What do you know about the praying mantis and its meaning? After observing this creature for a while, you understand why the symbolism of the praying mantis is related to calmness and patience.
The mantis takes its time with everything, even mating, and lives its life at its own pace. Discover the meanings of the praying mantis (dictyoptera mantis or mantis religiosa) by continuing reading.
Do praying mantises have a meaning that may interest many people? This insect, nicknamed the grass tiger, usually appears when we seek peace, tranquility and calm in our lives.
Usually, this predatory insect appears when chaos floods our lives. It bursts into our daily lives when we are unable to hear that little voice deep within us.
Animals have a way of coming to us when we most need to hear their messages.
It is a spiritual guide who tries to enter our lives, to attract our attention. In the case of praying mantises, also known as the prophetess or prie-Dieu, they can represent everything from precision to prophecy, from contemplation to deliberation, as well as vision, prayer, perception and synchronicity.
It is a carnivorous insect with a very small, extremely mobile triangular head. It has predatory front legs that are always on the lookout for prey.
If they appear around you, it could be a sign that you need to make wise choices and act with precision, deepen your mindfulness practice, or be more patient.
This is a creature that encourages us to slow down, connect to our inner wisdom, and even sharpen our clairvoyance skills.
Historically, she adds, the praying mantis actually inspired a form of kung fu martial arts. During the Northern Song period, a Chinese master named Wang Lang was inspired by the movements of the praying mantis after losing a martial arts competition.
Wang Lang observed a praying mantis trying to catch a cicada and was inspired by the mantis’ agile movements.
It is said that he then collected praying mantises and brought them back to the Shaolin Temple to observe them up close, before creating his own form of kung fu, inspired by the movements of the mantises.
The praying mantis as a spiritual messenger
The word “mantis” comes from the Greek language, and its meaning is prophet or seer. It is also linked to the word “menos” which means spirit and passion.
Therefore, the praying mantis is often considered a symbol of a person with clairvoyant abilities and a master of meditation.
Even in the healing arts, it is not uncommon for the spirit of the mantis to be invoked and channeled. However, for this to happen, the healer must first enter a calm, contemplative state where they can get in touch with their higher knowing.
Then, like the mantis, it must identify the precise area on which it must concentrate. Once this meditative connection is established, he can concentrate on the subject in question and achieve the desired effect.
Like many insects and small animals, the spirit often uses the praying mantis to send a message to anyone it wants.
If you are on the receiving end of such a message in the form of a mantis sighting, the likely meaning is to remind you to slow down and appreciate every moment of every day and the connections you make with other people.
A person who can’t concentrate or is constantly mindlessly running around doing a million things at once is the likely recipient of such a message.
The praying mantis as a spirit animal
People with the praying mantis as their totem must learn to take the time to live at a silent pace. Furthermore, mantises never move without careful thought or contemplation.
So these insects know where they are heading and when they will arrive at their destination. Even in a serene and calm environment, individuals who choose this totem animal can act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.
When you see praying mantises frequently in your dreams and visions, it is a sign that this insect is your spirit guide.
If so, it will direct you to the attributes that are deep within you. Somehow you want to study the praying mantis to determine its mystical qualities.
For example, is its green color intense? The way her eyes move when she observes the world, is it precise?
Everything that draws you to this creature is a part of you that you should definitely examine. Normally, praying mantises show you where your intuition should be pointing.
They encourage you to use your psychic abilities. You will easily notice that they are metaphysical and mystical beings of light.
They are insects that can touch the third eye with their legs, thus exploding this part so that you can discover the universal mysteries.
They hold immense power, but at the same time have a complete childlike innocence and curiosity. These are the qualities of an individual with clairvoyance skills.
This type of person knows their power and also knows that the only way to access it is to maintain a high vibration of enthusiasm and purity while exploring other spiritual dimensions.
What does the discovery of a praying mantis mean?
In your garden or while trekking, you have surely already encountered a praying mantis. After a while you will be able to see it in the grass because it looks like a leaf or a small stick. When you meet a mantis, do you know what it means?
This question has many answers. Which part of the world, which culture, which country do you belong to? It’s up to you to decide.
According to Japanese folklore, you will die if you come into contact with a praying mantis. Italians believe that if you find a mantis and it stares at you, you will be unwell and sick. This is a widespread myth in Italian society.
The mantis, for its part, is considered a blessing by Christians. There is a common belief that if you experience this prayerful pose, you have met your guardian angel.
When in a prayer position, Muslims consider that the praying mantis always faces Mecca.
The Bushmen of the Kalahari in Africa revere and consider this insect to be the oldest symbol of God. They believe she is an incarnation of God, and every time they see one, they try to decipher its message.
Have you ever encountered a praying mantis in most of the places you have visited? Or maybe she appears in your dreams?
I imagine you may have passed this off as a mere coincidence, or perhaps you think you have become too obsessed with this special visitor to the point of seeing him everywhere you go?
Oh no, you’re not obsessed with the mantis and it’s not a coincidence either! It could mean something else: a divine message to you, or a wake-up call for you to look more closely at your situations.
A message that could answer all the questions you have about your life lately. This is just one of the many ways the Universe communicates with you.
He always answers our questions in one form or another. We just have to pay attention and discern it.
Symbolism of a praying mantis resting on you
The praying mantis lands on people when they are at a pivotal time in their lives and need a big change. When this happens, taking risks such as accepting a new position, moving, among others, are directly linked to this situation.
The sign of this insect landing on you is profound and is not like a materialistic or superficial reality. Deep inside you, you have a spiritual force that is called to awaken, a golden thread .
This life path might ask you to temporarily let go of the comfort of your materialistic life in search of deeper meaning in your existence.
However, this does not mean that you will have to choose a life of poverty and abstain from small material pleasures.
The praying mantis means that, for a little while, it might be helpful to no longer be distracted so that you can follow the right path clearly. As soon as it is the right time and you see the right path, the universe will send you everything you need to achieve your goals.
The praying mantis lands on people to let people know when their vibration rate increases. This insect is attracted to high vibrations.
So the message is to focus on your spiritual growth. To do this, it is possible to do a type of retreat, for example, a weekend of meditation, yoga or it can be any activity that currently appeals to you greatly.
Symbolic Meanings of the Praying Mantis Among Native Americans
The praying mantis is a beneficial insect that preys on harmful insects such as moths, grasshoppers, aphids and caterpillars.
All insects, including cicadas and praying mantises, are sacred in North America. Native Americans knew and believed that insects preceded man in the creation of the Earth.
In fact, many Native American tales and legends speak of the creation of the Earth thanks to Grandmother Spider. This is why you see paintings, inscriptions, symbols and carvings on rocks, cave paintings, jade artwork, jewelry and headdresses bearing these insect symbols.
The natives believed that praying mantises were symbols of wealth and good fortune – they were even synonymous with success and large families. These insects also represented the cycle of life, death and resurrection.
Because praying mantises resembled human hands in prayer, they were considered symbols of the Great Spirit and were often used in ceremonies, medicine, animal totems, and healing.
As mantises suddenly emerged from the ground, the natives considered them symbols of rebirth and resurrection.
Many of these insects were placed in the mouths of dying humans to facilitate their passage to the afterlife. For some tribes, it was the only way to predict the weather and harvests. They also listened carefully to the sounds made by these insects when they went hunting.
The praying mantis: a symbol of Christianity
What other insect can have greater meaning and symbolic importance than the one whose legs resemble human hands in prayer?
If you are wondering about the spiritual meaning of the praying mantis, it stands to reason that its spiritual meaning is to always stay focused on God. Early Christian symbolism adopted the popular belief in the divining power of the praying mantis.
The praying mantis also has a rather frightening appearance and is carnivorous. It is probably responsible for many harmful insects over the course of a season. The female mantis is known to kill her mate after copulation.
The praying mantis and the interpretation of dreams
When you see a praying mantis in your dreams, it means that you are guided by your intuition. In other words, your instinctive reactions as well as the emotions that have been arising within you for some time are trying to tell you a little more about your current situation.
Always have confidence in yourself and do not hesitate to act accordingly. Let yourself be guided by life or let yourself be guided by your instinct.
If the mantis you see is colorful, the dream represents the need to be who you really are. Sometimes you prefer to blend into the background, even if your personality is very beautiful. Dare to be yourself and find the right place to be authentic!
The dead praying mantis
When you dream of a dead version of this insect, your soul might wake up. It’s a sign that you’re spending too much time or thinking about things that have nothing to do with your work.
You need to stop wasting all your time on unimportant things. Try to look at the major milestones in your life.
Furthermore, if you have this dream, it may be time to let go of what no longer serves you and embark on a new path. The dream of the dead praying mantis is an invitation to step into your power and live more fully from your truth.
Being stung by the praying mantis
Attacks from this insect can indicate the path you need to take for your spiritual development .
Therefore, seeing the friendly praying mantis in your dreams is a good sign of things to come. These types of dreams indicate emotional and spiritual control and are a sign that you can take charge of yourself.
Praying mantis attack on your spouse
If your partner is attacked by this insect in a dream, it is a sign that your married life is in trouble. You and your lover have a spiritual gap that needs to be bridged.
It is very possible that you are disconnected from your spouse on a spiritual level. Sometimes this is due to differences in values or beliefs.
It may also simply be a sign that you need to take time for introspection and reflection. Either way, the dream is probably trying to tell you that you need to pay attention to the spiritual aspect of your relationship.
5 Spiritual Meanings Behind the Praying Mantis
Discover the spiritual meanings of the praying mantis below.
1. Take advantage of the calm
The slow, calculated movements of the praying mantis can serve as a reminder to tap into your own inner calm and attention.
If you are too hasty in your actions or words, the praying mantis teaches you how to use the immense power of stillness to achieve clarity, which can then lead to action.
2. Connect to the spiritual realms
Praying mantises have a deep connection to the unseen realms. When they appear to you, they may encourage you to work with their energy in prayer, meditation, or the ancient healing arts to deepen your practices. They have a very sharp point of view on spirituality.
3. Answer your soul’s call
If you want to synchronize with the rhythms and desires of your soul and body, you must live according to them. Avoid living according to external constructs like forced work hours. You can call on the praying mantis to help you improve your state of being.
4. Slow down your lifestyle
Praying mantises ask us to immerse ourselves in calm and slow down. Don’t rush your next actions or talk about your visions too soon. The mantis is related to patience and waiting for the exact moment to step forward or speak.
The praying mantis shows up when it’s time to deepen your spiritual or mindfulness practices, particularly if you’ve been feeling impatient with something in your life.
5. Surrender
If you are looking for clarity, next steps or answers, the praying mantis allows you to surrender the problem or question to her, to spirit and to Mother Earth, releasing her and asking that the solution that serves the greater good is revealed.
4. Slow down your lifestyle
Praying mantises ask us to immerse ourselves in calm and slow down. Don’t rush your next actions or talk about your visions too soon. The mantis is related to patience and waiting for the exact moment to step forward or speak.
The praying mantis shows up when it’s time to deepen your spiritual or mindfulness practices, particularly if you’ve been feeling impatient with something in your life.
5. Surrender
If you are looking for clarity, next steps or answers, the praying mantis allows you to surrender the problem or question to her, to spirit and to Mother Earth, releasing her and asking that the solution that serves the greater good is revealed.
