The Dragonfly is an avatar for the DORLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS COLONY

By Janet Roberts Resident Writer, Dorland Mt. Colony for the Arts  for the Fall Festival 2012

 Let’s consider that 2012 is the YEAR OF THE DRAGON IN  CHINA and the symbolism associated with the dragon fly, which is neither a “dragon” nor is it a “fly”.  

The namesake of a dragonfly, is, of course, the dragon!  The dragon in China is all powerful, life giving and life transforming, and is associated with rain, a life sustaining force.  The dragon also implies change.  

The dragonfly is most heralded in Japan.    The Japanese believe the dragonfly is a harbinger of renewal, happiness and strength in one’s life.  In pagan literature in the West, the dragonfly is associated with MAGIC, as of course, are dragons in fairy tales.   The dragonfly can help one let go of the past and assists in transforming one’s life and understanding. Novelist, Ursula le Guin  seizes upon this understanding in her employment of the dragon as a friendly messenger and protector, almost like the Christian angel.

Cultural perspectives.

The Native American Indians see the dragonfly as a “spiritual guide”…they hold a myth that once a dragon  was tricked by a coyote to shape shift into an insect, --which like Kafka’s story of the man who morphs into an insect, -- it proves  irreversible.    In this manifestation, the dragonfly evokes: speed, , illusion and change.   If the dragonfly occurs in a dream, or suddenly appears in front of you, it means something in your life is hidden from view, or a truth is being kept from you.

 

Dragonfly symbol on a Hopi  bowl from Sikyatki archaeological site.

For some Native American tribes the dragonfly represents “swiftness and activity”, and for the Navajo  they symbolize “pure water”. Dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery; stylized as a double-barred cross, they appear in Hopi  rock art and on Pueblo necklaces..

 

The drgaonfly appears in art deco design.  It is used in making jewelry and in fabrics and in Christmas tree ornaments.  . 

In Europe, some old folk stories have the dragonfly seeking out naughty noisy  children and sewing their mouths shut while they sleep.  This gives the dragonfly, the title of the “devil’s darning needle.”  “To darn “ is to “repair”.  No doubt, this is a folk wisdom told by nannies in Gothic stories..  As snakes in legend are akin to dragons, that no doubt gave rise to the negative allusions referencing the dragonfly as a  “snake doctor” and “the adder’s servant” when referring to  the dragonfly.  However, to a fisherman, sighting dragonflies over water betokens good luck, especially if the dragonfly lands on him, -- as inevitably it means fish beneath the waves. 

Scientifically, in the scheme of species, the dragonfly has a legacy of over 3000 years  and is incredibly varous, existing in 5000 species; it is one of the oldest survivers.  In the law of nature, it is very useful, as it eats mosquitoes, gnats, even ants, and bees, as well as crickets and butterflies.  It can consume its own weight in food each day.   The most spectacular feature is its 360 degree ranging vision, as it has compound eyes.  A model for the helicopter, it has great capacity for perching and “hovering” in mid air.   It can pinpoint mosquitoes with a motion sensor though its eyes do not see as clearly as other insects   It is very fast in flight; Australia has measured the dragonfly at 36 mph.    The dragonfly can fly in all directions, even backwards, as its wings are not jointed like a butterfly.   As with other species of insects, it does have 6 legs.  As an aquatic nymph, it can survive for four years, but when it becomes an adult,  it lives  for only two months.

THE DRAGONFLY IN  JAPAN

As a seasonal symbol in Japan, the dragonfly is associated with early and late summer and  early autumn.^[

The love for dragonflies is reflected in the fact that there are traditional names for almost all of the 200 species of dragonflies found in and around Japan.  Japanese children catch large dragonflies as a game, using a hair with a small pebble tied to each end, which they throw into the air. The dragonfly mistakes the pebbles for prey, gets tangled in the hair, and is dragged to the ground by the weight.

One of Japan's historical names – Akitsushima (Kanji: 秋津島 Hiragana: あきつしま) – is an archaic form literally meaning “Dragonfly Islands.” This is attributed to a legend in which Japan's mythical founder, Emperor Jinum was bitten by a mosquito which was then promptly eaten by a dragonfly.

In Japan, dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku.

HAIKU FROM JAPAN

Any aberrations from the 5-7-5 breath structure, no doubt have to do with translation from the  Japanese to English.   This structure of 17 syllables  has to do with the length of breath it takes to make the connections  (the Ah hah moment) the haiku accomplishes. .  Reference to the season, to the emotion being expressed and to the wonder of the Moment of the sensory (5 senses)  observation are the tasks of the haiku.   Its economy, precision, and clarity are goals of zen meditation practice.  It always employs a structure of 1 + 2 or 2 + 1, in terms of its internal observation and illumination.    

Have you come to save

us haiku poets?---- Red dragonfly!  (anon)

 

A naked child is  catching
Dragonflies at a road crossing,
Ignoring -- the noon sun.  (Anon)

Crimson pepper pod.
Autumn beginning --
Decided by the red dragonfly.!  (Shijo)

Two pairs of wings,--  look
At the   darting dragonfly.  (Basho )    

Dyed with the colors
-- of Autumnal dress,
O red dragonfly!   (Baksu Sui)

The dragonfly! 
Distant mountain reflected
---In his eyes.  (Issa)

Dance,  oh, dragonflies
In your world
of the setting sun!  

Meeting in flight, 
How wonderfully do the dragonflies
Turn their gaze 360 degrees!

                             Janet’s HAIKU

Gingko gold reaches
--high. Coins fluttering down
To the ground, -offerings.

A net of small hands
holding up the  cloud blown sky,
--  red maple starlets..

Gingo tree skeletons
Needles piercing the sky –
Umbrella of leaves.

 A shadow wrinkled
Over sand dunes, lilac grey –
A spectral dragonfly.

Falling  russet leaves,
Scatter red slips on the earth,
--burnt  Buddah offerings

Purify your heart,
Yoga  tree pose to the sky—
A blue dragonfly.

by Janet Roberts.  Copyright  2012.

More images of the Dragonfly in Architecture and Fabric

A motif on a house on Russian Hill, San Francisco, California Photo by Janet Roberts

A fabric  made in India   Photo by Janet Roberts