When You See a Hummingbird, Remember This

There’s a saying shared across Mexico and Guatemala that goes,
“When the soul flies, it disguises itself as a hummingbird.”

It’s a phrase filled with mystery, beauty, and hope. Across the artisan communities we partner with, the hummingbird — or colibrí — is more than just a tiny bird. It’s a messenger of love, a symbol of resilience, and a gentle reminder that even small things can hold incredible power.

The Message of the Hummingbird

In many Latin American cultures, the hummingbird is believed to carry the spirits of loved ones who have passed away. When one appears, it’s said that a loved one is near, sending love or comfort from beyond.

Among the Maya, hummingbirds were seen as messengers between humans and the gods. The Aztecs believed they carried the spirits of warriors and lovers, symbols of strength and devotion.

At Lumily, we see that same spirit reflected in the hands of our women artisans — quick, graceful, and full of purpose.

What the Hummingbird Means to Our Artisans

For the women we work with in Mexico and Guatemala, the hummingbird represents hope, endurance, and connection.

One of our artisans, Rosa from Chiapas, once shared:

That belief carries through her beadwork, where bright blues and greens capture the shimmer of a hummingbird’s wings. To her, each piece is not just jewelry, it’s a way to share love and memory through color and craft.

Every handmade design tells a story, and sometimes, that story takes flight.

Handmade, Like the Hummingbird

The more you learn about the hummingbird, the easier it is to see why it feels so connected to handmade craft.

✨ Both are delicate yet powerful
✨ Both move quickly and purposefully
✨ Both exist to bring color, energy, and beauty into the world

Each Lumily piece, like the hummingbird itself, is impossible to mass-produce. Every stitch, bead, and knot carries the rhythm of a woman’s hands and her culture’s heartbeat.

To be handmade is to be human, and that’s what makes each creation so extraordinary.

A Flight of Meaning

For our artisans, the hummingbird isn’t just a design — it’s a piece of their history and heart. You can see it woven into textiles, beaded into jewelry, and stitched into the stories they share.

📹 Watch how our artisans honor the hummingbird in their craft HERE

When You See a Hummingbird...

Next time you see a hummingbird, pause for a moment. Watch how it moves, how it hovers, how it shines.

Remember that in many parts of the world, it’s seen as a visit from love itself — a reminder that beauty and strength often come in small, fleeting moments.

And maybe, just maybe, it’s a sign from the universe to stay curious, keep creating, and carry joy wherever you go.

So if a hummingbird flutters by, pause. Let it remind you of something deeper — the quiet power of women who create, who rise, who carry culture in their hands. Just like the hummingbird, our artisan partners move with intention, strength, and lightness, even in a world that often asks them to be invisible.

Every piece they make is a heartbeat. A prayer. A burst of color that says, “I was here.”

We’re honored to share their work with you. Not just because it’s beautiful (it is), but because behind every woven thread and beaded pattern is a woman who’s rewriting her story — on her own terms.