I got a hummingbird tattoo last spring. It sits on my left collarbone, just above my heart. It’s about two inches wide, with teal wings and a little ruby throat. It looks like it’s mid-flight, sipping air. Funny thing—I wanted it tiny at first. Like, postage-stamp tiny. But tiny lines blur over time. My artist, Mia, talked me into a size that would age well. I’m glad she did. I still wanted delicate, and it still feels light.
Another perspective on how a small hummingbird design can carry outsized symbolism can be found in this detailed breakdown if you’d like extra inspiration.
Why I chose a hummingbird
I’d been worn out from work. I kept saying, “I’ll rest later.” Later never came. A hummingbird shows up at my mom’s window every summer. It stops, hovers, and sort of says, “Here. Now. Sweet things exist.” That stuck with me. So I picked a bird that never really lands, but also somehow rests in the air. It felt like me, and not like me, at the same time.
Here’s the thing. Joy was the point, but grit was the fuel. Hummingbirds are tiny, but they’re tough. They cross miles with a heart that beats like a drum roll. I needed that reminder.
What it means day to day
- On hard mornings, I see the wings in the mirror. I breathe slower. Two beats. Then coffee.
- A woman in line at the grocery store asked about it. She shared how her aunt loved hummingbirds and how seeing one felt like a hello. We both smiled. Kind of teary, not sad.
- My brother got one on his calf after his first triathlon. Plain black, fine lines. He said, “It looks fast.” He’s right. Even when it’s still, it looks fast.
A quick nod to stories and roots
I grew up in New Mexico. Feeders hang from porches there like little rubies. My grandma said hummingbirds bring joy to a house that keeps flowers watered. Some friends from the Caribbean tell me they’re seen as messengers. Folks in Mexico say they carry love. Not everyone sees the same thing. But many people see hope, or a visit, or a promise. I keep that in mind. I wear mine with respect.
For anyone curious about just how many layers of symbolism cultures have woven into these birds, this comprehensive guide to hummingbird tattoo meanings lays it out beautifully.
The session, for the curious
Mia used a rotary machine. The hum was low and steady. Collarbone stings a bit when the needle hits bone. Not the worst spot I’ve had, but not a breeze either. She lined it first, then packed in color. A dot of white ink on the beak and eye made it pop.
We wrapped it with Saniderm. I used Hustle Butter after the first few days. It peeled around day five. No itch drama, just light flaking. For a realistic look at what the scabbing stage actually feels and looks like, this honest review on tattoo scabbing helped me temper expectations.
I kept it out of the sun and skipped the gym steam room. Yeah, I missed it, but healed skin beats a touch-up.
For more insights on finding stellar artists and making the journey to your next piece memorable, visit Tattoo Road Trip before you pack your bags.
Color or black? I’ve tried both
I thought I needed color. Then I saw a black fine-line version on my friend’s wrist. It looked so clean. So now I have color on my collarbone and a tiny black outline near my ankle. The black one is easier to hide. The color one makes me smile louder. Both work. Just different moods.
If you’re leaning toward another winged classic, this thoughtful write-up on butterfly tattoos and their layered meanings offers a great side-by-side comparison.
Where placement gets tricky
Wings need space. If you tuck them into a tiny area, lines can clump in a few years. Wrists and fingers fade faster. Ribs hurt more. Shoulder blade works well if you like a soft glide look. I almost put mine behind my ear. Cute, but too small for the detail I wanted. So collarbone won.
Pros and cons from living with it
Pros:
- It pairs well with flowers, dates, or a short phrase.
- It looks good in motion. Tops with wide necklines show it off.
- People who like birds, joy, or endurance get it right away.
Cons:
- Color needs sunscreen. Bright teal will dull without care.
- Super tiny line work can blur. It’s physics and skin.
- Some folks will ask to touch. Say no if you want. I do.
What I’d change now
I might add a little wildflower stem under the beak. Maybe a tiny sage bloom. Not too much. Just a whisper. I also would have brought a reference of a real local species. My artist did great, but picking a specific bird—like a broad-tailed—adds meaning and better color choices.
Meanings that feel true (to me, and to many)
- Joy that shows up even when you’re tired
- Toughness in a small body
- A visit from someone you miss
- Love that travels far
- The sweet spot: work and rest, both
Curious how historians and folklorists trace these themes across time? This HowStuffWorks article on hummingbird tattoo symbolism dives into the origin stories and modern takes.
Tips if you’re thinking about one
- Bring photos of real hummingbirds, not just art. It helps with wings and beak shape.
- Go a touch bigger than you think. Future-you will thank you.
- Test placement with a temporary tattoo. Inkbox works fine for that.
- Ask for line weights that won’t melt together with time.
- Budget for color and a future touch-up. Mine ran about mid-range and felt fair.
- Keep aftercare simple: gentle wash, light ointment, clean sheets, no pool. Sunscreen, always.
If you’re the kind of person who loves showing fresh ink to an online crowd and wants to understand which live-cam platforms actually treat performers well, this no-fluff LiveJasmin review breaks down the site’s payouts, traffic quality, and safety features so you can decide whether it’s the right stage for debuting your new art.
For those in the Midwest who’d rather share their hummingbird in person, one option is the art-friendly meetup listings on Backpage Romeoville, which highlight pop-up flash days, local artist guest spots, and community hangouts—perfect for finding spontaneous sessions or comparing winged ink over coffee.
Final take
You know what? A hummingbird tattoo looks cute. It also carries weight. Mine says, “Keep going, but taste the sweet stuff.” Some days it’s a nudge. Some days it’s a lifeline. Either way, it’s my small bird with a big job—and it shows up. Every single time.