Collection: Dragonfly Jewelry

Dragonflies are beautiful insects that have fascinated people for millennia. Dragonfly imagery has been found on pottery dating back to 1500 BC, and many cultures have stories about the dragonfly’s significance. Their iridescent wings and graceful agility led some cultures to associate dragonflies with fairies. In other cultures, fishermen check for the presence of dragonflies when seeking a good fishing area. Today, the scientific community considers the dragonfly an indicator species of a region’s ecological health. Whether as a spiritual or ecological guide, dragonflies are special creatures.

Dragonflies in Nature

Dragonflies – and their oft-confused cousins, damselflies –  have existed since prehistoric times. Fossil records show large, dragonfly-like insects existed roughly 325 million years ago, and dragonfly images adorn ancient pottery and jewelry found at archeological sites around the world, showing that humans have an ancient connection to dragonflies. Not only did dragonflies indicate good fishing areas, but their voracious appetite kept mosquito and fly populations in check. Ancient cultures possibly noted fewer outbreaks of disease during years when dragonflies were plentiful, leading some to associate dragonflies with protection from disease.

Dragonflies in Folklore

Dragonflies feature predominantly in various folklores. Celts believed that fairies rode upon the backs of dragonflies, or that dragonflies were fairies themselves. The Norse associated dragonflies with Freya, the goddess of love, war, and fertility. Even dragonfly larvae are named after mythical Greek spirits of nature: “nymphs” and “naiads.” 

Outside of Europe, Japanese legends state that Jimmu, Japan’s first emperor, called Japan “Akitsu-Shima” (Dragonfly Islands) after seeing the shape of the islands from a mountaintop. In the American Southwest, the Zuni believe that the first dragonfly was born from a doll made by a boy to comfort his sister. Other Native American peoples believed that dragonflies were the descendants of a dragon tricked by Coyote.

Dragonfly Symbolism

Dragonflies are revered for their beauty as well as their ferocity and can symbolize many things. Their opalescent wings, glittering in the sun while at rest, yet practically invisible when the dragonfly takes flight, represent illusion and magic. Like butterflies, they are seen as symbols of change, and represent the elements of water and air, since they spend part of their lives in each. In fact, the Navajo people see dragonflies as a symbol of pure water. Their quick, darting movements represent the need for adaptability, and their short adult lifespan reminds us to live life to the fullest. Dragonflies are a national emblem of Japan, representing delicate beauty, happiness, and success. Ancient samurai often included dragonflies in their family crests. They are also harbingers of autumn and are believed to represent ancestors returning to visit the living during Japan’s Bon Festival.