The Beautiful Metaphor Of The Dragonfly And The Cycles Of Life

The dragonfly metaphor is a very interesting symbolic resource for understanding the cycles of life. Sometimes, this type of reference in which the literary mixes with the mystical, the anthropological with the unquestionable strength of some beings in the natural world, is very useful for us.

Wolves, cats, butterflies, elephants… Animals and their attributes always offer us good lessons that can serve as inspiration.

The dragonfly is one of them. Traditionally, it appears as a totem that encompasses two basic processes: adaptability and transformation. This insect has always attracted the attention of human beings for being a creature that belongs to three of the spheres of this world: earth, water and air.

Her transformation processes, from a nymph to a dragonfly, bring her to be in contact with these essential scenarios of nature itself.

It is a creature of great beauty and fragility that has belonged to this planet for a long time, before the emergence of human beings as a species. In fact, and as a curiosity, we know that dragonflies already existed in the Carboniferous period (over 300 million years ago). But they were a little different: they had a great wingspan and their wings reached three feet.

This gigantism was significantly reduced to the point as we know it today. They are ethereal and almost magical creatures that border any region where there is water and from which we can draw many lessons.

The dragonfly metaphor: changes, adaptation and evolutions

The anistópteros or dragonflies are one of the most fascinating insects of the kingdom of invertebrates . They are incredibly fast, reaching 85 km/h. For scientists and onlookers, one of the most attractive aspects about them is their eyes.

They have about 30,000 hexagonal facets and each has its own lens and retina. All of this with one purpose: to provide the animal with one of the most perfect views of nature, allowing them to see 360° around them with just one look.

However, in addition to its anatomy, its impressive colors and its extraordinary flight, there is its symbolism. The dragonfly metaphor is rooted in several cultures, the same ones that observed in their life cycle a similarity to our own existence. Let’s look at it in detail.

A life of transformations

The dragonfly has a very particular life cycle. She goes through three very specific phases in her metamorphosis, from hatching the egg, passing through the nymph phase until becoming a spectacular dragonfly. This journey lasts between 3 and 6 years, but curiously the shortest stage is the last.

The dragonfly stage only lasts a few weeks. Much of its existence is lived as a water creature, a nymph that breathes through its gills and feeds on worms and tadpoles. Later, it starts to transform, and this journey of change forces it to go through about 15 skin changes before the wings emerge.

Both dragonflies and we adapt to this vital journey of change where almost nothing is static. They understand that, to survive in any environment, it is necessary to change, change skin, give up old ways. Only then will we be able to be what has always been within us and what we dream of.

live day to day to the fullest

The dragonfly metaphor teaches us a valuable lesson: the need to make the most of everyday life. When the nymph changes her last skin and her wings emerge, she is aware that her existence will be ephemeral. So, it’s time to embrace the wind, travel, explore, discover a world far from your old comfort zone: water.

We too must be able to enjoy life with the same passion and delicacy.

The dragonfly metaphor: balance

Over time, there is an aspect of these invertebrates that has fascinated virtually all cultures: their wings. In addition to its tonalities, its chromatic games and shines, its refined flight maneuvers draw attention. Dragonflies are powerful and elegant in the air, despite having spent most of their lives in the water.

As a curiosity, they beat their wings about 30 times a minute (unlike mosquitoes, which beat about 600 times). They have 20 times more strength in their wings than other insects, and their flight maneuvers are very impressive and accurate.

Japan is one of the cultures that most revere this insect because, for them, it symbolizes exactly the balance in life.

the final journey to the beyond

For Native Americans, the dragonfly metaphor represents a guiding spirit. For them, these invertebrates resemble the final journey of every human being, that place to which we go after leaving the world of land and water to become creatures of the air. Winged beings who finally ascend to that other sphere, where we become spirits, free souls.

As we can see, they are interesting and suggestive concepts. Meanings in which the symbolic mixes with the magic of the animal world and cultures that see in nature a mirror where we see ourselves reflected. These reflections are worth considering.