Dragonflies were one of the first winged insects to evolve roughly three million years ago and had wingspans that could reach up to two feet. Part of dragonfly’s magical appeal is their iridescence, and another is the incredible way they fly. Dragonflies have two pairs of wings that can beat either together or separately, which allows them to turn rapidly in midair, hover, and even fly backward or straight up and down like a helicopter. This amazing skill inspired engineers to try to design robots that can maneuver like them. Dragonflies help ecologists monitor wetland ecosystems because their numbers give an indication about the health of their aquatic habitat. In addition, since they are low on the food chain and prey to several types of creatures, including frogs and birds, studying their numbers can reveal changes in water ecosystems more quickly than studying other species or plants. Scientists also use them to test for the presence of heavy metals.
Key Attributes
Power of light, breaking down illusions, understanding dreams, magic and mysticism, shape-shifting, transformation, joy, and lightness of spirit and being.
Chakra Interpretations
Root
All dragonflies start their life in water and tend to remain within a few miles of the place where they hatched. You probably feel the need to be near water, but what is even more important to you is to live very near the area where you were raised. It is possible that you still live in the house you grew up in or at least in the same neighborhood. Another aspect of dragonfly in the root chakra talks of most species’ need to warm up in the sun before they can fly. If this is the case for you, you are probably not a morning person. You perhaps need to wake up slowly and enjoy your tea or coffee while sitting in the morning sun, or at the very least under the light of your desk lamp.
Sacral
Nearly all dragonflies are beautifully iridescent. You like to wear beautiful colors or sparkly jewelry. Many dragonflies change color as they mature. The dragonfly tells you not to fight the changes your body is going through as you age but to be comfortable with the transformation and to revel in it. Another aspect of dragonfly in this chakra speaks to the fact that dragonflies mate while flying. It may be that your sexual activities lean toward the athletic. Or if physical aspects of your relationship have become regular or boring, the dragonfly could be telling you to try something new and different to bring back the magic. Maybe it is time for you and your lover to get away together.
Solar Plexus
Dragonflies don’t track their prey. Instead, they can anticipate where it will be and intercept it midflight. You accurately make a plan and only act when you are sure the timing is right. You might be skilled at games of strategy, such as chess. As mentioned earlier, dragonflies have amazing flying ability. This may be an indication that you move through the world in ways that others can’t keep up with and that may seem directionless to an outside observer, but you know exactly where you’re going. Yet another possibility of dragonfly in the solar plexus chakra is that you have a lot of nervous energy and can be a bit of a diva. You may love to be flashy, and your energetic nature brightens up any room when you make your magical appearance.
Heart
Most of a dragonfly’s life is spent underwater in the larval stage as a nymph, and its time as the beautiful adult we see flying around is very short. The dragonfly is a reminder not to take a single moment for granted. Do what is right for your heart. Never assume that there is always tomorrow, and never forget to tell the people you care about how you feel about them. Follow your heart and live life to the fullest now.
Throat
Dragonflies are carnivores and have insatiable appetites. Their diet is mostly pesky insects like mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. This says you can silence anyone that you feel is annoying. Another aspect of the dragonfly is that it catches its food while flying. You probably tend to eat on the run, rarely stopping to take a break to enjoy your meal. This could be a caution that if your life has become chaotic, you need to take a break, or you won’t be able to communicate with anyone.
Third Eye
Dragonflies’ eyes take up the majority of their heads, allowing them to see in every direction except right behind them. You can see the big picture of most situations and are pretty good at not looking back when it is time to move on. In contradiction to that, the dragonfly in this chakra can be warning you not to be so focused on the future that you forget to remember the lessons of your past, thus doomed to repeat them. Another aspect, as mentioned earlier, of the dragonfly is that it lives most of its life underwater as a nymph. The dragonfly is asking you if it is time for you to reveal your wings and take flight into a new and higher perspective.
Crown
Dragonflies are light-benders. Their iridescent body and wings reflect light and can be interpreted as a call to bring color, magic, and transformation into your life. Try hanging prisms in a sunny window to allow rainbow light to enter your home. You can also use a crystal as a meditation tool, letting natural or candlelight shine through. The dragonfly in this chakra is also a reminder of its flying capabilities. When you are ready to launch yourself into the higher realms, you won’t have any limitations in the direction of your flight. Allow the dragonfly’s amazing flight ability to carry you to places you didn’t think possible.