‘Tis the season of the chuparosa, or hummingbird.
Our recent guests at The Grand Hacienda, visiting all the way from Amsterdam, told us that they loved watching the hummingbirds outside. We were happy to explain that in New Mexico, we have 17 different species of hummingbirds, and you can see many of those species in the spring and fall as they migrate. We are blessed that they love to hang out outside our windows – creating a show better than TV.
Hummingbirds are so small – the tiniest birds in the avian world. And, they are quite simply - amazing. Their wings flap between 50 and 200 times per SECOND. Their hearts beat more than 1,200 beats PER MINUTE. Compare that to you and me – our hearts only beat between 65 and 100 times per minute (at rest). They take about 250 breaths per minute. Crazy fast and small creatures.
But it isn’t the “fun facts” about hummingbirds that is most meaningful. Rather, it’s the symbolism and meaning these creatures carry in our culture here in New Mexico. We are blessed to live in an area with strong Native American and Mexican cultures - and both cultures hold hummingbirds as symbolically important.
In Native American culture, hummingbirds are healers – they bring healing and help to others. In that way, they also symbolize good luck to those who see the bird. In some pueblos, hummingbirds also represent fire.
In our Mexican cultures, hummingbirds are great communicators and bring good intentions from one person to another. So you are lucky if a hummingbird flutters around you – it means the bird is carrying good thoughts and positive messages to you from someone else in this world or in the after world. If a hummingbird is close, be sure to think good thoughts and send intentions to your loved ones.
“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, ever personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.” - Papyrus
It’s fitting that so many hummingbirds float around The Grand Hacienda – spreading joy, peace and good intentions. So next time a hummingbird flies around you – think good thoughts, send positive messages and sit back and watch miracles happen.
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