When you think of fierce, strong, noble animals…ones that would be a perfect symbol of the supreme power wielded by an all-mighty Aztec god, you would probably consider a vicious bear, dangerous alligator, or regal jaguar. But for Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of the sun and war, the most powerful god in the Aztec mythology, the fiercest, mightiest spirit animal he could attach to was a surprise contender…the diminutive hummingbird.
The Aztecs believed that hummingbirds were the reincarnation of fallen warriors. When a warrior was killed in battle, he would return to Earth as a hummingbird, which the Aztec people referred to as ‘dart hurlers.’
Don’t let the small size fool you. Hummingbirds are one of the most aggressive of all the bird species. Fighting happens frequently among hummingbirds, even one of the same species. They fight over territory, food sources, and, of course, female hummingbirds. Male hummingbirds, experts tell us, fight more often over territory. Female hummingbirds fight to defend their nests. During battle, the diminutive hummingbird will stab its opponent with its dagger-like beak and claw at him using its razor-sharp talons.
https://curioushistorian.com/the-most-powerful-aztec-god-had-the-hummingbird-as-his-spirit-animal
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