The Meaning of Dragonfly In The Bible

What is the symbolism and meaning of dragonflies in the Bible? Also, what does a dragonfly symbolize spiritually?

Introduction

If you’ve ever found yourself wandering by a lake, stream, pond, canal, or open stretch of freshwater on a warm summer’s day, chances are you’ll have been fortunate enough to encounter a dragonfly.

Dragonflies have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, and despite so many looking so alike from one another, there are, in fact, more than 6,300 species of dragonfly known to exist.

Some scientists and experts, however, believe the true number to be much higher.

Dragonflies are flying winged insects that belong to the infraorder Anisoptera found below the Odonata order.

Whereas most species of dragonfly originate from tropical regions, there are some that are found in cooler, more temperate regions, especially across Europe.

Dragonflies are very attractive insects to look at and are primarily popular due to their bright and vibrant colors.

Common colors include red, green, and blue, though they come in various colors, shades, and sizes.

If you’re religious, or even if you simply read the Bible or have an interest in spirituality, you may be interested to learn that dragonflies are very symbolic.

But what is the meaning of dragonfly in the Bible?

Keep reading for the answer.

Dragonfly Symbolism in Christianity

Before we can look at the meaning of the dragonfly in the Bible, we’ll first take a look at the dragonfly’s meaning and symbolism in Christianity.

Many Christians agree that dragonflies represent their religion perfectly.

Dragonfly larvae are born in water.

That’s why you always find these flying insects around freshwater.

Female dragonflies are constantly on the hunt for suitable birthplaces such as ponds, streams, canals, lakes, and rivers.

Even swamps are suitable.

The female lays her eggs in the water or just outside of the water, and once they hatch, the larvae become aquatic.

Dragonflies don’t live in water, but the larvae do.

You’d be forgiven for thinking they’re purely aquatic due to how they behave.

It is how the larvae emerge from the water; however, that helps to symbolize all that is good and powerful regarding Christianity.

When dragonfly larvae are ready to reach maturity, the create which emerges from the depth and darkness of the water is much different from the creature that lived in the darkness of the water.

Once the sun catches it, the creature shines and shimmers.

It is the perfect metaphor, not only for Christianity but for life itself.

If you can pull yourself from the darkness and into the light, you will be beautiful and will have a soul to match.

The dragonfly emerging from the water and coming into the light represents people embracing Christianity and letting God into their lives.

Dragonfly Meaning in the Bible – Prophetic Meaning

We’ve looked at how dragonflies reaching maturity can be metaphors for people embracing spirituality and religion, but what does the Bible itself have to say about dragonflies?

Despite the insects themselves never being named exclusively in the Bible, all the traits and characteristics that they stand for and represent are.

Here’s a look at the main dragonfly meaning in the Bible and what they mean.

READ MORE: What does the Bible say about shaving?

Power

First and foremost, one of the main meanings of dragonflies in the Bible is power.

A dragonfly symbolizes power as dragonflies emerge from adverse conditions (water) to thrive in a brand-new habitat.

Not only that, but the creatures evade predators and can fly in extreme weather, where other insects and animals would be seeking shelter.

Therefore, dragonflies are mentioned metaphorically in the Bible when talking about strength and power.

Spirituality

As we briefly touched upon before, another great reason why dragonflies are so prominent in the Bible is due to the fact that they represent spirituality.

Bible verses in the past have mentioned how important it is to open your mind and embrace your spirituality, and the dragonfly is the perfect representation of that.

A dragonfly begins its life as an egg in the mud of a riverbank or somewhere similar or in dark and murky water.

Once the egg hatches, the dragonfly remains in the darkness of the water.

When it is finally ready to live its life to its fullest as it reaches full maturity, however, the dragonfly then leaves the water and enters the light of the world.

If you think of this metaphorically, the dragonfly emerging from the darkness of the water and entering the light represents people reading the Bible, learning about Christianity, and embracing their spiritual sides by becoming religious.

READ MORE: What does “prudent” mean in the Bible?

Symbols of positivity and light

In the Bible, God and all that is good in the world are represented by the light.

Dragonflies are, therefore, signs of positivity and light.

Everybody goes through tough times in life, and it is how we overcome adversity, however, that helps us to grow and mature as people.

The Bible frequently makes reference to this and talks about rising again and picking ourselves up after we fall.

Dragonflies swim to the light when they are ready to leave the water and mature, and as such, they are often associated with the light.

One bible verse (Micah 7:8) states that ‘though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.’

People struggling with poor mental health, or low moods in general for that matter, often find that dragonflies are very soothing and are very powerful symbols of hope.

Development

Dragonflies represent development as individuals.

While we aren’t saying that bodybuilders or people looking to get physically bigger should look at dragonflies for inspiration, if you want to mature and develop as a person, dragonflies are the ideal creature to look for in terms of inspiration.

Dragonflies frequently molt throughout their lifespans, with each shedding of its skin representing shaking off old habits and negative character traits and embracing new ones.

The Spiritual Meaning of Seeing a Dragonfly:

Visitation of the Holy Spirit

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2)

The dragonfly is a creature of the wind that knows how to navigate the wind and remain steady even when the wind seems strong.

Unlike other insects, its strong wings can make it hover. 

This beautiful characteristic links the dragonfly to the Holy Spirit in the Bible, whose presence is mostly associated with the wind.

There are many instances where the wind blows as God’s Spirit descends. 

For example, there was a sound like a rushing wind when the disciples converged in the upper room, awaiting the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).

Also, the Prophet Ezekiel‘s experience in the valley of dry bones shows how the wind came from the four corners of the world and brought the dry bones to life (Ezekiel 37:9-14).

Therefore, seeing the dragonfly is symbolic because it might mean the Holy Spirit is around you.

And when the Holy Spirit comes, your life will not remain the same. God’s Spirit empowers.

It brings the dead back to life and gives you a new beginning. Open your heart to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit when you see the dragonfly hovering and making a quick, sharp turn. 

Ability to navigate life’s challenges

Dragonflies have the ability to make quick turns when flying.

Its movements are unpredictable, making it difficult for predators to catch them.

This is a wonderful ability because it gives them the grace to live longer without falling into the claws of dangerous insect-eating animals. 

Seeing the dragonfly around you gracefully signifies your ability to navigate life’s challenges.

It is a sign for you to stop overthinking about your situation and take action to not be consumed and drowned by your problems.

The more you stay in a place of worry, the more anxiety will creep into your life, steal your joy, and drive you into depression and other harmful habits that can end your life.

Therefore, take the divine cue from the dragonfly above you. Move and not settle on negative thoughts.

Take action and not just brood.

Do not be the Prophet Elijah, who dwelled so much on his fear to the point he became suicidal.

A reminder about the brevity of life

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12)

Dragonflies live for only a few months, from within three to four months.

This short life span echoes the eternal truth about the brevity of life.

Do you notice an unusual activity of dragonflies around you?

If yes, it’s time to live more, savoring every moment.

Create beautiful memories with loved ones and live purposefully. 

Seeing dragonflies doesn’t necessarily mean you are dying soon.

Instead, it might be a wake-up call for you to stop wasting time on frivolities and pay more attention to things that truly matter. 

You might want to chase your dream and take action more.

Focus on the positive part of life and improving the lives of others.

Do not gloss over your birthday. Celebrate it with joy and thanksgiving in your heart.

Live each day like it will be the last. 

The gift of wisdom

The dragonfly also symbolizes wisdom in the Bible.

This can be seen in its style of flying.

It takes a moment, hovering like it is meditating, before taking a sharp turn like it has arrived at a conclusion.

Proverbs 18:15 says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” 

A wise man seeks counsel from the Bible, through prayers, and from wise and godly people before taking major steps. This will reduce their risks of mistakes, regrets, and loss. 

Seeing a dragonfly is a reminder to seek godly wisdom.

You must not despise the place of divine direction, especially when you are skilled or consider yourself an expert.

The Bible says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Therefore, seek wisdom.

Do not rush into decision-making.

Meditate, consult, and pray, and your chances of success will skyrocket.

The entrance of light

The dragonfly has iridescent wings.

It shimmers and produces radiant and colorful light.

Light is symbolic in the Bible.

It represents God’s presence. 1 John 1:5 says, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

Light brings direction and guidance.

Seeing a dragonfly means you will receive divine visitation and deliverance from your dark situations.

You will receive guidance and help in areas where you are lost. 

Light also signifies insight in the Bible.

Psalms 119:130 says, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” 

When the light comes, solutions and ideas come. Therefore, seeing a dragonfly is an indication that answers have come to the puzzling situations you might be experiencing.

It could also be a call to pursue divine wisdom and truth in God’s Word. 

Light also symbolizes purity.

Therefore, seeing a dragonfly is a message to set yourself apart.

It means to be sanctified and purified through and through by purging your heart of evil and renewing your heart by God’s Word, which brings light. 

Finally, seeing a dragonfly with a luminous wing reminds you to shine your light in a world where darkness increases daily, and children of darkness are getting bolder by the day.

Do not hide your gifts and talents. Instead, use them to serve God and bless others. 

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

What do different colors of dragonflies mean?

Colors have a lot of symbolism in the Bible – and as such, the different dragonfly colors also symbolize different things.

As we have seen, there are several possible colors and color combinations of dragonflies. However, here are some of the common colors and what they mean. 

Black dragonfly

The color black signifies suffering and death.

For instance, the prophet Jeremiah uses the color black to symbolize mourning (Jeremiah 14:2) and famine (Lamentations 5:2).

Black also symbolizes darkness, sin, or evil. This is because darkness is associated with night, and the devil is often known as the prince of darkness.

A black dragonfly may therefore be a symbol of suffering, death, or darkness. However, it is very rare for a dragonfly to be completely black. In most cases, they will have other color combinations, including white, yellow, and other colors.

This means that they will most likely symbolize much more than just the meaning of the color black. 

Yellow dragonfly

The Hebrew word for yellow is charuts. It is the same word used for gold.

Gold is a precision metal that denotes royalty and sovereignty.

This is why King Solomon’s temple was overlaid in gold.

He even made the priestly utensils using gold (1 Kings 6). Also, when Jesus was born, the wise men who came to worship him brought him gold, among other gifts. 

Yellow dragonflies can therefore be seen as a symbol of royalty.

Royalty is not a preserve for the royal family.

The Bible refers to Christians as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

This means that all believers have been admitted into God’s royal family. However, yellow can also be a symbol of purification (through fire).

As such, yellow dragonflies may symbolize trials and tribulations, which are usually sent as the crucible through which we will be purified. 

Yellow is referenced in the Bible by the Hebrew word charuts, which refers to the precious metal gold. Gold represents the sovereignty of God.

In the Old Testament, Solomon had the Temple built and overlaid in gold, even down to the priest’s utensils (1 Kings 6). At Jesus’ birth, one of the gifts He received was gold (Matthew 2:11). 

Red dragonfly

The Hebrew word for red is oudem, and it means “red clay.” This stems from the root word for mankind, which was fashioned from red clay.

Both Adam and Esau got their names derived from this word (Genesis 2:7, 25:25).

Interestingly, red is also the color of blood, and as the Bible says, the life of a creature is in its blood (Lev. 17:11).

So, red may signify the sinful nature of man, which needed to be cleansed with the blood of the lamb of God (Jesus). 

The prophet Isiah used red to symbolize atonement when he said, though your sins are as red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).

A red dragonfly can therefore be seen as a symbol of the atoning work of the cross.

On one hand, they signify the life of a sinful man, but on the other hand, they symbolize the redeeming work of Christ, who shed his blood for the remission of our sins. 

Green dragonfly

Color green is the color of grass, shrubs, trees, and other kinds of vegetation.

As such, the color green is used to denote life, growth, regeneration, and new beginnings. In the book of Job, the Bible notes that even though a tree is cut down, it will sprout again at the scent of water (Job 14:7).

The use of a tree to portray regeneration and growth is symbolic. 

Similarly, green dragonflies can be symbols of hope. They can be a symbol of new beginnings that are in the offing. But regeneration often starts with death.

Jesus used the example of a wheat kernel to illustrate the point when he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24).

This is important because it means that new beginnings do not always look spectacular from the very onset. Even in nature, life often begins with death. 

What does it really mean when you see a dragonfly in your dreams?

Seeing a dragonfly in your dream could mean several things because these incredible insects are often symbols of change, transformation, adaptability, agility, etc.

Here are some of the common interpretations of dragonflies in dreams.

Transformation

dragonflies undergo an incomplete metamorphosis (egg – nymph – adult).

This incomplete metamorphosis is shorter than what most insects go through, which typically happens in four stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult).

As such, dragonflies are symbols of transformation. Seeing these insects in your dream could signify God’s transformative power at work in your life. 

Speed

Dragonflies are so graceful in flight that scientists often postulate that they were the first insects to develop the ability to fly.

They can reach a speed of 35 miles an hour, and they can just as easily fly backwards as they can forward.

If you see a dragonfly in your dreams, it could be a symbol of their agility. God often tells his servants that he is doing quick work (Romans 9:28, Isaiah 60:22, Isaiah 60:22 ), and maybe he is saying the same to you. 

Adaptability

One of the unique attributes of dragonflies is their ability to adapt to different environments.

These insects have to adapt both as babies and as adults. They have to live near water bodies because they lay eggs in the water. Once the eggs hatch, the baby dragonflies start living in water.

They initially have adapted gills that help them live underwater. Upon reaching puberty, the dragonflies leave the water and start living on land. 

If you see a dragonfly in your dreams, it might just be a reminder of the need for flexibility. Apostle Pual understood this need, and that made him more successful in ministry. He summarised in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22.

The dragonfly may seem like a small and insignificant insect, but it holds deep symbolism and meaning for Christians.

It is a recall to trust in God’s plan, to have faith and hope, and to appreciate the present moment.

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