Most of us are familiar with the idea of the butterfly as a symbol of transformation, but the dragonfly is another winged creature that can help us trust the process of change.
I have always loved dragonflies – their beautiful iridescent wings, swift and nimble flight patterns and presence near water always made my heart happy. Whenever I see them it is a reminder that things are ok.
When I investigated more about dragonflies I realized that their lives were a really beautiful
metaphor for how we navigate loss and transformation.
They are born in the water and are only able to breathe water during the early part of their lives. They shed their skin many times before leaving the water and then shed a final skin before becoming the winged creatures we see flying around. One they first learn to fly they are clumsy and slow, but then as they get used to being able to fly they become some of the fastest and most agile fliers that exist.
Their process of becoming reminds me of how we go through a transition. Water symbolizes
emotions and many people, including me, feel that they are in water during a big loss. It often
feels that we are moving through water as we go about our daily lives. We have to shed our
skins-leaving pieces of our identity behind each time we have a loss or transition. Then, after
coming out of the deep emotions of transition we learn how to navigate our new world slowly
until we become more able to move with change and respond to our environment with the
agility of these beautiful creatures.
Dragonflies have been around for about 300 million years, and their ability to navigate different
environments and survive can give us hope for making it through our own challenges.
In different cultures they symbolize hope, bravery, transformation and prosperity
I hope the next time you see a dragonfly you feel joy and hope in your heart.