Damselfly Symbolism
- Purity. A damselfly generally symbolizes purity. ...
- Activity. Damselflies can also symbolize activity. ...
- Equality. One of the key differences between a dragonfly and a damselfly is that the wings of a damselfly are of equal length and stick out like an equals ...
- Speed and Agility. Damselflies are fast and can’t be caught easily. ...
What is the meaning of damselfly?
Definition of damselfly. : any of numerous odonate insects (suborder Zygoptera) distinguished from dragonflies by laterally projecting eyes and usually stalked wings folded above the body when at rest.
How do you tell the sex of a damselfly?
The abdomen is long and slender and consists of ten segments. The secondary genitalia in males are on the undersides of segments two and three and are conspicuous, making it easy to tell the sex of the damselfly when viewed from the side.
What behaviors do damselflies have?
Other behaviours observed in damselflies include wing-warning, wing-clapping, flights of attrition and abdominal bobbing.
What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?
Although some species of dragonfly have wide distributions, damselflies tend to have smaller ranges. Most odonates breed in fresh-water; a few damselflies in the family Caenagrionidae breed in brackish water (and a single dragonfly species breeds in seawater). Dragonflies are more affected by pollution than are damselflies.
What is the spiritual meaning of seeing a dragonfly?
The spiritual meaning of dragonflies is the light of God. It also means looking within and dancing – just like a dragonfly. To a warrior and fighter, a dragonfly tattoo represents agility, power, speed, victory, and courage. It also symbolizes rebirth, immortality, transformation, adaptation, and spiritual awakening.
What does it mean when a dragonfly is in your presence?
Good fortune and prosperity are associated with dragonflies in various cultures. So if you see a dragonfly, make a wish and it will come true. Dragonflies indicated that there was a lot of fish in the area. For the fisherman, dragonflies were a symbol of good fortune.
What are damselflies known for?
Like their bigger cousins, damselflies are FABULOUS hunters, both as nymphs and adults. As adults, they grab prey in mid-air, using their legs like a basket to catch it. In the water, as nymphs, they are also fierce predators, catching other aquatic invertebrates like mosquito larva, mayfly nymphs and isopods.
What does it mean when a dragonfly comes and visits you?
If a dragonfly visits you, it is a good sign. It indicates good luck, prosperity, harmony, and fortune. This tiny animal tells you to live your life with full potential, to live every day like it's the last one.
Do dragonflies symbolize death?
Symbolism of the Dragonfly Meaning Death Throughout history, the dragonfly has been associated with death. It is portrayed as either a positive messenger to loved ones or the manifestation of the soul's transformation into the spirit world.
Is it good luck for a dragonfly to land on you?
Good luck is on the way. If a dragonfly lands on you, sometimes it can simply be a message that good fortune is on the way. This message can be hard to decipher at first, but with hindsight, you will remember the dragonfly and understand the meaning it had.
Are damsel flies good?
Damselflies are extremely beautiful, beneficial predators because they help control populations of harmful insects. Adults consume large quantities of other insects such as flies, mosquitoes and moths and some eat beetles and caterpillars. One way to conserve them is by avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides.
Are damselfly harmful?
Are Damselflies Dangerous or Poisonous? Damselflies are not considered dangerous to humans, fish, or pets. Whether aquatic larvae or flying adults, their mouthparts simply are not capable of harming our skin, nor do they try to go after things larger than they are.
How do you attract damselflies?
Plant a diverse range of flowering plants to attract flying insects that damselflies will hunt. A small to medium sized pond will also help to attract damselflies to a garden.
Are dragonflies bad luck?
A dragonfly flying around your head was considered a very bad omen because the insect was weighing your soul and placing you on a demonic “naughty or nice” list for Satan. Europeans in general considered dragonflies evil creatures who colluded with the devil and those myths eventually arrived in the US.
What is the legend of the dragonfly?
One Native American myth suggests that dragonflies were originally dragons. A coyote tricked a dragon into shapeshifting, and it couldn't change back. As a result, the dragonfly symbolises change, speed, and illusion. It makes a nice link with the Chinese association between dragons and dragonflies.
How to tell if a damselfly is a dragonfly or a dragonfly?
You can distinguish them by noticing that dragonflies fly directly and with purpose, while the damselfy’s flight is more fluttery. The damselfly also has a slightly longer abdomen. A damselfly has the same captivating appearance as a dragonfly, but it is a bit smaller and its eyes are farther apart.
How to attract dragonflies and damselflies?
Constructing a pond or other backyard water feature will attract a surprising number of dragonflies and damselflies. Size is not crucial, but dig the basin deep enough so that the water won’t freeze solid in the winter. Plant a few native plants at its edge for wind protection. The pond should get at least partial sun.
What do dragonflies mean?
Dragonfly Meaning and Symbolism 1 Many Americans believe that it is good luck if a dragonfly lands on you without prompting. Dragonflies are also a symbol of good luck in Chinese tradition. 2 Dragonflies have been a notable part of folklore in many countries, especially Japan. Japanese tradition views dragonflies as symbols of swiftness and as a sign of summer and autumn. 3 Dragonflies have been a symbol of purity, activity, and swiftness for some Native Americans. The indication of purity comes from both the pure water in healthy aquatic habitats where dragonflies thrive and from the fact that they eat their food right out of the wind. 4 Some common names for dragonflies are “Mosquito Hawk,” “Devil’s Darning Needle,” and “Snake Doctor.” Mosquito Hawk stems from the dragonfly’s favorite food, Devil’s Needle stems from very old traditions indicating that dragonflies were evil, and Snake Doctor stems from the fact that dragonflies can often be seen in the same habitat as snakes and sometimes even interact with them.
Why do people have dragonflies in their gardens?
Most people love to have dragonflies in their gardens, if only because dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes.
How do gossamer wings work?
Their four gossamer wings move independently of one another, giving them the ability to fly forward, backward, and sideways, or to just hover in place. Bead-like eyes provide 360–degree stereovision, allowing them the ability to spot insects in any direction without turning or moving their heads.
What are some common names for dragonflies?
Some common names for dragonflies are “Mosquito Hawk,” “Devil’s Darning Needle,” and “Snake Doctor.”.
The Characteristics of dragonflies
Let’s start by looking at some of the characteristics of dragonflies that have helped create the symbolism people have attributed to them.
Dragonfly symbolism in different cultures
Dragonflies are found in many parts of the world, both in the Old World and the New, and is unsurprising that this beautiful and seemingly mystical creature has appeared in the mythology and traditions of a wide range of different cultures.
Other spiritual dragonfly symbolism
Now let’s have a look at some of the other spiritual symbolism that can be attached to dragonflies.
How to interpret seeing a dragonfly in real life or in your dreams
So we have looked at the symbolism dragonflies can have according to various cultures and traditions around the world, but what does it mean if you see one, either in your dreams or in real life?
Beautiful insects that also represent transformation, mystery and more
Dragonflies are undeniably among the most beautiful of insects, and they have become imbued with deep symbolism in many different cultures.
What is the meaning of dragonflies?
A Deeper Look at the Spiritual Meaning of Dragonflies. The totem of the dragonfly holds the insights of adaptability and transformation. They are spiritual creatures connected to light and change. When you see one, be reminded of these qualities in yourself.
Why are dragonflies associated with water?
They are also strongly associated with water because they begin their lives in ponds and small bodies of water. They learn to scurry across water surfaces – a strong symbol of looking beyond the surface of a person or situation. Life is complex and as creatures of both air and water, dragonflies remind us of this.
What does it mean when a dragonfly crosses your path?
Meaning when a dragonfly crosses your path. If you’ve become conscious of dragonflies around you recently, this is a great time to start to work with their energy and symbols. When your subconscious is calling this spirit animal into your life, you might be in line for a transformation. Let them be your inspiration.
Why are dragonflies called dragonflies?
Because of the way dragonflies crush prey, it was once believed they possessed teeth. The more modern name of the dragonfly comes from the myth that they once were dragons. Some cultures imagined dragonflies as elemental messengers with the spirits of Devas inside them.
Why do dragonflies have teeth?
It is from the Greeks that they get their root name, Odanates, which means tooth. Because of the way dragonflies crush prey, it was once believed they possessed teeth.
How long does a dragonfly live?
The final, and perhaps most important lesson of the dragonfly lies in its short life span. They live a complete life in only seven months. Let the dragonfly be a reminder to you to live life fully present. Let it teach you to look out for the gifts and beauty that you encounter each day.
What is dragonfly energy?
They end up overtaking us and stalling our growth. Dragonfly energy is perfect for digging in, embracing, and understanding emotions.
Overview
Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at l…
Classification
The Zygoptera are an ancient group, with fossils known from the lower Permian, at least 250 million years ago. All the fossils of that age are of adults, similar in structure to modern damselflies, so it is not known whether their larvae were aquatic at that time. The earliest larval odonate fossils are from the Mesozoic. Fossils of damselfly-like Protozygoptera date back further to 311–30 Mya. Well-preserved Eocene damselfly larvae and exuviae are known from fossils pres…
General description
The general body plan of a damselfly is similar to that of a dragonfly. The compound eyes are large but are more widely separated and relatively smaller than those of a dragonfly. Above the eyes is the frons or forehead, below this the clypeus, and on the upper lip the labrum, an extensible organ used in the capture of prey. The top of the head bears three simple eyes (ocelli), which ma…
Distribution and diversity
Odonates are found on all the continents except Antarctica. Although some species of dragonfly have wide distributions, damselflies tend to have smaller ranges. Most odonates breed in fresh-water; a few damselflies in the family Caenagrionidae breed in brackish water (and a single dragonfly species breeds in seawater). Dragonflies are more affected by pollution than are damselflies. The presence of odonates indicates that an ecosystem is of good quality. The mos…
Biology
Adult damselflies catch and eat flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Often they hover among grasses and low vegetation, picking prey off stems and leaves with their spiny legs. Although predominantly using vision to locate their prey, adults may also make use of olfactory cues. No species are known to hunt at night, but some are crepuscular, perhaps taking advantage of newly hatched flies and other aquatic insects at a time when larger dragonflies are roosting. I…
Conservation
Conservation of Odonata has usually concentrated on the more iconic suborder Anisoptera, the dragonflies. However, the two suborders largely have the same needs, and what is good for dragonflies is also good for damselflies. The main threats experienced by odonates are the clearance of forests, the pollution of waterways, the lowering of groundwater levels, the damming of rivers for hydroelectric schemes and the general degradation of wetlands and marshes. The cl…
In culture
Damselfly is a 2005 short film directed by Ben O'Connor. Damselfly is also the title of a 2012 novel in the Faeble series by S. L. Naeole, and of a 1994 poem by August Kleinzahler, which contains the lines "And that blue there, cobalt / a moment, then iridescent, / fragile as a lady's pin / hovering above the nasturtium?" The poet John Engels published Damselfly, Trout, Heron in his 1983 collection Weather-Fear: New and Selected Poems.
See also
• List of damselflies of the world
• List of odonates of Sri Lanka