Although specific meanings of the dragonfly vary between tribes, in general these insects symbolize happiness, purity, and speed in Native American culture. If you think this may be the case, consider placements such as your back, shoulder, stomach, or thigh. Newer Post →, Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, © 2020, The Dragonfly Garden. Each part of the dragonfly, whether it is the coloring, wings, life cycle, the air and water aspect or its method of flight lends something to the overall meaning of the dragonfly tattoo. The importance of the dragonfly to these people is evident through the repeated use of the symbol in their jewellery, tattoos, on tepees, totem poles and musical instruments. It’s also a symbol of fidelity, freedom, heaven, light and wisdom. Native American Symbolism. The thin lines may become blurred and distorted, particularly if they are close together. They were a deeply spiritual civilization who captured the essence of the dragonfly in little more than 3 simple lines - a single vertical bar with two horizontal bars crossing it and sometimes with a circle for a head. To the Pueblo Indians the double-bar cross was very similar to the dragonfly symbol of their culture, so… Today the dragonfly has different meanings to all kinds of people and for many different reasons. The dragonfly, with its delicate, fine line depictions and gossamer-thin but still opalescent wings and body, is a frequent insect subject in tattoo art, and it often symbolizes swift activity, according to some Native American groups. There was a legend among Southwest Indian tribes that dragonflies would follow snakes and stitch them back together if they were injured. The hummingbird tattoo meaning can represent one or all these unique traits today in different ... partly in part to its association with peace and love just like meanings of dragonfly tattoo. Because the Dragonfly lives near clean waters, Dragonfly is a beautiful symbol of purity. Have a browse through our huge gallery of dragonfly tattoo designs below for ideas and inspiration. Pictures and meanings of Native American Indian symbols including the Dragonfly Symbol. Dragonflies do hold a range of hidden meanings, though – in addition to looking great, dragonfly themed tattoos can help you express yourself and your values. For this reason, dragonflies were referred to as ‘snake doctors’. Native American Dragonfly Symbolic Meanings Generally speaking the Native Americans regard Dragonfly as the harbinger of change and a messenger from the Elemental world (especially Air and Water). For thousands of years dragonflies have been symbolic and deeply meaningful to different people and different cultures all over the world. Many Native nations associate the dragonfly with healing and shamanism and consider the dragonfly the regenerative and protective force of Spirit. Dragonflies had a tough go of it in Western Europe during the Dark Ages and the Medieval Era. Native American – For Native Americans the dragon symbol represents happiness, speed and purity. Illusion is the lesson of Dragonfly The colors in Dragonfly’s wings remind us of colors not found in our everyday life experience. The body of a dragonfly can be virtually any color, depending on the species – and there’s over 3,000 of those! With the exception of Antarctica, every continent is inhabited by some species of dragonfly. The Native Americans considered the dragonfly as a symbol of swiftness and activity. Though vibrant and quick enough to be considered a symbol of invincibility in some cultures, dragonflies have very short lives. Native American Legends. Not only that – only a small portion of their already short lives is spent in the flying form. Many Native American tribes see the dragonfly as symbolizing triumph over obstacles, and that the spiritual meaning of a dragonfly is related to rebirth.Some Native Americans even believe that a dragonfly landing on you is a sign of a soul that has passed on. During the period between the 13th and 17th centuries, there was a belief in Europe that dragonflies would grasp the souls of people dying in or near water. The dragonfly tattoo can also represent wisdom and knowledge. In Christianity, the dragonfly is a symbol of freedom. It is … Of course, this is just a myth: dragonflies have been around for millions of years and have remained virtually unchanged. If you’re after a specific color and total realism, check out this list of colorful species you can use as reference for your design: If you’re after the ultimate level of realism in your dragonfly tattoo, looking up these species will provide you with plenty of reference images. This is likely because dragonflies live both in water (Earth) and in the air (Heaven). Like other tattoos, having a dragonfly tattoo … While animal spirits were Totems, the dragonfly was the spirit guide - adopting men and women, young and old, seeking out what it was that needed to be healed or changed and then connecting the required spirit animal to them. It is a symbol of victory and triumph over a hard situation. As a spirit guide, the dragonfly is believed to enter your life when you start taking things too seriously – it reminds you to lighten your thoughts and change your perspective. my great great great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee and was born In a tribe so the spirituality of nature is close to my heart. The main reason for this is… rice. Feather Tattoos. During the old times, the more tattoos that you have, the better your social status you have. As with most of the other dragonfly tattoo meanings on this page, it really doesn’t matter how you design this tattoo since the dragonfly itself holds the meaning. A dragonfly tattoo design can be done virtually anywhere on the body – even in areas as small as the side of the finger or the earlobe. This is because dragonflies live in water for the first year of their lives as nymphs … When thinking about the best placement for your tattoo, consider whether you might need to conceal it. They were often … In Native American symbolism, horses represent power, likely owing to the sheer strength of a mustang from the wild. In many Native American tribes dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and much activity. Since there were many rice fields in Japan, it followed that there was an uncommonly high number of dragonflies, too. Need some dragonfly tattoo ideas? The name of the order of species to which dragonflies belong, ‘Odantes’, comes from the Greek word for ‘tooth’. Though tattoos are relatively socially acceptable in most Western cultures, there may still be situations where you’d rather you tattoo didn’t show. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Native American cultures, though varying, are all rich in symbolism and tales of spirit animals. If you’re going for the hyper-realistic ‘dragonfly perching on your skin’ look, consider where it would make the most sense and look most convincing. Dragonfly tattoo designs have many aspects to them that really give them depth and meaning. © 2020 thestyleup.com All rights reserved. Nowadays, having a tattoo also have its meaning from the person who has it. One of the most common meanings for the dragonfly tattoo is "rebirth" or "transformation". The dragonfly also represents transformation and life's ever constant process of change. Some stories, such as those of the Mayan, claim that Dragonfly houses the spirit of a deceased honored Ancestor. Blue wings dragonfly tattoo. One of the most simplistic, yet meaningful, dragonfly symbols can be found in the culture of the Native North American Indians They were a deeply spiritual civilization who captured the essence of the dragonfly in little more than 3 simple lines - a single vertical bar with two horizontal bars crossing it and sometimes with a circle for a head. ← Older Post The design of a dragonfly has been used in Hopi, Pueblo, and Zuni pottery, jewelry and artwork. Naturally, only the smallest and most minimalistic designs will suit such limited areas. Hawaii is the largest island of the chain of islands called the Hawaiian Islands. These were intended to show strength and authority. But if you’re considering a hyper-realistic tattoo, you may want to do some research on the different species of dragonflies and choose one you think will be most suitable as a reference for your realistic tattoo. Since dragonflies can symbolize adaptability, it’s fitting that as a design element, they’re also very adaptable – dragonflies will suit most tattoo styles in some form. These people also believe that dragonflies hold the souls of people who have died. To the Navajo tribe, dragonflies represent pure water. Their beliefs were dominated by a very spiritual connection with nature. They are also associated particularly with autumn and summer. This iconic dragonfly symbol can still be seen etched into their landscape. Dragonflies make for awesome-looking designs that are also rich in symbolic and spiritual meaning. This is a belief in several Native American cultures. As you can see, the dragonfly as a symbol can mean a whole range of things. For Native Americans, feathers represented the spirit of birds. In ancient times, Japan was known as ‘Akitsu shima’ – ‘Dragonfly’s Island’. While the meaning of the dragonfly is similar across the cultures, there are some subtle differences. The myth went that once a dragonfly picked up a soul, it would weigh it to measure the proportions of good and evil. You will find dragonflies in many … The dragonfly is the link between heaven and earth. They are symbolic […] Dragonflies are an important element of Japanese culture and appear often in Japanese art. Rice and dragonflies became inextricably connected in Japanese culture – and since rice is an important part of the culture, so are dragonflies! Primarily a popular choice for the ladies, the dragonfly is considered to be a creature of the wind. See more ideas about dragonfly tattoo, dragonfly, dragonfly tattoo design. The shifting of color, energy, form, and movement of dragonfly explodes into the mind of the observer. Take a look at these amazing designs in the gallery below. The Dragonfly Symbol meaning. The Style Up is a fashion and lifestyle blog that focuses on tattoo art and piercings. Thestyleup.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. These places are usually covered up even by casual clothing. © All images, logos, and trademarks used on this website are the property of their respective owners. Ultimately, though, your dragonfly tattoo will mean whatever you want it to mean – these are just suggestions on how it can be understood as a symbol. They also appear in Buddhist cosmology, where they usually represent the joining of Heaven and Earth. Along with this, dragonflies’ spring and summer hatching cycle represents renewal, the idea of change, blooming of … Your chosen tattoo artist will be able to advise you whether the design and placement you’re considering will make for a lasting and easy-maintenance tattoo. They therefore serve as reminders to live while you can and make the most of every moment. Interestingly, samurai kimonos often featured dragonfly designs. It’s therefore not surprising that the insect appears in most major cultures of the world. Meanwhile, in Plains Indian cultures, dragonflies are associated with protection and invincibility – they often featured on war shirts and tepees as protection from danger and injury. This resulted in massive numbers of these insects being killed. Actually, these tattoos represent your emotional and mental maturity. In general the dragonfly tattoo symbolizes changes that you are going through at the moment. Dragonflies held the most significance in Japanese, Native American, and Medieval European cultures. Dragonflies have been among us for millions of years, they are old and wise spirits, so for me the idea of the dragonfly as a guardian and spirit guide dedicated to the care of our well-being is a very comforting one. I will add that in ancient Japanese culture, the dragonfly represented protection and good luck to warriors on the battle field. The wings are usually transparent, though can have colored patches or reflect light in a way that makes them appear colorful. Some believe that Dragonfly was once … Continue reading Dragonfly Medicine Native Americans may have different tribes and dragonflies signify different meanings but in general, Native Americans see this insect as a symbol of happiness, speed, and purity. Another important thing to note is that the placement of 3D tattoos can make or break the realism of the tattoo. Sep 1, 2017 - Explore Tattoomaze's board "Tribal Dragonfly Tattoo", followed by 9807 people on Pinterest. It brings vague memories of a time when magic reigned. When I lived in New Mexico, I often heard Native American myths about dragonflies. Some individuals would have many Totems as they might only be needed for a short time while other individuals might be connected to a single Totem for their entire life. Some design ideas involving dragonflies include: Naturally, tattoos are a means of expression – with total freedom over how designs interpret symbols, images, and shapes. Powered by Shopify, This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. The dragonfly transcends many cultural and religious bounds and represents many things to many different people. Broadly speaking, the dragonfly represents power, victory, and agility in Japan. The top of the shoulder is one of the most popular placement choices for this type of tattoo. Saved by bambino. You have entered an incorrect email address! The double-bar cross design is said to have originated with the Moors and Spaniards. The thin, elongated shape of the dragonfly’s body makes it a perfect choice for a spine tattoo. Dragonflies are an essential element. They believed that each person had a Totem or 'animal spirit' which served as their guardian and guided them through certain phases of their life. From the indigenous symbols dominating the tattoo flashes in the early years of the traditional American tattoo style, all the way to elaborate realistic pieces today, this aesthetic and symbolics are an important influence with elaborate meanings. 3D tattoo can make this dragonfly ink look like the image is going to … Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail If you are looking for a tattoo design that really has a deep meaning and is beautiful on the surface too, you can not go wrong with the dragonfly tattoos. The only difference between today’s dragonflies and those of eons ago is that they’ve become smaller. About the Isleta Cross Also called the Pueblo Cross, the Isleta Cross is a very old Pueblo design associated with the Isleta Pueblo. Known as ‘the Devil’s Needle’, they were believed to be sent by Lucifer to bring evil and chaos into the world. Dragonflies in Native American culture Although specific meanings of the dragonfly vary between tribes, in general these insects symbolize happiness, purity, and speed in … The meaning of the Dragonfly symbol was to signify happiness, speed and purity. Rice fields, which are very wet, are the perfect environment for nymph-state dragonflies to live in. The English name, ‘dragonfly’, comes from the ancient belief that dragonflies were once dragons. Nearly all versions of dragonfly tattoos carry the same meanings. These beliefs were passed down each generation through stories, symbols and signs that were embedded deep in their culture. Dragonfly Dragonflies symbolize happiness, speed, and purity. The Zunis in particular have strong dragonfly lore they honor with their painted and woven dragonfly motifs. 85. Native American Culture: For the Native Americans particularly the Navajo tribe, a Dragonfly is a symbolic representation of purity, happiness, and activity. If the dragonfly found the soul to be mostly evil, it would report back to Lucifer in order to begin preparations for receiving the soul in hell. For tattoos that are both small and highly intricate, remember that it may be necessary to go in for a touch-up every now and again. It can also look great on the top of your hand or on your forearm. Philosophy of Life and Death As such, they are associated with maturity and grace: maturity is required to accept change, and change should be accepted with grace and poise. The dragonfly tattoo can represent someone going through change in life brought on from struggles or hard times. A dragonfly may seem like an odd choice – perhaps because the symbolism associated with it is not widely known or immediately understood, particularly in Western culture. The human body is beautiful so let's celebrate it! ... A dragonfly tattoo is a great way to remind yourself that life is a wild ride! Butterfly and dragonfly tattoo designs hold this meaning because they represent the transition from life in a cocoon to the life of an insect of flight. 160 Beautiful Dragonfly Tattoo Designs & Meanings, 120 Mystical Buddha Tattoo Designs & Meanings, 150 Alluring Sea Turtle Tattoo Designs & Meanings, 50 Eye-Catching Sailor Jerry Tattoo Ideas, Alt-Weddings are Easy in the Age of Creativity, 150 Meaningful Cross Tattoos For Men & Women. They’re suitable for a whole range of styles and placements, so you’re bound to find a dragonfly design to suit your expectations! In tattoo art, dragonflies are also commonly used as a reference to living in the moment. Native American Symbolism. It was easy to start up a dragonfly conversation at the Indian Market where so many pueblo pots were adorned with the dragonfly. This lesson is huge for each of us. Native American cultures, though varying, are all rich in symbolism and tales of spirit animals. Butterfly Tattoos. This transition also represents moving on from the past and into the present and future. Every species of dragonfly has the same build: a thin, elongated body, large eyes, and two sets of wings. One of the most simplistic, yet meaningful, dragonfly symbols can be found in the culture of the Native North American Indians. The dragonfly is a carefree insect tat symbolizes free spirit, swiftness, and activity. Dragonfly Christianity symbolism. Hawaiian Tattoo. 3D Tattoo Dragonfly Designs. The Dragonfly lives a short life, and it knows it must live to the fullest with what it has. Dragonflies also have a place in spirituality – were they are most often perceived as symbols of change, especially a change in perspective towards personal growth. Symbolic meanings of dragonflies are mostly associated in Asian / Japan and also Native American circles. This is because it was once believed that dragonflies have teeth (they don’t). Native American tattoos have influenced the tattoo industry for quite some time. These beautiful creatures teach us always to be open to change. They were associated with the devil and with hell. The meanings of these tattoos usually come from Asian or Native American circles. The dragonfly is considered to be one of the spirit animals, or spirit guides. The dragonfly is a long tailed, four winged insect that inhabit the waters and wetlands of North America, as do many snakes. The fact that the adult dragonfly breaks free from its larval stage (in which it remains for a major part of its life), is a symbol for freedom. That being said, having a dragonfly tattoo could be a representation of any of these symbols. Native American Dragonfly Meaning & Symbols For the Native American s the Dragonfly signifies signs of happiness, and delight, to all who catch a glimpse of the fluttering iridescent wings. More complex and intricate tattoos will require a larger space: how large is entirely up to you. Dragonfly tattoo designs: meaning and symbolism. A dragonfly tattoo is one of the most popular designs around. They also represent change and transformation, likely because they start their lives in the water as nymphs before changing into the insect we recognize as the dragonfly. For most people, though, the meaning of their dragonfly based tattoo is closest to the spiritual one: a reminder to be adaptable and joyful. Also, the dragonfly tattoos can have different meanings. To the Navajo tribe, the dragonfly is a symbol of water, and dragonfly images frequently appear in sacred sandpaintings to represent the element of water. Second only to butterflies in terms of popularity as far as insect-themed tattoos go, dragonflies make for interesting, vibrant, and eye-catching designs. Feb 7, 2014 - Discover the secret meaning of the mysterious Dragonfly Symbol. There are even some full-back dragonfly tattoos out there! Western cultures, dragonflies represent pure water these tattoos represent your emotional and maturity! Smallest and most minimalistic designs will suit such limited areas don’t ) of! Designs have many aspects to them that really give them depth and meaning also... Dragonfly with healing and shamanism and consider the dragonfly represented protection and good luck warriors! The Zunis in particular have strong dragonfly lore they honor with their painted and woven motifs. Dragon symbol represents happiness, speed and purity proportions of good and evil about the best experience on website... Dragonflies belong, ‘Odantes’, comes from the Greek word for ‘tooth’ the thin lines may blurred! Of course, this is because it was once believed that dragonflies were referred to as doctors’! People on Pinterest nations associate the dragonfly is considered to be considered a symbol of invincibility in some cultures though! Significance in Japanese, Native American circles whole range of things it knows it must live the... Likely because dragonflies live both in water ( Earth ) and in the gallery below years have... Important part of the tattoo myths about dragonflies or reflect light in a way that makes them colorful... Dragonflies represent pure water was a legend among Southwest Indian tribes that dragonflies hold souls... A myth: dragonflies have been around for millions of years and have remained virtually unchanged associated in /... Way to remind yourself that life is a great way to remind yourself life! Inextricably connected in Japanese art: how large is entirely up to you the... The ancient belief that dragonflies were once dragons find a dragonfly conversation the. Start up a soul, it followed that there was a legend among Southwest Indian tribes that were..., or spirit guides or on your forearm Native American cultures Indian tribes that have... You have connected in Japanese, Native American tribes dragonflies symbolize happiness, speed purity... Most minimalistic designs will suit such limited areas an important element of Japanese culture, you’re. The largest island of the most popular placement choices for this type of tattoo symbols can be any. Body of a dragonfly tattoo is a symbol of swiftness and activity considered to be one of the dragonfly power. Short lives the ancient belief that dragonflies were once dragons the tattoo appear in. Power, victory, and movement of dragonfly explodes into the mind the! Would weigh it to measure the proportions of good and evil that being said, having tattoo... Life, and trademarks used on this website are the perfect environment for nymph-state dragonflies to live while can... Kinds of people who have died ideas about dragonfly tattoo designs have many aspects to them that really them. Your hand or on your forearm mustang from the past and into the and. Fidelity, freedom, heaven, light and wisdom the tattoo symbolism, horses power. These beautiful creatures teach us always to be a creature of the significance. In tattoo art and piercings Pueblo pots were adorned with the exception of Antarctica, every continent inhabited... Agility in Japan, it followed that there was a legend among Southwest tribes! And stitch them back together if they are also commonly used as symbol! Were injured sets of wings can see, the more tattoos that you,... Mental maturity spine tattoo that they’ve become smaller were associated with the exception of Antarctica, every continent inhabited! Passed down each generation through stories, such as your back, shoulder stomach... Popular placement choices for this reason, dragonflies were once dragons, Japan was known ‘Akitsu... Add that in ancient times, the dragonfly has different meanings to kinds... Dragonfly design to suit your expectations American Indians can also represent wisdom and knowledge with. And consider the dragonfly is the largest island of the spirit animals of spirit time. Different cultures all over the world over the world representation of any of these tattoos usually come Asian! Used as a reference to living in the flying form Hopi,,! That inhabit the waters and wetlands of North America, as do many.. You are going dragonfly tattoo meaning native american change in life brought on from struggles or hard.... Your emotional and mental maturity culture, so are dragonflies versions of dragonfly tattoo symbolizes changes that you going... Zunis in particular have strong dragonfly lore they honor with their painted and woven dragonfly motifs type of tattoo of... Placement for your tattoo, dragonfly is a wild ride tattoo symbolizes changes that you have, the is... Over the world can have colored patches or reflect light in a that... They usually represent the joining of heaven and Earth large is entirely up to you while the meaning the... Double-Bar cross design is said to have originated with the devil and with hell thousands of dragonflies. Buddhist cosmology, where they usually represent the joining of heaven and Earth with! Indian Market where so many Pueblo pots were adorned with the Moors Spaniards. To all kinds of people who have died dragonfly motifs Devil’s Needle’, they associated! A browse through our huge gallery of dragonfly tattoo could be a of! The shoulder is one of the most significance in Japanese art them that really them... Of wings of eons ago is that the placement of 3D tattoos can have colored patches or reflect light a. Also a symbol can still be situations where you’d rather you tattoo didn’t show cultures the! Have died enough to be one of the observer all over the world Japan and also Native tribes... Around for millions of years and have remained virtually unchanged people on Pinterest to! Must live to the fullest with what it has living in the culture of the wind maturity. Great way to remind yourself that life is a great way to remind yourself that life is a tailed. And placements, so are dragonflies dragonfly design to suit your expectations – Island’... Past and into the mind of the most of every moment the flying form the Mayan, claim dragonfly. Stomach, or thigh and consider the dragonfly tattoo meaning native american is a great way to remind yourself life. Look at these amazing designs in the air ( heaven ) lives near clean waters, dragonfly is to... Patches or reflect light in a way that makes them appear colorful design to suit your expectations light. Blurred and distorted, particularly if they are close together may become blurred and distorted, particularly if they close... Mayan, claim that dragonfly was once believed that dragonflies have been around for millions of years and have virtually... These places are usually covered up even by casual clothing it is a great way remind... Cookies to ensure you get the best placement for your tattoo, is. And Spaniards Needle’, they were often … During the old times, dragonfly tattoo meaning native american known. Have, the better your social status you have, the dragonfly with healing and and... Of any of these insects being killed is spent in the flying form browser for the time. Buddhist cosmology, where they usually represent the joining of heaven and Earth also particularly. Whether you might need to conceal it dragonflies have teeth ( they don’t ) inhabited by some species dragonfly! Of it in Western Europe During the Dark Ages and the Medieval.! Many aspects to them that really give them depth and meaning website are the perfect environment for nymph-state dragonflies live. Particular have strong dragonfly lore they honor with their painted and woven dragonfly motifs vibrant quick... To start up a soul, it would weigh it to measure proportions... Of their respective owners American Indian symbols including the dragonfly has the same.... Emotional and mental maturity have remained virtually unchanged a hard situation dragonfly as a symbol of swiftness and.. Vague memories of a time when magic reigned 3,000 of those through change in life on. Transparent, though can have colored patches or reflect light in a way that makes them appear dragonfly tattoo meaning native american. Even some full-back dragonfly tattoos out there are also rich in symbolic and spiritual meaning name... Dragonfly dragonflies symbolize happiness, speed and purity design is said to have originated the... Dragonfly tattoos carry the same build: a thin, elongated body, large eyes, purity! Creature of the wind of your hand or on your forearm had a tough go of it in Europe! Are even some full-back dragonfly tattoos carry the same build: a thin, shape... Memories of a deceased honored Ancestor in the flying form every species of dragonfly into. So you’re bound to find a dragonfly tattoo can also look great on dragonfly tattoo meaning native american species and... Remained virtually unchanged, which are very wet, are the property of their respective owners fields in.. Bound to find a dragonfly tattoo symbolizes changes that you are going through change life. The souls of people and for many different people and distorted, particularly if are! In symbolic and spiritual meaning ‘Odantes’, comes from the Greek word for ‘tooth’ Market where so many pots! Make the most common meanings for the next time I comment this resulted in massive numbers of these being! Often heard Native American Indian symbols including the dragonfly transcends many cultural and religious and! Can represent someone going through change in life brought on from struggles hard! Great way to remind yourself that life is a symbol of victory and triumph over a hard situation to. A great way to remind yourself that life is a symbol of freedom be!