35 Dragonfly Quotes to Spark Fortune and Inspiration
When you watch birds as a hobby, it's called birding. But if you're fascinated with dragonflies, it's called oding, from the dragonfly's order Odonata. These swift creatures, also called darners, are some of the most striking flying insects that evolved around 300 million years ago (Older than dinosaurs!).
Dragonflies in the wild are considered an omen of good luck and fortune. They also symbolize joy and freedom, reminding us to live in the moment. With our collection of dragonfly quotes below, find inspiration from these winged insects while learning more about their significance in nature and different cultures.
Quick links to our selection of dragonfly quotes:
Best Dragonfly Quotes
We can find dragonflies on every continent except Antarctica. An estimated 3,000 existing dragonfly species worldwide live near water, and you can spot one near lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands.
They have evolved to survive in various environments - from hot, tropical areas to cold weather. However, only the larval dragonflies live during winter, and other adult species migrate to warmer regions.
Dragonflies today have a wingspan length of two to five inches, while their ancestors, Meganeura, can reach up to two and a half feet. Unfortunately, these humongous dragonflies went extinct with millions of species due to global warming caused by volcanic eruptions during the Permian–Triassic extinction, also known as the Great Dying.
Smaller dragonflies are better! Do you agree? Read on to appreciate them some more with our first batch of dragonfly quotes.
Quotes About Dragonfly Wings Fluttering In The Wild
Dragonflies are remarkable fliers and some of the best in nature. They have two pairs of thin, delicate wings that allow them to maneuver expertly during hunting. So if you're a mosquito or a tiny bug, you will be absolutely terrified.
Also, thanks to their two large compound eyes, dragonflies capture their food with their feet mid-flight. And a study reveals that they are the most efficient hunters1, with success rates of up to 95%. In comparison, the king of the jungle only has a 15 to 30% success rate.
Increase your admiration for these efficient winged predators as you read the following dragonfly quotes.
Inspirational Dragonfly Quotes
A dragon's lifecycle varies per species. They spend a chunk of their lives in the larva or nymph stage. Typically they mature to the adult stage in one to two years.
However, species like the Golden-ringed dragonfly take five years because of their cooler habitats where food is scarcer. Unlike butterflies, dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis with no pupal stage.
Throughout their life, the winged predators only spend a fraction of their time as adults. From their last molting stage, they only have a few months to live the rest of their lives, mostly during summer.
The dragonfly is an important reminder that although our lives are longer, our time is still limited and should not be wasted. So live in the moment and get inspiration from the dragonfly quotes below.
Related: You might also like our butterfly quotes celebrating the transformation from caterpillar to beauty.
Metaphorical Dragonfly Quotes To Read
What's in a name? According to Romanian folklore, the devil cursed St. George's horse into a giant insect, which they called the devil's horse, whose name eventually translated to dragonfly in English.
But they're far from cursed! Instead, fishermen believed they brought good fortune and signified an abundant fishing ground. Science is proving this old tale thanks to South African researchers who compiled all records and research about the winged insect to develop the Dragonfly Biotic Index. According to the researchers, the index can show or monitor the environmental health and conservation status of aquatic ecosystems3.
Language is colorful. We put animals in both good and bad light, but at the end of the day, they're living beings with a purpose. Check out how sayings and language refer to this flying insect in their dragonfly sayings and quotes below.
Other Dragonfly Quotes In Art And Literature
If all dragonflies ceased to exist, mosquitoes and flies would have a field day! One of our winged friends can eat thirty to a hundred mosquitoes daily. Not only that, but their flight expertise has also inspired our drone technology2.
Now, we have to return the favor by conserving their habitats, which need protection from pollution and habitat loss. Aside from creating a dragonfly-friendly garden, we can also support dragonfly sanctuaries worldwide, like Dragonfly Park in Shimanto, Japan, and Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond in New Mexico, U.S.A.
After you finish the rest of our dragonfly quotes below, remember that every dragonfly exists for a reason. So let's protect all of them!
And for more inspiration about our flying insect friends, you might like our bee quotes, ladybug facts, and general bug facts.
1 | S. A. Combes, D. E. Rundle, J. M. Iwasaki, J. D. Crall; Linking biomechanics and ecology through predator–prey interactions: flight performance of dragonflies and their prey. J Exp Biol 15 March 2012; 215 (6): 903–913. |
2 | Chahl J, Chitsaz N, McIvor B, Ogunwa T, Kok J-M, McIntyre T, Abdullah E. Biomimetic Drones Inspired by Dragonflies Will Require a Systems Based Approach and Insights from Biology. Drones. 2021; 5(2):24. |
3 | de Moor, F. C. (2017). Dragonflies as indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. South African Journal of Science, 113(3/4), 2. |
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.