Dragonflies

[Sloan]

Ya they keep following me everywhere...not that I mind of course.

[Anamere]

Oh what a beautiful pic! That guy is huge!

Very awesome!

[♥Starlene]

i know, hes like almost TOO big for my taste,,,, maybe ive seen to many scarry movies LOL

[Peace]

oh now, are they big like that in florida? they are here and just beautiful.

[♥Starlene]

No not really, they are smaller and lots of colorful ones.... Same with squirrels,,, take a Florida squirrel and a Michigan squirrel and the Florida squirrel looks sickly.... Funny how they are the same animal but so different in different places...

[Peace]

true. interesting diversity.

[Sloan]

it certainly is..how things change and adapt to surroundings. That dragonfly was one of the biggest I'd seen in awhile, most of them were smaller and waaay more colorful.

[yogagurl]

We have the huge ones here in Idaho, too. I saw several camping last weekend. They are so big they almost look like hummingbirds! Very cool pic, Sloan.
Kristi

[Peace]

oh man, i was just sitting outside and had a georgeous powder blue one fly up to me like he was saying hello. so pretty!

[Sloan]

Thanks Kristi. He probably was saying hello faery....they are so much fun to watch!

[Peace]

a friend of mine posted this and i just HAD to share. i thought it was pretty cool.

Dreaming of Dragonflies - A Spiritual experience
Dragonfly Symbology


Dragon=DNA. Fly=Ascension of Consciousness


Dragonflies, or damselflies, were connected to Freya the Norse goddess of love, fertility and warfare. Freya was famous for her beauty and her knowledge as a magician. It was she who taught Odin the shamanic practices known as seidr which were still practiced during Christian times. The paired bodies of mating dragonflies form the shape of a heart, perhaps being the source for that modern symbol of love. In ancient lore, the dragonfly represents transformation, adaptation and insight.


In most cultures dragonflies have been objects of superstition. European folklore is no exception. Many old myths have been lost during the history, but fragments of these old myths are still living in old local names for dragonflies. Only in Germany dragonflies have had over 150 different names. Some of these are Teufelsnadel ("Devil's needle"), Wasserhexe ("Water witch").


The Swedish name for dragonfly is trollslända, which means "hobgoblin fly" in English. Long time ago people in Sweden believed that hobgoblins, elves, brownies and such creatures lived in our great woods. In that folklore the dragonflies was considered to be the hobgoblins twisting tools. During the history the dragonflies even have been connected with love and female, the names damselfly (England), Demoiselle (France) and Jungfer (Germany) are some examples of those nice associations.


Some of the Latin names of dragonfly families have interesting meanings: The name Libellula might have been derived from the word libella ("booklet") referring to the resting dragonfly, which wings, with some imagination, looks quite like the pages of an open book. The name Odonata was created by Fabricius in 1793 as name for the whole dragonfly order, means "toothed".


In China and Japan the dragonflies has been treated as holy animals, and believed to have medical qualities. Even today the dragonfly Sympetrum frequens is used as fever reducing drug. All over the world dragonflies have been used in different forms of art, stamps and more.


The Dragonfly symbolizes Illusion and dreams.


Dragonfly is the power of light. The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people. They will be emotional and passionate during their early years (the influence of water) and more balanced with greater mental clarity and control in as they mature (the influence of air).


In China the dragonfly a symbol for summer and also for instability and feebleness. In Japan, however, the dragonfly is symbolic of success, victory, happiness, strength and courage. During the 11th century noble Japanese families used the dragonfly as ornamentation on everything from furnishings to textiles. The dragonfly was chosen as a part of the Samurai family crest. Japan was not always named Japan. Japanese legend has it that an Emperor was bitten by a horsefly which, in turn, was eaten by a dragonfly. The Emperor honored the dragonfly by naming what is now Japan “Akitsushima” which, during that time, translated to “Isle of the Dragonfly”.


The Navaho Indians believe the dragonfly to be symbolic of water purity and reflect it in many of the textiles and jewelry they design. One of most delightful stories about the dragonfly is a Zuni myth about two children who were left behind by the villagers when the corn crop failed. The little boy constructed a toy dragonfly from corn husks to cheer up his sister. The dragonfly eventually came to life and appeased the corn maidens who created a bountiful harvest of corn to welcome the villagers back.

[saffy]

I didn't realize until I re read this thread, but it seems it comes up that when I talking to people they see them. I'm sure its a sign for me too. I have been getting out side lately at least once a day. A if you knew me, lately that is a lot. So I'm going outside right now to prune my rose bush that is threatening to take over my deck...no kidding.

[♥Starlene]

Oh very great story Aura!
Thanks for sharing
(((hugs)))

[Sloan]

Thanks Aura! I've been seeing them alot again lately!