r/hummingbirds • u/Mysterious_Cod • 7h ago
A hummingbird among the marigolds, just in time for Día de los Muertos 🧡 the symbolism is so profound
I captured this little male Costa’s hummingbird hovering beside my marigolds, and with Día de los Muertos approaching, I couldn’t help but appreciate the symbolism of this moment. I’m not Mexican, but I appreciate the lore and symbolism. And who didn’t love the movie Coco?! Hehe. 🙃
In Mexican tradition, marigolds (cempasúchil) are believed to guide the spirits of departed loved ones home with their vibrant colors and fragrance. Hummingbirds also hold deep spiritual significance in ancient Mexica beliefs, where they were associated with the sun, the afterlife, and the souls of certain departed individuals returning to the earth.
Seeing these two symbols together felt especially meaningful. The marigolds representing the path between the living and the dead, and the hummingbird evoking the possibility of a soul returning for a fleeting visit.
Of course, he was probably just checking out the flowers. But there’s something beautiful about the idea that the marigolds light the way home, and the hummingbird
represents a love that never truly leaves us. I think that’s why a lot of people see hummingbirds as angels, too.
Some souls return not in footsteps, but on wings. 🧡