A praying mantis is a beautiful yet curious-looking creature with alien-like features and awkward movements. They are not very common to see, and have perfected their undercover skills so that they camouflage into the world around them seamlessly. When you spot a praying mantis, it is because they have chosen to step out of their disguise to show themselves to you.
So, what is the spiritual meaning of a praying mantis? The spiritual meaning of a praying mantis represents trust, introspection, new perspectives, intuitive abilities, and spiritual connection. It is often a sign that the energies from other dimensions are sending you a message to trust your own inner guidance and to be patient to wait for the flow of the universe to sort everything out.
There are many different meanings of a praying mantis depending on the context that you see it, how often, and how you feel after having sightings of this elusive creature. This article will explain the various interpretations of spiritual messages from a praying mantis, and how to determine if a praying mantis is your animal spirit guide or animal totem.
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The History and Symbolism Of a Praying Mantis
“From whence arrived the praying mantis?
From outer space, or lost Atlantis?
glimpse the grin, green metal mug
at masks the pseudo-saintly bug,
Orthopterous, also carnivorous,
And faintly whisper, Lord deliver us.”
–Ogden Nash
The praying mantis, even in its name, represents the connection that this insect being has with the spiritual world. The name “Praying Mantis” is said to be given to the insect because of the position it holds it’s front arms, as it appears that it is praying.
However, in Greek, this work mantid or mantis means “prophet” or “seer,” which aligns with their belief that the praying mantis held supernatural power. Along with Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt and Assyria also held this belief about the mysterious insect.
In both Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt, the spiritual role of the praying mantis was to serve as a guide for those who were lost. In Ancient Greece, it was said that the praying mantis helped lost travelers to get back to safety. In Ancient Egypt, the “bird-fly” god assisted those who died to travel to the underworld [Source].
The facial features of the praying mantis resemble that of extraterrestrials, with their triangle-shaped head, large eyes, and glowing green bodies, making many people believe that these insect beings were sent here from another world.
Those people believe that praying mantises have a unique connection with other dimensions and are used as conduits for spiritual messages to be sent to humans who are at a vibration to receive energetic communication.
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The Spiritual Meaning of a Praying Mantis
Spiritually, the praying mantis represents the power of introspection, meditation, and investigation into your Higher Self and purpose. The praying mantis represents clear sight or clear knowing of psychic energies that shape your reality.
If a praying mantis shows up in your life, it represents the need to step away from the distractions of everyday life and to take some time to look inward to connect with the intuitive insight deep within your soul.
It may be a time where meditation will give you the insight that you need in order to find center and balance in your life. During this period you are likely to have sudden revelations and creative inspiration when you sit still and look within.
Sitting still, you begin to tune into your own inner wisdom, which unlocks the truth about who you are and where you are meant to be going. Once you get this revelation, you can begin the journey towards your highest truth, leaving behind the lower vibrational layers that have held you back. The praying mantis, with its shifty eyes and graceful movements, lets you know that the universe will help light the way – all you need to do is trust your own intuition.
Spiritual Meaning of a Praying Mantis Landing On You
A praying mantis can land on you when you are at a pivotal point in your life and needing to make a big change. This includes taking big risks, whether it deciding on a program for school, accepting a position at a new job, moving to a new location, etc.
This is a time to sit on a mediation mat and do some deep self-examination to determine what your long term goals are, spiritually, emotionally or financially. It may be a good time to draw up a 5-year plan and begin to set yourself up for the version of yourself that you want to be.
The sign of a praying mantis landing on your is a sign that your purpose lies deeper than a superficial or materialistic reality. You have a spiritual power within you that is being called to awaken. This path may ask you to temporarily give up the comforts of a materialistic life in search of the deeper meaning behind your existence.
However, this does not mean that you will have to choose a life of poverty and abstaining from material pleasures. It simply means that for a time it may be helpful to find yourself without these distractions so that you can see a clear path ahead. Once you see your path, the universe will not hold back to send you whatever you need to accomplish your goals.
A praying mantis may land on you to let you know that your vibration is increasing, as they are attracted to high vibrations in their environment. This may be a time to lean into your spiritual growth, which may require you to seek out an intuitive coach, mentor, community or take classes on spiritual growth (affiliate link). Doing a long meditation retreat, such as a 10-day Vipassana retreat may be something that interests you during this time.
Spiritual Meaning of a Dead Praying Mantis
Seeing a dead praying mantis, especially if you see them repeatedly, can be a sign with multiple spiritual meanings.
First, it can let you know that you are too distracted on superficial matters and are not spending enough time on your spiritual growth. Your usual high vibration is lower than normal, causing your manifestation to slow down or stop altogether. There may be a new stressor in your life that is causing you to veer off the path, and it may be a good idea to cut out unnecessary dramas.
Another meaning of seeing a dead praying mantis could be that you are taking too much time meditating and being too introspective, and not taking enough action. The saying “too much of a good thing” is the message in this case. Your physical reality is beginning to atrophy because you are spending too much time in your imagined reality.
When you see a dead praying mantis, it is important to pay attention to the energy you are giving to your spiritual growth. Has it been neglected? Or has it been too much?
If it has been neglected, it is time to set up a wellness routine so that you can begin to focus on yourself again. If it has been too much, it is time to get up off the meditation mat and start taking action towards your goals.
If you keep seeing dead praying mantises and are worried about a relationship or romantic matters, this may be a sign that there is a spiritual disconnection between you and your partner that is causing the relationship harm. One of you may be drawing away from the other in search of spiritual fulfillment elsewhere.
Open communication about each other’s spiritual goals is the message that a dead praying mantis is sending. Without fostering spiritual growth in each other, there is no light to guide you through life’s challenges, and no common threads weaving your paths towards a shared, evolved, and elevated future.
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Praying Mantis as a Spiritual Messanger Between Worlds
Many people report that they see a praying mantis following the death of a loved one or pet. This is especially true for female praying mantises because they carry with them the Divine feminine energy of intuition, and also the energy of the underworld.
Female praying mantises show up when the veil between you and the spiritual realm is thin, caused by the recent passing of a loved one, or the visitation of a loved one.
Praying mantises represent lost souls that are guided home, peace, resolution and the transmutation of energy back to universal consciousness.
If you see a praying mantis while experiencing the grief of losing a loved one or pet, the message is that everything is ok and as it is supposed to be.
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Praying Mantis as Your Spirit Guide or Animal Totem
There are some people that have incarnated with a unique spiritual affinity towards animals, with some animals carrying more spiritual connections than others.
The breath of life that flows in and around the universe is able to naturally flow in and through the animal kingdom, so spiritual messages and signs are often sent to us through them. This is especially true for those that are sensitive to their energies. These include any animate beings – animals, reptiles, insects and such.
If you are seeing a praying mantis in synchronistic sightings, having dreams and visions of praying mantises, or just thinking about them frequently, these may be signs that a praying mantis is your animal spirit guide or animal totem.
If your spirit animal is a praying mantis, it is reflecting back to you the attributes that you are discovering within yourself. At its core, you want to study this insect to determine what qualities of this mystical creature stand out to you.
For example, does its grace and elegance stand out? Its bring green color? The way its eyes move about as it observes the world with acute detail? Its slow, methodical movements? Its ability to be a sophisticated, cunning and often ruthless predator?
Whatever is drawing your curiosity to investigate this creature further are aspects of yourself that you should look at as well.
In general, praying mantises as an animal totem or animal guide are showing you your intuitive connection to the world around you, and your psychic abilities. Just by looking at them, it is clear that they are mystical and metaphysical beings of light. I often imagine them touching my third eye with their raptor-like feet, exploding open my third eye to discover the mysteries of the universe.
They hold immense power, but give an impression of complete innocence and child-like curiosity. These are the qualities of someone with clairvoyant abilities – knowing the power that they hold, yet, also knowing that the only way to access that power is to stay at a high vibration of purity and child-like enthusiasm while exploring the inner workings of the spiritual dimension.
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Summary
If you frequently see praying mantises or see them in dreams or meditations, they may be trying to send you a spiritual message. It may be a good idea to keep a journal and document the occurrences and what you felt during your encounter with a praying mantis. Have you been asking the universe to send you a sign or a spirit animal? This could be communication from the universe.
Like everything on this site and on the internet, use your intuition when deciding what symbolism works best for you. While this is one interpretation of the spiritual meaning of a praying mantis, everyone has their own intuitive language. Sit still and listen to your own answers about what the symbolism of praying mantises mean to you and your spiritual journey.
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