Stencil

I chose a hummingbird stencil for my sketchbook cover. The image didn't come out perfectly because it was the first time I did a stencil, but I like the result anyway. Hummingbirds have a few different meanings for me. I know that in Aztec mythology they were a symbol of strength. Specifically, the Mexica believed that the souls of dead warriors were reincarnated as hummingbirds. I find it inspiring that such a fragile little bird was such an important symbol of strength and fearlessness in Aztec culture. I also like the contrast between this ancient belief and the modern conception of birds as "cute" and "feminine" in popular art and advertisement. From personal observation, I know that hummingbirds are extremely territorial and that they will attack birds and other animals that are much larger than them. I can understand why the Aztecs considered them fearless. Finally, a cool fact about hummingbirds is that they only exist in the Americas.