Our Ancestors And The Dragonfly Mythology: Ancient Egypt and Native America
From Celtic and pagan beliefs of Europe to legends of China and Japan, dragonflies have been symbolic and deeply meaningful to different peoples and cultures all over the world. Entire books have been written on the subject, so we won't dive too deep. That said, it is important to appreciate the connection our Ancestors had to the spirit of the dragonfly in order to contextualize our own relationship with it.
No matter where you are in the world and no matter your roots, I invite you to do your own research on how your culture has perceived and cherished the dragonfly over time. To help paint the picture, let's focus on the mythology of the two parts of the world that, at this point in my life, happen to feel closest to my heart - American and Egyptian.
The dragonfly in Native American mythology
One of the most powerful representations of the dragonfly can be found in the culture and mythology of the various Native American Indian tribes. The dragonfly plays a variety of roles in their symbolism. For the Hopi and Pueblo tribes, it was considered a medicine animal, associated with healing and transformation, whose spirit was often called upon by medicine men and women to provide abundance, fertility and protection for the tribe. Killing a dragonfly was considered highly taboo.
In the Navajo tribe, dragonfly images frequently appear in sacred sand paintings and are believed to represent the elements of both water and air. In Plains Indian traditions, the dragonfly is a symbol of protection and invincibility. Dragonflies were often painted on war attire and tepee covers to ward off danger and injury. Dragonfly is used as a clan crest in some Northwest Coast tribes, such as the Tlingit, and can sometimes be found carved on totem poles. The Yaqui have a Dragonfly Dance among their tribal dance traditions.
“It is important to appreciate the connection our Ancestors had to the spirit of the Dragonfly in order to contextualize our own relationship with it.”
In Central America, legends such as Mayan claim that dragonfly houses the spirit of a deceased honored Ancestor. Mayan mythology additionally links dragonfly with rebirth and creativity in the tale of Ixchel, a goddess who was saved by the dragonfly’s song and the sound of its wings.
These beliefs were passed down to each generation through stories, symbols and signs that were embedded deep in their culture. The importance of the dragonfly is evident through the repeated use of the symbol in their jewelry, tattoos, on tepees, pottery, the aforementioned totem poles, as well as musical instruments and other daily use objects. In some places the dragonfly symbol can still be seen carved into the physical landscape today.
Dragonfly symbolism in ancient EgypT
Being married to an Egyptian, I am always attuned to all links and connections to this spiritually-loaded part of the world. The dragonfly in Egyptian mythology is no exception. From what I learned, the ancient Egyptians used dragonflies as the focal point of art - with numerous rolls of papyrus depicting swampland scenes. Turns out hunting in the wetlands of the Nile, where dragonflies where found in abundance, was one of the favorite ancient Egyptian pastimes.
Not unlike other cultures, ancient Egyptians also featured the dragonfly symbol on clothes, shields, and personal adornments. Dragonflies were considered good luck due to their speed, and symbolized well wishes and protection for soldiers going off to wars. Unsurprisingly, the dragonfly was also treasured by pharaohs and queens and frequently found in their tombs, in forms varying from jewelry and amulets to carvings on the tomb wall.
As Kitty Leaken writes on her blog dragonflydancing.com, "Dragonfly amulets from the Middle Kingdom, were discovered during excavations at Lisht, a Twelfth Dynasty necropolis on the west bank of the Nile, south of Cairo. ... Amulets found in the coffins were imbued with symbolic meanings and magical properties, such as ensuring the deceased a safe transition and a harmonious afterlife. A series of gold bracelets from Queen Hetepheres’ tomb bear inlaid butterflies and dragonflies."
What’s the dragonfly mythology and symbolism in your part of the world?