Sometimes you stumble upon your own work and wonder, "What on earth was I thinking?" Recently, I came across a reference I of a character being a good fighter, like a hummingbird. Huh? A hummingbird? Really? What manner of research led me to make such a comparison?
The Research Rabbit Hole
Determined to unravel this mystery, I dug through my internet history, which was blank 😉. With some context clues, I was able to remember it had something to do with mesoamerica, and I eventually found the tidbit I had completely forgotten about. The Aztec god Huitzilopochtli (bless you), one of the most powerful deities, had the hummingbird as his spirit animal.
The Mighty Hummingbird
You might wonder, as I did initially, how a tiny, delicate creature like a hummingbird could be associated with power and fighting prowess. It turns out, the Aztecs saw the hummingbird as a symbol of vigor and determination. These little birds are incredibly fierce, defending their territory with relentless energy. Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the sun, embodied these qualities, making the hummingbird a fitting symbol.
Sometimes, you gotta do it for yourself
Writing is an ongoing journey of discovery and rediscovery. What starts as a curious research tangent can turn into a meaningful part of your story. Other times (like this one), it means nothing beyond the fact that I found it interesting.
So, next time you come across a confusing reference in your own work, take a moment to delve back into the research. You might find that past you was onto something brilliant all along.