My niece and I went to get our first tattoos together--something we've planned for awhile! Sapphire represents Ryder's birthstone color, the dragonfly (if you've followed
Symbolism's of the Dragonfly
- Maturity and a Depth of character
The dragonfly, in
almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective
of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and
emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to
this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across
water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into
the deeper implications and aspects of life.
- Power and Poise
The dragonfly’s agile flight and its
ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise -
something that comes only with age and maturity.
The dragonfly can move at
an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a
hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side. What is mind blowing is
the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute
while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a
minute respectively.
The awe inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly
accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if
you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes
when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it
with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer. If this
is not a brazen, lazy, overkill in terms of display of raw power, what is?
- Defeat of Self Created Illusions
The dragonfly exhibits
iridescence both on its wings as well as on its body. Iridescence is the
property of an object to show itself in different colors depending on the angle
and polarization of light falling on it.
This property is seen and
believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the
realities of life. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with
the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the
doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means
self discovery and removal of inhibitions.
- Focus on living ‘IN’ the moment
The dragonfly normally
lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction
of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it
all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life
symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to
the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you
are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices
on a moment-to-moment basis.
This ability lets you live your life
without regrets like the great dragonfly.
- The opening of one’s eyes
The eyes of the dragonfly are
one of the most amazing and awe inspiring sights. Given almost 80% of the
insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight and the fact that it can see in
all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and
the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self. It also in a manner
of speaking symbolizes a man/woman’s rising from materialism to be able to see
beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own
minds
Kayla got the saying "Go Carefully" in her mother's handwriting with a Harry Potter lightning bolt!
