Spiritual Symbols: Butterfly and Dragonfly
The butterfly and the dragon fly have similar spiritual significance so I am including both in this article.
The butterfly, through it's metamorphosis from the caterpillar, symbolizes rebirth and the soul. To the Chinese, it symbolizes immortality as well as joy and leisure. To the Japanese, a geisha or a vain woman while a white one is considered a spirit of someone dead. Butterflies are often used in art as symbols for female energy, homosexuality, sensuality, temptation, marriage, death and good luck as well as rebirth and immortality. It is also a symbol of creativity and freedom.
The dragonfly can symbolize swiftness, activity and whirlwinds, but, like the butterfly, it also symbolizes rebirth and immortality. They also symbolize transformation and adaptation. When mating, dragonflies form a heart shape so they are also a symbol of love. They symbolize our ability to transform ourselfs through a spiritual awakening. The dragonfly has a less than friendly reputation historically though. Some old European names for them are "devil's needle", "hobgoblin needle" and "water witch". Some strange tales evolved about dragonflies. In some places, they were believed to be able to sew eyes shut. In others, to puncture your eardrum if they got into your ears. All of these strange tales are untrue. So if you see a dragonfly in an unusual place or setting, it is probably a good symbol meaning luck, transformation, or spiritual awakening.
A final word on butterflies. A lot of people speculate, or just wonder, where the name comes from. The answer is simple. In England, where the english name comes from, the most common butterfly is a small one with pale yellow wings. It also is oddly attracted to the scent of milk. So you can imagine back a hundred years ago, seeing a women out on the porch churning butter in an old wooden butter churn, and several of the yellow insects are fluttering around. So naturally, they got named "butterflies".
The butterfly, through it's metamorphosis from the caterpillar, symbolizes rebirth and the soul. To the Chinese, it symbolizes immortality as well as joy and leisure. To the Japanese, a geisha or a vain woman while a white one is considered a spirit of someone dead. Butterflies are often used in art as symbols for female energy, homosexuality, sensuality, temptation, marriage, death and good luck as well as rebirth and immortality. It is also a symbol of creativity and freedom.
The dragonfly can symbolize swiftness, activity and whirlwinds, but, like the butterfly, it also symbolizes rebirth and immortality. They also symbolize transformation and adaptation. When mating, dragonflies form a heart shape so they are also a symbol of love. They symbolize our ability to transform ourselfs through a spiritual awakening. The dragonfly has a less than friendly reputation historically though. Some old European names for them are "devil's needle", "hobgoblin needle" and "water witch". Some strange tales evolved about dragonflies. In some places, they were believed to be able to sew eyes shut. In others, to puncture your eardrum if they got into your ears. All of these strange tales are untrue. So if you see a dragonfly in an unusual place or setting, it is probably a good symbol meaning luck, transformation, or spiritual awakening.
A final word on butterflies. A lot of people speculate, or just wonder, where the name comes from. The answer is simple. In England, where the english name comes from, the most common butterfly is a small one with pale yellow wings. It also is oddly attracted to the scent of milk. So you can imagine back a hundred years ago, seeing a women out on the porch churning butter in an old wooden butter churn, and several of the yellow insects are fluttering around. So naturally, they got named "butterflies".
Dear Rev Harold ~
My own husband, Harold, was in a ministerial program when he became ill and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died this past August. Since then, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as cranes, eagles and hawks, have been appearing in the strangest places when I am outside and least expecting them. I feel these strongly as spirit connections with my loved one. Very synchronously I went to your blog and explanation of dragonfly and butterfly symbolism since you are a reverend and named Harold.
Blessings,
Jenna
Reply to this
Dear Jenna,
Glad to be of help. Birds, especially unusual ones, are considered messengers of God.
Reply to this
One more thing...I came back here to subscribe to your blog after reading more of your entries.
Jenna
Reply to this
Jenna,
Thanks for subscribbing. It does help improve the ratings for a blog on rating services like technorati.
Reply to this
My dog died this morning & 2 hrs later a dragonfly was flying inside my house. I believe it was a sign that she is okay. This is such a hard time for me & it gives me some comfort to have something to believe in. Thank you for the comforting article!
Reply to this
Animals do have spirits and spirits never die.
When my dog died years ago, a conselor at my churche advised me to plant a tree in his memory. I didn't have room for another tree so I planted a shrub instead and I've done the same with other dogs. It doesn't seem like it would, but it does give you some comfort having a living reminder of them. If you don't have a yard, even a house plant will do.
Reply to this
My precious Aunt died last week on the day she passed over I was gifted to see an eagle flying overhead a strange occurrence flying low, yesterday 4 days later and after her funeral a dragonfly appeared close to my family who were sitting having a drink & seemed to hold its position near us for probably 60 seconds.... I knew it was my aunty Kaye, I give thanks for the wonderful gifts. me
Reply to this
My sympathy at the lost of your aunt. When bishop Savoy, founder of the International Community of Christ was cremated, several eagles circled the area. This is symbolic of one being welcomed into higher realms.
Reply to this
We are part of a small committee in our church that are making Chrismons (Christ + Monogram = symbols for Christ) for our Alter Christmas tree for this coming Christmas. We made some butterfly's and were wondering if the dragonfly had a religious significance. Now we know, thanks to your beautiful explanation. I like the spirit of your blog and have subscribed. I look forward to your uplifting insights.
Donna
Reply to this
Thanks for your comment and welcome to my blog. I can tell from the statistics that people are reading it, but I can't tell if they find it useful, or at least interesting so I always appreciate comments.
Reply to this
Thanks so much for taking the time to post this...it has given me some additional information that puts some light on on both of these insects. Outside my living room window is quite a unique space with a healthy bird and animal population but there are really a LOT of white butterflies. I knew they had spiritual significance somehow...and just a few days ago, watched one of the most enormous dragonflies I've ever seen light on a door handle for several seconds and seemed very aware of me. Anyway, sorry to ramble on here...really enjoyed the article. Blessings, Nick
Reply to this
Hi Reverend Harold,
I was directed to this site by Divine Intervention. My daughter, lives in another state and called to ask me what does it mean if a Butterfly lands on you and stays for a while. Or when Dragonflies are circling over you head and keep close to you and appear often at different locations and time of the day.
I told her I thought it was related to New beginnings or new birth and very auspicious. As a result of Google search I was able to choose your site for further input.
Very interesting and informative. Members of our family have often seen the Yellow Belly Hawk or other Hawks, when a loved one passes away The morning of my children's fathers' passing on...while driving on a crowded freeway in California, a HAWK swooped down directly almost striking the windshield..at that moment...I knew their Dad who had been very ill, was gone. The Hawk got eye contact with me and shot straight up toward the sky!
After reading about the spirit of the animal and how you related it to those who have gone on, I really found myself wanting to make this comment.
It was most almost as though the Creator lead me to your interpretation. My daughter, does not have a computer so I will be excited to read your article to her. Be blessed in all you do, Cathy
Reply to this
Dear Cathy,
I'm glad that you were inspired by this post. I hope I can continue to inspire you and your daughter as you continue to grow spiritually.
Reply to this
Mahalo for your swift answer to our comment. My daughter, was so delighted to have your input and is still experiencing the presence of dragonflies...a plenty! She asked me if you have any printed books at this time. She would like to check them out at her local library. Aloha, Cathy
Reply to this
I don't have a book specifically about butterfly and dragonfly symbology. I do have a good book on symbols that is usually where I start my research. It's titled: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols by J C Cooper. I then search a number of web sites that have additional information about symbols.
Reply to this
This is a beautiful and understandable version of what I have been searching for. My 16 year-old daughter passed away in March of this year. Although I had always associated hummingbirds with the spirit of my favorite uncle who passed on when I was a child, I was sure of what I had been seeing lately was in fact a sign from my daughter. A large black and yellow butterfly has been seen fluttering around my mother's garden, in different areas of the city and around us at the cemetery when I go to visit her. A few times it has been two hummingbirds together, the hummingbird and the butterfly and just two days ago, two of the same type and color butterflies flying over us at the cemetery. I feel it is both of them as it si no wonder that they would find eachother and walk together now. Thank you for reaffirming my beliefs and my soul's knowledge of the truth.
Reply to this
Linda,
I'm pleased that my article helped with your understanding of these spiritual symbols.
Reply to this
A dragon fly came into my home a few days ago and was hanging around the washroom area and where i iron my clothes.. but i was to scared and let it be.. and i didnt want to spray it with insecticide cause i hate killing those kinda things that seems much ado nothing.. so i told myself.. it may die in a couple of days.. and so it move from wall to wall space to space.. and then i didnt see it again .. today i looked behind the counter in the room and there it was dead.. so i dont know.. i googled dragonflies and the significance about them and saw this.. what do you think.. Reverend Harold?
Reply to this
Zabina,
It's difficult to say exactly what the significance of the dragonfly was without knowing what is going on in your life at this time. The fact that it died though makes me believe it was a reminder to you that the physical body ends but the spirit is immortal so we all need to develop our spiritual side.
Reply to this
I never experienced this before, when I was walking to my home on this hot summer day. A swarm of dragonfly's, over 50, were circling me for about 100 yards. There was no one around except for me to see this. I thought I was dreaming. They were landing on my arms as I was walking. Once I got to my home they followed me to the garage. I went inside and they stayed swarming and circling in my driveway and in front of my home until they finally just separated. It was amazing
Reply to this
For three years, beginning in 2007, I have seen only one dragonfly and it began in our backyard. It would fly around me for two to three minutes (very close) and I would stand still. We moved to another home the next year and, again, only one dragonfly would appear in the same manner. In 2009, we bought another home and, once more, only one dragonfly would appear around me in the backyard. I have seen no other dragonflies anywhere. Then, we moved once more in 2009 to another home and, yet again, only one dragonfly appeared precisely as before. It would only appear when I was in the backyard. I tried to show my wife and it would be gone by the time she would come to the backyard. It appears to be only blue in color. We simply do not have ANY dragonflies anywhere else. I've asked many people and they never see them. I do not know the meaning or if there is any meaning to them at all, but it is strange (as you can see) the way these have occurred. I have no idea if anything can be associated with this or not so I leave it up to others who may know to try to explain it to me. I've researched this on the Internet and have found no other "postings" like mine. Others have reported seeing many dragonflies, but not just one and, seemingly, one that is simiar in color, flight, mannerisms, etc., each time. I find it very "weird", but intriguing. I am a former federal agent so I attempt to be objective and only factual. I do believe in God very much. This simply is too repetitive and duplicative in every instance to be "coincidental". Any assistance or "thoughts" on this would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Reply to this
Ken,
Thanks for sending your comment.
Sometimes the significance of a symbol is personal, based on something thet may have happened in your past, but if you don't remember anything special ahppening with a dragonfly, that is probably not the case. I'd say it is clear you are being sent a message, but what that message is isn't so clear. Since the color blue is associated with spiritual things, the most obvious interpretation is that you are being advised to work on your spiritual development. Beyond that, I really cannot say, but I am passing your question on to others in my church who are more experiances at dream and vision interpretation and I will reply to you again when they get back to me.
Reply to this
Ken,
I have not been able to get any further suggestions about the meaning of this symbol. I've been told it's hard to do so without knowing you. My suggestion is that you ask God, in whatever way is within your beliefs, to provide guidance to help you understand. ALso, try to remember your dreams and interpret them. That may provide more answers.
Reply to this
This is hard to describe but I was very close to my Great Aunt before she fell ill with Alzheimers and eventually passed. When I would visit her, we would shop and that's when we had come across some dragonfly items like jewelry and such and started collecting pieces here and there. About 4 years later, in fact last year, my mother became ill with terminal cancer and both my parent passed away, in an unconventional way, together on Mother's Day. A week before the passing, my mother was in the hospital on the 11th floor in the downtown area and a dragonfly appeared in the window. I remember pointing that out to her because I was amazed that a dragonfly would be in the window of the 11th floor of a hospital, downtown, near a heavily traveled bridge! I had mentioned that that may be a good sign for her but of course a soon after that was not the case
They have been gone now over a year and about 2 months ago I found a dead dragonfly (rather large) on the garage floor in front of a freezer that I had brought home from their house. A week after that incidently another large dragonfly was inside my home flying around and my significant other tried to shoo him out safely with the broom and made several attempts and the dragonfly got away. Finally, unfortunately his escalated attempt to shoo him out resulted in actually swatting him to the floor where it died. When I returned home it was there and I had to hear the whole story but began wondering what the significance may be since I have collected dragonfly items and jewelry, which started with my aunt several years ago.
It was actually a bit unsetteling and I have lost interest in dragonflies at the moment. Any insight for me?
Reply to this
I can't be specific without knowing you well. I think, from what you have said, that the appearance of the dragonflies were a reminder to you that there is an afterlife. The fact that one of the dragonflies died, or was accidentally killed is not particularly significant and you shouldn't be too concerned about that. Adult dragon flies don't live long anyway. To get better insight into what they specifically mean to you, I suggest you look at your collection and try to notice what your first thoughts are about when you do. You can also pray, or ask God in whatever way is appropriate for your beliefs, for better understanding of this symbol in your life. Pay attention to your dreams also. They can sometimes provide answers.
It is curious that this article that I posted several months ago is one of the most read and the most commented on.
Reply to this
I am a victim of 2 rapes by different men. I am unsure of which of these would be appropiate for my transformation from victim to survivor and fighting for justice and caring about myself and what they did to me. Any advise on which would be appropiate?
Reply to this
Personnally, I tend to think more of the butterfly as a symbol of transformation, but it really should be the one you feel is more appropriate.
Reply to this