Home » Dreams & Meanings » Dragonfly meaning: spiritual, mystical, dream, tattoo and more!

Dragonfly meaning: spiritual, mystical, dream, tattoo and more!

Dragonflies are insects known for their vibrant colors and very characteristic flight abilities, as they can hover in the air. In addition to being excellent pollination agents, dragonflies are commonly associated with myths and legends in diverse cultures around the world, being part of stories since the emergence of humanity.

Although just an insect, dragonflies are revered as symbols of good luck in some cultures, while they can be considered a bad omen in others. Easily noticed due to their appearance, dragonflies gain even more visibility at this time, as they are the subject of this article.

In it, we will describe the origins of its name, its mystical, esoteric symbolism and how different cultures see this small insect. In addition, we also bring information about your tattoo, dreams about dragonflies, as well as what it means when you see a dragonfly. Read and check!

In this initial section, we present the most essential information about the dragonfly. For this reason, we will deal with the origin of its name, its characteristics and important curiosities about it, so that you can start exploring the universe of this fascinating animal. Check out.


The origin of the name dragonfly can be established from Latin, more precisely through the word ‘libellula’, referring to the act of leveling, a word that was already used to designate this insect during antiquity.

The word ‘Libellula’ is the diminutive form of ‘libella’, a term that, in turn, means the level of the scale that balances in equal weights. Consequently, its name references the ability of this graceful insect to remain suspended and balanced in the air during its flights.


Unlike most insects, dragonflies, along with ladybugs and butterflies, are generally viewed favorably by people. She is a winged insect that belongs to the suborder Anisoptera.

One of the main characteristics of this insect is its very elongated abdomen and an appearance that resembles a helicopter. Dragonflies have two pairs of semi-transparent wings, compound eyes and colors that resemble a metallic tone, varying according to the species.

Although it has a wide worldwide distribution, dragonflies generally find refuges in regions close to bodies of water, such as swampy areas, puddles and streams. In addition, they feed on other insects, mainly mosquitoes and flies.


Dragonflies are fascinating insects and, therefore, there are several curious facts about this animal. Among them, we can mention:

• Its name varies greatly from region to region. Therefore, it is known as jacinta, lava-bunda, odonata, zigzag, washerwoman, horse of the dog, among many other names;

• Dragonflies are not poisonous;

• Dragonfly eggs are laid in water, an environment in which the dragonfly lives for a total cycle of 17 metamorphoses;

• Some species of dragonflies can take up to 5 years to fly;

• The last metamorphosis of this insect lasts 30 to 40 minutes. After its last transformation, it takes about 3 hours for its wings to be dry and ready for flight;

• Dragonflies can measure from 2 to 19 cm.

Now that you know the basic information about the dragonfly, it’s time to explore the meanings of this powerful animal.

Initially, we talk about the spiritual meaning of dragonfly so that, from it, we can deal with its negative meaning, as shamanism conceives it, in addition to showing the meaning in Christianity, mysticism and esotericism. Check out.


The spiritual meaning of the dragonfly is linked to change and transformation. It comes as a warning that you must spread more light and joy to different areas of your life, as it is not very helpful to remain in the shadows of anonymity or lost within your own darkness.

The dragonfly encourages you to navigate your own spirituality, seeking meaning in the path of the spirit so that it can reveal how you are to connect with the divine and manifest your full potential in this incarnation.

The dragonfly also symbolizes new beginnings, living in fullness, maturity and balance. Free yourself and your illusions and limitations and be ready to reflect your inner light on the world around you.


In some cultures, the dragonfly is a symbol of negativity. In Norway, the dragonfly is considered “the one that pierces eyes” and, therefore, it can be seen as a symbol of bad luck. In Holland, another Germanic country, the dragonfly was considered the “horse biter”.

Not far from the European continent, in Asia, certain ethnic groups, such as the Chinese, believe that the dragonfly is a symbol of inconstancy. In addition, the dragonfly can be seen as a symbol of bad luck.


In shamanism, the dragonfly is seen as a sign of change, which appears as a messenger between the world of water and air. In some traditional North American cultures, dragonflies are seen as the homes of ancestral spirits.

In addition, the dragonfly is linked to balance, and is also used as a symbol of protection, fertility and its medicine is widely used to prevent someone from starving or experiencing needs.


Many Christian traditions regard the dragonfly as a symbol of their religion, as it is born underwater before ascending towards the light. In addition, she is a symbol that everything gains more colors in the face of the light of the universe, since her body is colorless when she first emerges and becomes colorful when the sun’s rays touch her.

Therefore, the dragonfly is seen as a metaphor that represents the symbolic way in which Christians can transform themselves when touched with the light of Jesus. In addition, they symbolize prosperity, strength, courage, peace, harmony and purity.


Under a mystical look, the dragonfly represents immortality and regeneration. Therefore, it is commonly used as a motif or adornment in works of plastic and literary arts. Both its colors and its shapes and behaviors inspire the creation of a more balanced environment.

In this way, it is quite common for people to use accessories with images of dragonflies so that they attract their mystical energy into their lives.


From an esoteric point of view, the dragonfly is a symbol of protection and transformation for the better. Therefore, it can be painted or carved to attract these energies into the lives of its users. In addition, dragonfly is also associated with peace, protection and prosperity in esotericism.

As we have already mentioned, different countries and cultures have different conceptions of the symbolism of the dragonfly.

Therefore, we will travel around the world to understand more about the symbolism of the dragonfly in places in Europe such as Sweden, Romania and Germany, in addition to learning more about dragonflies in Asian countries such as Japan, and Vietnam. Check out.


In Sweden, dragonflies do not have a positive meaning. When they appear inside the house, for example, they suggest that some kind of tragedy is about to happen to someone in that house or someone connected with it.

In addition, dragonflies are also associated with nature spirits that appear to assess human behavior and, when verifying that someone is doing something cruel, takes them into the forest.


Dragonflies are highly prized and revered in Japanese culture. Therefore, they are often present in Japanese art and poetry. In a rather famous legend, a young emperor was walking through a forest when he was attacked by a dangerous insect.

Upon realizing that the emperor was being attacked, the dragonfly appeared and fed on the insect, thus protecting the emperor from any and all harm. Therefore, the dragonfly is known as a symbol of protection in Japan.


The traditional meaning of dragonfly in Vietnam is related to transformation. It symbolizes the different stages of life’s metamorphosis. In addition, because they are excellent flyers, they are seen as animals that inspire agility.

Dragonflies are also considered messengers, as they travel between the realm of water and the realm of air, carrying information and influences from both realms wherever they go. Furthermore, dragonflies are symbols of balance and induce deeper thoughts to understand what happens in life more clearly, far from superficiality.


In Romania, dragonflies are associated with evil and manipulative sorcery. According to Romanian folklore, there is a legend that says that the devil himself was the creator of dragonflies.

In this legend, when the devil failed to convince a fisherman to take him with him in his boat to the other side of the river, the devil turned into a winged insect capable of transiting over water, known today as a dragonfly.


The dragonfly appears in German folklore in a very interesting story. According to legend, the dragonfly was created when an evil princess refused to speak to a man in her kingdom and trampled him with her dig.

Fragile and humiliated, the man ended up cursing the princess so that she would be forever trapped in his cave. Thus appeared the first dragonfly. Therefore, in Germany, the dragonfly is also associated with malevolence and curses and can be considered as a negative sign.

To deepen the knowledge about the different meanings of the dragonfly, we present below what this insect represents for the Celtic culture and for the Native American peoples.

In addition, we bring what it means to have a dragonfly as a totem, spiritual or power animal, as well as the meaning of dragonfly dreams and what the dragonfly tattoo means. Check out.


The dragonfly is a very important animal for the Celtic peoples. Therefore, there are about 23 different names to represent this animal. The Celts believed that the dragonfly was a magical animal, as its wings have an iridescent effect, changing color according to the intensity of sunlight.

Since dragonflies’ eyes can rotate…

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