Have you been seeing a lot of dragonflies buzzing around lately? Sometimes, they come in mating pairs tagging along each other’s tails and flying in spiral motions. Do you avoid them or do you sit up to watch?
Like butterflies and moths, dragonflies are some of the most symbolic insects in nature and may serve as a spirit animal for some people.
Dragonflies are ubiquitous insects that can be found in every part of the world. [1] There are over 320 known species in nature, each with unique coloration, and despite the interesting name, they have no relationships with dragons or mere flies.
With large, multifaceted eyes and strong transparent wings, they belong to the insect order of Odonata, which is the Greek word for “tooth.” For so long, these insects were believed to possess teeth but it has been verified that they do not. However, they have strong mandibles that can crush prey almost as well as teeth. These expert fliers were some of the earliest winged insects to evolve about 300 million years ago [2] With an average lifespan of 6 months, dragonflies live longer than most bugs in nature.
The spiritual significance of a dragonfly
Dragonflies are special insects that symbolize transformation, renewal, and positive change. [3] If you are starting to see a lot of these insects in your surroundings lately, the universe might be calling on you to gear up for a new awakening in your life. It’s time for the self-realization you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to reach within yourself and harness those potentials you’ve been keeping locked in for a long time. Time to grow in mental and emotional maturity and become an all-round better version of yourself.
Dragonflies often fly close to water and have a habit of dipping through the surface. This means that we should always look beyond the surface before we make a decision in life. Be a person of depth and quality. Strive to reach deeper than merely scratching the surface in whatever you do.
Adaptability and power
Dragonflies undergo an incomplete metamorphosis to reach their full potential as adults. Unlike most other insects, they do not have a pupal stage and would transition straight from larvae to adults. The females lay their eggs near calm waters and the nymphs have to make their way out of this habitat to thrive and survive.
For people who accept dragonflies as a totem, you’d have to be strong and adaptable to adversity. You must learn to adapt quickly and grow fast, otherwise, you may not reach your full potential. The frequent appearance of dragonflies in your surroundings might be a call to buckle up and get tough. A transformation is coming in your life and you have to be ready to face it head on.
Dragonflies have strong wings that reflect the colors of the universe in different lights. They are some of the powerful fliers in the insect kingdom and are known for the uncanny ability to move in all six directions. Regular insects such as mosquitoes and houseflies would have to flap their tiny wings about 600 to 1000 times per minute to achieve a reasonable flight distance. Dragonflies, on the other hand, only have to flap about 30 times a minute to achieve a 45 mile-per-hour flight.
Even better, these amazing insects still manage to blaze through the air with grace, poise, lightness and elegance. Dragonflies are an amazing representation of power in graceful creatures, and you can learn to embody these qualities. You too can be strong in and out, graceful all over, and determined to live life on a lighthearted note.
Watch this video for more information on these celestial insects.
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References
- ‘Dragonflies‘ National Geographic.
- ‘14 Fun Facts About Dragonflies‘ Smithsonian Mag Sarah Zielinski. Published October 5, 2011
- ‘What Does The Dragonfly Symbolize?‘ Thrive Global Nancy McKay. Published December 18, 2019
- ‘Life Cycle of a Dragonfly‘ Sciencing. Published April 19, 2018