Legend of the Dragonfly

Dragonfly necklace ©Mary Montague Sikes

When I wear my dragonfly necklace, people often ask me about the legend of the beautiful insect. Artist Tina McCloud is the creator of this striking piece of jewelry that I saw her wearing at a meeting one day. I complimented it, and she responded with, "It's for sale." I bought it and have never regretted the purchase. It became part of my "Passenger to Paradise" series of books, first appearing in Night Watch.

I noted the legend in that book.

"The dragonfly is a symbol of change, going beyond self-illusion to create new beginnings and happiness. Because their colors result from reflected and refracted light, dragonflies may be associated with color magic and illusion. For some Native Americans they represent the souls of the dead."

Dragonflies are often featured in my art, especially the work I create on Yupo. This is small section of a diptych acrylic painting.

I love dragonflies and will keep on searching for their meaning.

"So Many Dragonflies" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Symbolism in Writing - The Dragonfly

"Dragonfly Morning" (detail) ©Mary Montague Sikes

From the time I first started reading, I was captivated by symbolism. Of course, at a very young age, I didn't know what that word meant, but anything that brought pictures into my mind gave me joy.

These days, I enjoy creating images that symbolize or express an intangible ideal. I am especially intrigued by the dragonfly.

Did you know that certain cultures, like some tribes of the native American Indians, believe dragonflies are the souls of the dead? There are many other beliefs as well, such as they represent new beginnings, prosperity, happiness, and much more.

While I was working on my novel, Night Watch, we took a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Upon our arrival, I heard a lot of commotion on the balcony outside our sliding glass door. Concerned, I went to see what was happening. To my surprise, a half-dozen or more dragonflies were flying around, bumping into the glass, with the light of the setting sun reflecting on their transparent wings. I was enchanted and in complete awe. It was like a sign because in my book, the dragonfly holds a special meaning. It is symbolic of the change taking place in my heroine's life. For many centuries, the dragonfly has been a symbol of change, so what better creature to be a part of my story?

Last week, I decided to make a painting with dragonflies in it. I then took a detail from my new art work and made a greeting card. Inside each card, I placed the following message on an insert:

"The dragonfly is a symbol of change, going beyond self-illusion to create new beginnings and happiness. Because their colors result from reflected and refracted light, dragonflies may be associated with color magic and illusion. For some Native Americans they represent the souls of the dead.

When Lily discovers the dragonfly necklace in Night Watch, she reconnects with a past she does not quite understand. The dragonfly represents all the change that has occurred in her life. It is a symbol of a new beginning for her, and it brings back a bit of magic into her life as well."

 

At my book signing, I focused on Night Watch and gave a copy of my new card and insert with each purchase of my books. The dragonfly represents magic and beauty to me.

Souls of the dead?

Perhaps. We know so little about life...

People are attracted to dragonflies. During the next few weeks, I plan to paint more of them.

--Mary Montague Sikes

Dragonflies, Luck, Magic, Hemingway, and Night Watch

Hemingway House Dragonfly Fountain

Not long ago, when we arrived at our vacation condo, I was surprised to hear persistent thumping against the wide sliding glass doors that overlook a lagoon. When I went to investigate the noise, I discovered two large dragonflies crashing into the glass outside. It was as if they were trying to attract my attention.

I had to smile. For me, the dragonfly is a symbol of good luck.

Earlier in the summer, I discovered I'm not the only writer who is enamored with the dragonfly. When we entered the yard of the Hemingway House in Key West, the first thing I saw was a fountain in which a dragonfly sculpture was central. Before I snapped a large array of photographs, I sat by the little fountain for a while just studying it.

What is it about these little fast-flying creatures with the luminous wings that attracts us? For the past few months, I've noticed the symbol more and more--scarves in the Butterfly Conservatory gift shop, jewelry in catalogs, Christmas decorations. They are everywhere.

But the item that has attracted me most is a necklace created by artist Tina McCloud. When I first saw her wearing that necklace, I fell in love with it and bought it from her on the spot. Then, suddenly, I was compelled to find a place for it in the book I was writing at the time.

How could the necklace be connected to the plot of my mystery/suspense story, Night Watch, set in Trinidad? I pondered until I imagined the perfect way to create a critical tie between the heroine of my book and that necklace.

Now, I wear the necklace often, especially when I go somewhere to promote Night Watch. Wherever I wear it, perfect strangers stop to admire it and ask about it. It's another symbol to let me know that dragonflies are magical. And I feel the magic every time I see one.

Writers need magic and a lot of good luck. They need dragonflies.