There are different meanings on what Dragonflies represent depending on the culture. But mostly Dragonflies symbolize freedom and change and being okay with change.
Native American Cultures and Dragonflies
In Native American cultures, the dragonfly spirit means one must consciously make an effort to express their hopes, dreams, needs and wishes. The dragonfly spirit is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world. Its medicine beckons people to seek out the parts of their habits which need changing. One can turn to the dragonfly to guide them through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation.
Zuni Indian Culture and Dragonflies
Here’s a story found that also signifies the Dragonfly meaning:
The Dragonfly Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever. Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!
Many other cultures believe that dragonflies bring in winds of change, strength and survivability so the next time a dragonflies flits around give pause to consider the important things in life.
Sherry Jackson - My articles have been featured in InfoWorld Magazine, Entrepreneur.com, USA Today, Jetsetter.com, Bootsnall.com, Gadling and many ...
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