How I Think About the Symbolism of Insects at Our Farm

“Insects are the silent storytellers of the natural world, narrating tales of survival, adaptation and coexistence” quote from: Mary Jane West Eberhard who is an American evolutionary biologist and entomologist.

Living on a farm I am always amazed when a dragonfly appears, I feel it is speaking to me. Its presence makes me think about how, throughout history, insects and animals have been viewed as symbols, perhaps appearing in our dreams or crossing our paths for a reason. Maybe they are trying to tell us something. I only wish I could understand their language.

Here is a short list of the most common insects I see on the farm and what they represent.

THE DRAGONFLY: Dragonflies are creatures of both wind and water, and in many cultures they are associated with change, transformation and the subconscious. They are also symbols of prosperity, strength, peace, purity, courage, and harmony.

I have an affinity for dragonflies, being drawn to their colors and delicate body shape. Throughout my home I have subtle reminders of my interest in this insect. If you were to visit, you would see that my drinking glasses have a dragonfly motif, my key chains have dragonflies charms, the windows and toilet seat have dragonfly etchings and around my neck I wear a silver dragonfly. When I am out and I see someone wearing a dragonfly symbol, I become so excited, thinking we are kindred spirits. However, when I ask the wearer about the symbolism, I am often disappointed to learn that there is no deeper connection. They simply liked the way it looks.

The Dragonfly is the national emblem of Japan, where it has been associated with light, joy, protection of children and the spirit of the samurais. In Native American traditions, the dragonfly is associated with the souls of the dead.

When we purchased our small farm, I saw a lone dragonfly fly by. I took it as a sign, and somehow, I knew this farm was going to be ours. It was helping to make my decision in its small way.

THE ANT: Ant symbolism is generally associated with order, discipline, hard work and industriousness. If you keep seeing ants, perhaps they are reminding you to stay focused and work toward your goals. In some traditions, ants in the home are also seen as a sign of wealth and prosperity.

Well, this farm certainly has no shortage of ants! We have so many different kinds, and it sometimes seems as though there is no end to them. Perhaps they are trying to tell me something about how hard it is to work a farm? I just wish they would deliver their message without biting me. Some of them pack quite a bite It hurts and leaves my hand, arm or leg red and swollen. It makes me wonder if working the land and it’s prosperity is really worth it.

THE BEE: Throughout history, bees have symbolized  focus, dedication, hard work, teamwork, generosity, prosperity, fertility, community, friendship and selflessness. In many cultures, they are also associated with brightness, joy, beauty, celebration, rejuvenation and divinity.

When I planted sun flowers, marigolds and zinnias, I was hoping to attract lots of bees. I pictured my garden buzzing with them. I do have some, but honestly, not nearly as many as I had hoped. Perhaps the bees are simply taking their time finding my garden. We could really use their services in pollinating our various fruits and vegetables. Or maybe they are reminding me that good things don’t always arrive in the number we expect?

THE BUTTERFLY: For many cultures, the butterfly symbolizes transformation and the afterlife. Because of their delicate appearance, butterflies are often associated with joy, color, and elegance.

When we first came to the farm, we didn’t see many butterflies. I planted Passion flowers also called Parcha. Russ makes a drink from the juice. The parcha starts as a small bud. It opens into a beautiful white and purple flower and that flower turns into the fruit. We planted many seeds hoping the butterflies could come but apparently, the butterflies have not received the invitation.

THE GRASSHOPPER: For the ancient Greeks, the grasshopper symbolized royalty and nobility. In China, both the grasshopper and cricket have been associated with good fortune, abundance, courage, having an open mindset and cheerfulness. 

We have many big and vibrant green grasshoppers at the farm. They seem to have made themselves quite comfortable in the house. Some like to sit in the living room and listen while I play the violin or watch Russ paint. I suppose they have decided that life at the farm comes with its own entertainment. Perhaps they aren’t just grasshoppers? Maybe they are our tiny cultural critics?

THE SPIDER: One creature that appears consistently in myths and legends is the spider. Their most common symbol is as the creator of life and the weaver of fate. In both African mythology and Native American traditions, the spider is associated with the trickster, a clever character known for cunning and ingenuity. In China, spotting a spider is considered a sign of good luck and happiness. The ancient Egyptians associated the spider with their goddess Neith, who was believed to be a “weaver of destiny.”  

On the farm, we have many different kinds of spiders. One day, I saw one that I swear was bigger then my hand. Whatever its symbolic meaning, at that moment, I was not thinking about fate, destiny or good luck I just screamed!

THE LADYBUG: Symbolizes protection, healing, good fortune, and grace. Because ladybugs help protect plants and flowers by eating pests, they have also come to symbolize guardianship and protection. In some cultures, they are connected with love and marriage. Their bright red color is associated with love and passion, and seeing a ladybug is sometimes considered a blessing for a romantic union.

We don’t have many ladybugs on the farm, but when we lived in Old San Juan, they seemed to appear seasonally. I always enjoyed seeing them. Perhaps they were just passing through to remind me that good fortune can arrive in the smallest of packages. When I was a young girl and a ladybug landed on me, I was taught to say: “Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home, Your house is on fire, your children will roam, All except one, and that’s little Ann, and she crept under the warming pan.”

THE MOTH: Moths are often symbols of positive transformation because they are drawn through the darkness towards the light. In some traditions, they represent the union of light and darkness that is necessary for the transformation of the soul.

At the farm, I have a much less spiritual relationship with moths. As soon as night falls, I close all our windows because the moth’s are irresistibly attracted to the lights inside the house. They seem particularly determined to join me when I’m washing the dishes. Perhaps they are searching for their own spiritual light. I just wish they would find it somewhere other than over my kitchen sink.

THE FIREFLY: Fireflies represent self-illumination, attraction, positivity, simplicity, and self-awareness. Seeing a firefly can be a reminder to stay grounded and appreciate the small things in life. In Japan, fireflies are associated with love, passion, seasonal change, and departed souls.

Sadly, I don’t see fireflies very often anymore. When I was a young girl, I remember seeing what seemed like millions of them in our neighborhood. My neighbors and I would go outside at night to try to catch them in little jars to watch them glow. When they do appear at the farm, they seem less like insects and more like tiny memories from my childhood, lightening up the darkness for just a moment.

THE FLY: The fly symbolizes swift action, decision-making, agility, and the ability to respond quickly to life’s challenges. By embracing the fly’s agility and speed, we can become more adept at navigating complex situations and making confident choices that propel us forward. But the fly also has a darker association with death and decay.

I purchased a little portable fan for our dining table to keep the flies from joining us for our meals. Fortunately, at the farm we only have an occasional fly. Our real dinner guest are the lizards. They are bold little creatures. They come right up to our plates, completely uninvited, and try to steal food.

THE MOSQUITO: A mosquito can symbolize something that is bothering or draining us. In some interpretations, it may represent an annoyance that keeps returning or even an enemy trying to steal our spiritual energy.

On a more practical note, mosquitoes deserve our attention because some species can spread diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya. When I see a smaller mosquito with black and white stripes on its legs, like its wearing striped socks, and a white lyre on its back looking like a little white violin, I am especially cautious and run for a book to kill it. Unlike the dragonfly, whose arrival I welcome, the mosquito is one visitor I am happy to see leave.

THE COCKROACH: The cockroach is one insect that seems to survive everything! It can symbolize something that simply refuses to die. It is often associated with neglect, decay, anxiety, guilt and even a lie that has been spread.

At the farm, our cockroaches grow to astonishing sizes. Sometimes we measure them with our fingers. Right now I believe the largest one I’ve see was about as long as Rusty’s Saturn finger also known as the middle finger.

THE JUNE BUG: The June Bug goes through dramatic transformations in its life cycle, so it can symbolize change, growth, and moving into a new phase of life. It also represents endurance, and patience.

June bugs come out at night, and sometimes I find one lying on its back, struggling to turn itself over. They are hard, round little creatures that don’t seem to give up easily when they land and fall on their backs. They seem awkward and determined, kicking their little legs and refusing to give up. Our dog, Quinn loves to play with them. She finds their determined little bodies endlessly amusing. She bats them around and watches as they suddenly take off and fly away. Maybe Quinn understands something I sometimes forget, life doesn’t have to be so serious. Sometimes it’s enough just to chase a June bug.

Perhaps by understanding and appreciating the symbolism of insects, we can become more open to the many lessons the natural world has to teach us. Insect symbolism, along with the symbolism we attach to flora, fauna and animals, is one more way of interpreting the language of nature and perhaps even our own existence.

I’ve been thinking about the meaning of insects ever since my grandchildren visited the farm. They were both very afraid of bees and actually, of almost every bug they encountered. Why are we so afraid of these tiny creatures? Perhaps their fear is natural, or perhaps, in our fear we miss their message.
Could the very creatures we are afraid of have something we need to hear…….