The Dragonfly

At some point, after seeing them in my daughter-in-law's flower beds, out hiking, or somewhere without a date or a specific event, dragonflies began to fascinate me. At first I had no idea why, didn't know much about them, and mistook damselflies for dragonflies which is logical considering they are both odonatas. The difference, so far as I can tell (unless you are an entomologist) is, while resting, damselflies will neatly fold their wings alongside, more like a butterfly, but the dragonfly keeps its straight out to its side.

Researching them a bit online, I found many mistaken beliefs, the most common being that they only live a day after they begin to fly. Dragonflies can live to be as much as 7 years old; and yes, most of that lifespan is spent in the water as a nymph. Once they get their wings, they dry them out, test them, and then set about the rest of their life's work which is vociferously hunting and eating other insects like mosquitoes. The flight part of their lifespan may last 4 months if they aren't themselves eaten by something bigger.

To me they are beings of beauty and also challenge as they move so fast that getting photos until they alight is almost impossible; and then it is-- where did they go? Even harder is to get one of their faces. The closest I could come was a profile as this one would dart off whenever I got on the proper side to get a face shot. They have large eyes which makes them very observant.

In dreams, dragonflies symbolize magic, regeneration, the power of light, and of change. In Japanese paintings, they symbolize light and joy. To the Chinese they represent summer. Some cultures see them as linked to the devil and evil.

It's not hard to see why they would have spiritual symbolism. They begin their lives as an egg, spend most of it as a nymph swimming in a river, creek or pond. During this stage they are very active hunters. Nymphs grow by shedding their shells, shells that protect their lives in the pond; then something changes and at a certain point, not the same for all, they shed the last shell and their wings are revealed, ready for them to leave the only home they have ever known for a new world. They leave behind water for air-- although the females will return to the water to lay eggs.

Although butterflies do the same thing, transform from seeming to be one thing into another, the dragonfly is more analogous to our own spiritual change and growth. We also must shed emotional shells as we grow. It's not as though all shells are bad. They can serve a protective purpose, but they cannot be allowed to limit growth. As when the dragonflies tear away an outgrown shell, they are more vulnerable, so are we, but to grow we must do it. We don't always know where we are going with our new abilities but we must use them or lose them.

Their active life in one medium could seem to be all there is, but it isn't. Imagine how it must seem, spending all their lives in one pond, swimming, knowing their world; then suddenly it all changes because they have changed. Instinct triggers change for them, allows them to adapt to new realities, just as it can for us when we listen to our own inner voice instead of fighting against what will enable us to grow in new ways.


To me, this last photo is inspirational as I see the dragonfly arching its body, angling to one side ready to take flight.