double Hummingbird Cuff Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/253599-3-8-Double-Hummingbird-Bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1639521252)
![1 inch sterling silver and 10K gold hummingbird amethyst cuff bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/341687-10kSS-Hummingbird-Amethyst-Cuff_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520562)
![14K Gold 1/4" Hummingbird Bangle](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/150204-Quarter-inch-14k-Gold-hummingbird-Bangle_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520807)
![14K Gold and Sterling Silver 1/2" Hummingbird Cuff Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/341659-14kSS-Hummingbird-Bracelet-Half-Inch_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520672)
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![1/2" Silver Hummingbird Bracelet](http://artinas.com/cdn/shop/products/252576-half-inch-hummingbird-bracelet_{width}x.jpg?v=1639520685)
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