Of Dragonflies and Butterflies
Fresh butterfly and dragonfly tattoo tattoo by Needlez Tattoo in Kingston, Jamaica
One year and almost four months ago, I got a tattoo. In my usual fashion, I'd meant to write a long and storied description of why I chose the particular elements in my design, what each thing meant, etcetera, etcetera. But my life is too busy to write everything I want. I can still write something short and meaningful, I said to myself. So here we go.
There are a lot of elements in this tattoo, and I'll eventually write about the entire design, but I wanted to focus on the dragonfly and the butterfly.
I shared with my therapist that I was interested in getting a tattoo, and we spoke about my design. I mentioned getting a butterfly somewhere in the design. She then suggested another element. What about a..... unable in that moment to remember the name she described it, four wings, able to keep very still despite the strength of the wind that might be blowing. I had focused and reacted to the "insect?" I didn't want an insect on my arm! But we searched nonetheless and realized she was talking about the dragonfly. Not one to dismiss an idea before researching it; that's what I did after our session.
Staying still in the strongest of winds spoke to me. If you know anything about me, you know that I don't usually make quick decisions (even about food), I try to see at least 100 steps for all the possible choices, and I research. Only when I've gathered everything, do I make my move/decision. And when I act, it is with determined precision and swiftness (though seminary has rubbed that trait down somewhat).
The other thing about the dragonfly was the spiritual meanings and symbolism - change, transformation, adaptability, self-realization, and an invitation to get more in tune with one's emotions. Six months into therapy, immigration limbo, new discovery of self and others, and the formative seminary process made the meanings of the dragonfly make sense. I had to include this in my tattoo, even though it was an insect!
Image by Adina Voicu from Pixabay
The butterfly had similar meanings to the dragonfly, with a few added ones, new beginnings, positivity, renewal, joy, and hope. And I really needed these to cushion life as it was happening.
Both of these flying beauties remind me daily of my ability to rise. To rise when nothing is going according to plan, when everything is changing, and when the ground shifts and suddenly I'm just falling. When cataclysmic changes charge at me from left or right, above or below, in front or behind, these winged creations occupying my arm remind me that I've got wings (some serious inner determination) and winds beneath them (my systems of support).
Do you have tattoos? What do they mean? Do you have some animals or insects that hold special and specific meaning(s) for you? Drop a picture and a comment.
