Dragonflies are believed to have been on our planet for more than 300 million years. Therefore, these creatures played an important role in many ancient tribes’ beliefs. In this post, we will show you the Symbolism and Meaning of Dragonfly. Keep reading to find out.

About Dragonflies

Dragonflies and their family belong to Odonata. The name Odonata came from the Greek word for tooth because people once believed that Odonates had teeth. It is a verified fact now that Dragonflies don’t have ‘teeth’. However, they have strong mandibles that they use to crush their prey.

They also appeared in many legends associated with their taxonomic cousins – the Damselflies. The word Dragonfly also has its source in the myth that Dragonflies were once Dragons.

Dragonflies’ Meaning in various cultures

In Sweden

Folklore suggests that dragonflies come around us to check for bad souls and to judge souls to be more ‘accurate’. In some other regions, people believe in creepy stories that dragonflies will follow children who tell lies and adults who curse and scold. They come to punish them by stitching up their eyes, mouth, and ears respectively.

In Japan and China

On the other hand, to the Japanese, dragonflies symbolize summer and autumn. They are admired and respected all over the country. The Samurai use it as a symbol of power, agility, and victory.

In China, people associate the dragonfly with prosperity, harmony, and as a good luck charm.

In America

Dragonflies were believed to have been related to many ancient tribes’ deities. These small creatures were once their sacred totems. Amongst Native Americans, it is a sign of happiness, speed, and purity.

In Buddhism

Buddhist teachings connect dragonflies with life’s innermost truths. They signify the noble path man should take to attain true wisdom.

In Egyptian Culture

Admiring these insects for their darting speed, the Egyptians frequently depicted the symbol of the dragonfly on their shields, clothes, and personal adornments. They consider it best wishes to their soldiers who would fight in the war.

In many pagan cultures

Just like butterflies, dragonflies are looked upon as magical creatures. This is because both male and female dragonflies are armed with the capacity to change their color with age.

Dragonflies’ Symbolism

The Dragonfly also is a symbol of happiness, new beginnings, hope, change, and love. If a dragonfly appears in your dreams it means that a change is coming to you.

Maturity and a Depth of character

The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world, symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self-realization. This kind of change has its source in mental and emotional maturity as well as in the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.

The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.

Power and Poise

Other powerful meanings of the dragonfly are strength and adaptability. The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour. They can hover like a helicopter, fly backward straight up, down, and on either side like a hummingbird. What is mind-blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute.

Even mosquitoes or houseflies need to flap their wings 600 to 1000 times a minute respectively. The dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise. To human, this only comes only with age and maturity.

Enjoy every moment

The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. The adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing after that.

This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN every moment and enjoying life to the fullest. By doing that, you are aware of who you are, where you are, and what you want. It helps you make informed decisions basis on a moment-to-moment. You can live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.

If the dragonfly has special meaning to you, don’t hesitate to have one in your life. You can easily buy and place a beautiful dragonfly pop up card on your desk or in your workplace. You can also use it as a meaningful pop up birthday card for your friend or a creative learning product for kids.