Bird tattoos are one of the most attractive and versatile ideas. Hummingbirds are some of the most popular designs when it comes to animal tattoos. They can be subtle and classic, bold, and bright, or recreate nautical traditions.
Hummingbird tattoos have a history and a deep meaning. They have lots of deep meanings that connect to strength, overcoming difficulties and love. If you plan on getting a hummingbird tattoo, read through this article to get a better understanding at the true meaning behind these inspiring creatures.
50+ Stunning Hummingbird Tattoo Design Ideas
Need some inspiration for your next hummingbird tattoo? This little bird is incredibly versatile and looks good on everyone. Check out our 15 favorite designs and discover the meaning behind them.
Abstract Hummingbird Tattoo
An abstract hummingbird tattoo is a unique way to present the meaningful little bird. Abstract tattoos are usually very colorful and can incorporate other designs like flowers and plants. This style can make a bold impact, whether you choose to have a big or a small design.
Minimalist Hummingbird Tattoo
If you want a tattoo that is small and subtle yet still makes an impact, try out a minimalist hummingbird tattoo design. Because these birds are so small and delicate, they perfectly suit this tattoo style. They can be placed almost anywhere on the body from on the wrist to behind the ear.
A Flock of Hummingbirds Tattoo
A flock of hummingbirds can follow and flatter the shape of your body. They can be anything from the little lines to detailed hummingbird designs. The whole flock can be the same size or can be a mix of big or small birds. They are most popular in black and white but can also be inked in a range of colors. This unisex design looks amazing on the chest, back, or the side of the body.
Watercolor Hummingbird Tattoos
Tattoos are a form of art, so enjoy a classic watercolor hummingbird design. Using a range of bright or pastel colors with a hummingbird can give it a sense of movement. This tattoo will embody a sense of freedom and a wild spirit as the colors are splashed across your skin.
Cartoon Hummingbird Tattoos
If you’re still a child at heart with a love of cartoons, opt for a cartoon hummingbird tattoo. This larger-than-life design has bright colors and exaggerated features. Let your imagination go wild with this bright tattoo style, it can be as detailed or as crazy as you want it to be. Your hummingbird could be dressed up in human clothing, be painted a crazy color or could have human characteristics.
Dimensional Hummingbird Tattoos
This dimensional hummingbird tattoo is one of the trendiest and most modern designs of inking. This style uses geometric patterns and dot work to create a hummingbird shape. It’s unisex and often small in shape, either in black and white or with bold impactful colors. This tattoo design is usually quicker to tattoo, as it rarely has any shading detail.
Single Needle Hummingbird Tattoo
A unique but effective hummingbird tattoo can be recreated in one single needle. Most tattoos are achieved using multiple needles, but by using one single needle it gives a unique pencil-drawn effect. Enjoy a unique artsy finish that can be quickly executed when choosing a single needle hummingbird tattoo.
Traditional Hummingbird Tattoos
Because of their ability to travel long distance and their free-spirited nature, hummingbirds have long been admired by sailors. Hummingbirds represent the hold fast nautical mentality. Old school traditional tattoos, someone called American traditional, use minimal lines and basic colors, often incorporating with banners and nautical motifs.
Tribal Hummingbird Tattoos
Tribal hummingbird tattoos may look simple; but they have a bold and dramatic appearance. This tattoo style is created using bold black inked strokes to form a tribal inspired hummingbird design. These strokes are usually shaped like circles or swirls that perfectly curl around your body’s contours. This tattoo is ideal if you want to embrace your ancestry and enjoy a hummingbird design.
Origami Hummingbird Tattoos
The art of folding paper is a huge cultural export from Japan. Origami tattoos are traditionally cranes but look equally as attractive when using hummingbirds for the design. This style is distinctive and makes the ideal small but unique hummingbird tattoo. Origami tattoos can be monochrome, or you could play with authentic Japanese colors like pink and greens.
Steampunk Hummingbird Tattoo
If you’re a steampunk enthusiast, this style makes a fantastic hummingbird tattoo design. This design of a steampunk hummingbird is usually grayscale and features mechanical parts. This tattoo style embraces classic mechanical parts with a science fiction twist. Steampunk designs can let your imagination run wild, incorporating different cogs, clocks and wheels into the hummingbird inking.
Embroidery Hummingbird Tattoos
Embroidery tattoos are rich, textured designs where the ink looks like it has been sewn into the skin. This gives the hummingbird tattoos a multi-dimensional appearance as they appear to pop out the skin. An embroidery hummingbird tattoo is unique, smart and is ideal for delicate small inkings. Embroidery tattoos can also be made to look like cross stitch with the design made out of x shapes.
Realistic Hummingbird Tattoo
If you love hummingbirds enough to get them inked into your skin forever, you may want to embrace their natural beauty. Realistic hummingbird designs embrace their natural beauty, their rich colors and their elegant movement. These designs can be teamed with realistic scenery, including water and flowers.
Neo Traditional Hummingbird Tattoo
Neo-traditional is a bold evolution of the traditional style. It has pronounced linework and vibrant colors, with an illustrative quality. Hummingbird neo-traditional tattoos are influenced by Art Nouveau and Art Deco aesthetics with a broad color palette and decorative details. This design lends itself to animals like hummingbirds and is sure to make a statement.
Hummingbird and Flowers
If you’re a fan of color, adding floral detail to your hummingbird tattoo could be ideal. Hummingbirds and flowers are friends, since this specie of bird is one of nature’s greatest pollinators. Popular flowers include hibiscus which symbolizes femininity and youthful beauty, rose tattoos which are associated with romantic love or cherry blossom which short life symbolizes living for the moment.
Flowers can be added to any of the above styles for a full statement piece. They can be added into the background, or have your hummingbird sit right on top of the flower.
Hummingbird Tattoo Meaning
Hummingbird tattoos hold lots of meaning in lots of different cultures. Hummingbirds are popular in South American culture; they are perceived to be a symbol of life and resurrection. Many South Americans believe that hummingbirds are messengers sent from above. In legend, they carried a message from Earth to God asking for rain.
The ancient Aztecs believed that hummingbirds were a sign of reincarnation. Religious leaders and royalties would decorate their bodies with bird’s feathers. People from Jamaican and Mexican culture perceived the hummingbird as a lovebird. The hummingbird is the national bird of Jamaica. The Cherokee people believe that the hummingbird brought tobacco products to their people.
The Shamanic communities consider hummingbirds as a messenger of love, positivity and happiness, as well as bringing good luck. They believed that hummingbirds help overcome life’s negativities and can bring hopefulness. As the bird travel great distances, they are resistant animals.
Hummingbirds also symbolize freedom, and many people get a tattoo of a hummingbird in flight to symbolize this. Hummingbirds also represent survival to many, as although small in size this bird is very brave. If you are struggling and having a hard time in life, a hummingbird may remind you that you are strong no matter how small you feel.
The reasons that hummingbirds are unique and one of the most popular tattoo designs, is because they can fly in all directions. Often with beautiful vibrant colours, they are small and delicate yet incredibly free.
Because hummingbirds move their wings in a sideways figure-eight shape, they are often associated with infinity. Various cultures use hummingbird tattoos to celebrate love. Some people even write the names of their partner on the hummingbird tattoo to strengthen the bond.
Hummingbird Tattoo: More FAQ
How much will a hummingbird tattoo cost?
The cost of a hummingbird tattoo depends on the size and intricacies of the tattoo. If want a small simple hummingbird tattoo without too many details, it will cost you around $50 to $100. More extravagant and larger hummingbird tattoos may cost around $150 to $250. The size isn’t as important as the time it takes to complete the tattoo design. To get an accurate price, visit a tattoo parlor as every artist and parlor has their own rate.
Which celebrities have hummingbird tattoos?
Hummingbird tattoos are common but not overly popular with celebrities. Many stars have them to honor special people in their life.
Kelis has a hummingbird tattoo on her upper stomach. British model Lily Cole has a brushstroke hummingbird design on her right ribcage. Zelda Williams has a hummingbird inked onto her right hand, and Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland has a minimalist design behind her ear. Busy Phillips has a hummingbird tattooed on her lower arm to celebrate her daughter, Bird. Scrubs actor Zach Braff added a hummingbird to his tattoo collection, in memory of his friend Nick Cordero.
Country singer Maren Morris has a multicolored hummingbird tattoo on her inner left arm. She has explained that it represents the Gibson Hummingbird guitar, which was an 18th birthday present from her parents.
How do I care for my hummingbird tattoo?
Aftercare plays a large role in ensuring your hummingbird tattoo stays looking its best for longer. How you care for your new tattoo will depend on where on the body it is placed.
Your tattoo should be cleaned three to four hours after being tattooed to get rid of any excess ink. Ensure you only clean your new hummingbird tattoo with mild and alcohol-free soap and clean the area with lukewarm water. Be gentle in your movements, always using a circular motion. Dry the tattooed skin by dabbing a clean, dry cloth over it. Never rub a tattoo dry.
Be careful to place clothing or anything that can cause friction. Clothes rubbing on a tattoo can make it harder to heal. You must also be careful when sleeping, especially if your tattoo is on an area you sleep on (like a back, arm or leg).
As your tattoo artist for advice on how to preserve your tattoo for longer. Once the healing is complete, your tattoo will look beautiful and stay looking vibrant for longer. The healing time will generally take a couple of weeks to a month.
Read More:Tattoo Aftercare Instructions: How To Take Care Of A Tattoo?
Do different color hummingbirds represent different things?
Yes, colors are very important when it comes to hummingbird tattoos. The hummingbird has over colorful and attractive 330 species, so it isn’t difficult to find a hummingbird that has your favorite color. In hummingbird tattoos, each color has a different meaning and symbology.
Here are what common shades symbolize.
- It is linked to thoughtfulness and introspection. Blue is often used to represent overcoming the deepest fears and insecurities.
- This shade symbolizes inspiration and hard work. It is often connected to positive spiritual energy and a happy love life.
- A green hummingbird tattoo symbolizes growth and prosperity. It also signifies new initiatives, health, and success. It is a sign of positivity, beauty, and intelligence.
- This color may seem somber, but it actually symbolizes rebirth and a spiritual transformation. Many people who overcome setbacks, connect with black hummingbirds.
- The color white always signals birth or new beginnings, this is no different when it comes to hummingbirds.
Can men and women get hummingbird tattoos?
Yes! It’s definitely a more popular design on women, but many men also get hummingbirds tattooed on them. Because hummingbirds suit so many different design styles, they equally look good on men and women.
Where can I place my hummingbird tattoo?
Hummingbird tattoo designs look amazing wherever you place them. Because they are so versatile and suit so many different types of styles, so can suit lots of different areas of the body. Placement will depend on the size and design of the inking. Hummingbirds can be altered to suit your body by altering the size of the wings, shortening the beak, or changing the size of the body.
To get a large hummingbird design, you need to get it in n place with ample room like your chest or back. Upper arms and thighs are also a popular option. For smaller designs, wrist, ankle and neck are the most commonly place. Of course, you can get a tattoo anywhere you like as there are no rules.
Here are some of our favorite spots to get hummingbird tattoos.
For Women:
Neck
Ankle
Wrist
Shoulder blade
Stomach
Back
Lower arm
For Men:
Chest
Biceps
Legs
Neck
Forearms
