Dragonflies are common insects with compound eyes, two transparent wings, 6 legs, and long body. They are harmless insect, since they don’t bite or sting humans. These insects are one of the best flying animals, because they can fly at fast speeds and they can propel themselves in six directions; upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side.
They lay their eggs on water (even the dirtiest water) since their larvae (nymphs) are aquatic. Dragonflies spend most of their life in the larvae stage, about 3 years. Then, after the metamorphosis phase, dragonflies get their wings; however they only live for a few weeks.
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| Dragonfly "Nymphs" |
Usually, we watch dragonflies flying gracefully around, however what do dragonflies eat? Dragonflies are agile predators to other insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, bees, ands, and sometimes butterflies. A fun fact here – A dragonfly can eat equal to its own weight in about 30 minutes. Dragonflies’ larvae are even dangerous predator, with the size of 18-49 mm; they could eat tadpoles and little fishes
Dragonfly symbolize some meanings in the world, here are some of dragonfly symbolism:
- 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; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and 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
The dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise - something that comes only with age and maturity.
The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side. What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively.
The awe inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer. If this is not a brazen, lazy, overkill in terms of display of raw power, what is?
- Defeat of Self Created Illusions
The dragonfly exhibits iridescence both on its wings as well as on its body. Iridescence is the property of an object to show itself in different colors depending on the angle and polarization of light falling on it.
This property is seen and believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the realities of life. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means self discovery and removal of inhibitions.
- Focus on living ‘IN’ the 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. This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.
This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.
- The opening of one’s eyes
The eyes of the dragonfly are one of the most amazing and awe inspiring sights. Given almost 80% of the insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight and the fact that it can see in all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self. It also in a manner of speaking symbolizes a man/woman’s rising from materialism to be able to see beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own minds.
References:
Ulio. (2009). Some facts about Dragonflies. Retrieved from http://www.stumblerz.com/some-facts-about-dragonflies/
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2010) Dragonfly. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonfly
Butterfly&NatureStore. (2006). The Meaning of a Dragonfly: What Does a Dragonfly Symbolize? Retrieved from http://www.dragonfly-site.com/meaning-symbolize.html
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