Pre-Hispanic cultures saw the hummingbird not only as a bird with a beautiful iridescent composition of colors and peculiar flight, but also as it represented for them a mythological being that led the Aztecs to Aztlán. But the Aztecs were not the only ones who showed their interest in the smallest bird in the world, the Mayans also saw in it a special being, named xts’unu’um, it represented for them a bridge between gods and men, a being in charge of communicating the wishes of the gods to the earthly inhabitants of the Mayan culture. This is why behind birds hides a very emotional Mayan legend that unites them with humans.
The hummingbird is a bird native to America where it is known in different ways as myrtle-hopper, hummingbird, tucusitos, huitzitzilin (in Nahuatl) and xts’unu’um (in Mayan). There are different species of hummingbirds that enchant with their colors that reflect sunlight and constantly change shades depending on the angle of incidence, a phenomenon we know as iridescence. In Mexico alone, it is possible to observe up to 57 different species of myrtlesuckers that extend throughout its territory.
Admiring them is undoubtedly one of the most sublime views that nature can give us. Whether because of their small body that has the ability to fly in all directions, because of their rainbow colors or because of their magical song, hummingbirds make us forget about everything negative. Perhaps this is why one of the most beautiful Mayan legends of pre-Hispanic culture hides behind them.
*Credits: Chris Spencer.
The legend of the hummingbird
Legend has it that when they created the world and everything that lives in it, the Mayan gods gave each animal, each tree and each stone with a special mission. That is why each natural element plays an important function on Mother Earth even if humans are not able to see it.
When they completed their task of distributing missions, they suddenly realized that one of the most important functions was left over, that of transporting wishes and good thoughts from one place to another. However, the mud and corn with which they gave life to all other beings had ended. The only thing they saw very close to them was a beautiful jade stone, so they decided to carve it to create the wish bearer.
The stone was small but the gods still decided to carve it in the shape of an arrow to create the one in charge of conveying good wishes. Once it was ready, the deities let out a breath and suddenly, a winged animal whose wings reflected all the colors of light, emerged with its enchanting flight.
It was light and fragile, but very bold to approach without even moving a single petal. Over time, men became enchanted with the hummingbird and began to chase it to obtain its plumage as an ornament, but the fact greatly bothered the gods, who threatened to punish anyone who dared to touch the beautiful hummingbird. This is why no one is able to trap a hummingbird to keep it deprived of its freedom in a cage.
*Credits: Chris Spencer.
Legend also says that if a hummingbird approaches you, it is because it brings good wishes or thoughts from someone else. It is even believed that if a small bird of this nature flies above your head, it is because it is taking your wishes to make them come true. They are also believed to carry a message of love, so the next time you see a hummingbird perhaps it is because someone else sent their love and good wishes through it.