The cicada is a special insect. It shows us ideas like rebirth, immortality, and spiritual growth. Long ago, the Ancient Greeks and Romans thought it was linked to the god Apollo.
- Cicadas symbolize rebirth, change, and spiritual growth.
- Their song inspires joy, truth, and resilience.
- In China, they represent immortality, harvest, and protection.
- They appear in art, music, rituals, and pop culture worldwide.
- As spirit animals, they urge self-expression and growth.
- Seen as good omens and signs of positive transformation.
- In dreams, they signal healing, change, and good news.
The cicada helps people find their true voice and face hard times. It changes shape without hiding, teaching us that change and new beginnings are part of life.
The sound of cicadas in the hot summer reminds us to stay strong and grow, even when life is tough.
Cicada Spiritual Meaning
Cicada’s spiritual meaning is about rebirth, transformation, and renewal. It is a symbol of immortality, personal change, and happiness. Many believe it brings joy and represents spiritual realization. In China, it is linked to the life-giving principle of the Universe, fertility, and the harvest.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans saw the cicada as sacred to Apollo and connected to Dionysiac Bacchae and Maenads. It was a sign of spiritual ecstasy and resurrection. Many cultures see the cicada as a spirit animal, guiding through change. Its song in summer is a reminder of persistence and long life.
The cicada has deep symbolism in many cultures. It represents rebirth, renewal, and transformation. Its life cycle shows persistence and the power of change. The song of the cicada is linked to happiness, joy, and the beauty of summer.
In China, the cicada is a sign of immortality, the life-giving principle of the Universe, and fertility. It also connects to the harvest and restoration. Many see it as a spiritual sign, guiding them through personal change.
For the Ancient Greeks and Romans, the cicada was sacred to Apollo and associated with Dionysiac Bacchae and Maenads. It symbolized spiritual realization, resurrection, and spiritual ecstasy. Its appearance was a message of long life and new beginnings.
Seeing a cicada in a dream means positive change and growth. Some believe it signals important messages and transformation.
The cicada is also a part of cicada lore, with its mystery, unique species, and fascinating science. It continues to inspire people with its song and meaning.
Cicada Symbolism
Cicada symbolism represents rebirth, renewal, transformation, and immortality. Many cultures see cicadas as a sign of good luck, happiness, health, and wealth.
The ancient Greeks believed they symbolized resurrection because they emerged from the ground and were transformed. The Chinese also saw them as a sign of renewed life. In Provence, cicadas are a mascot and appear on pottery and fabrics as charms for good luck.
Cicadas inspire art, music, and theater. Many Latin American musicians, including Mercedes Sosa, have sung about them. Their song reflects spiritual realization and ecstasy.
The Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art describes them as a strong symbol in Greek and Chinese traditions.
Cicadas go through a fascinating life cycle, staying hidden for years before they appear. This process makes them a sign of personal change and transformation. Unlike a butterfly or moth, cicadas emerge fully grown, showing strength and survival. Their song is a powerful sound of defiance and energy.
In Provence, cicadas are loved for bringing happiness. They are used in pottery and fabrics as charms. Many people believe they attract good luck and success. Across different cultures, cicadas remain a strong symbol of renewal and spiritual realization.
What Does it Mean if You See a Cicada?
It is a sign to embrace transformation and change. Cicadas live patiently underground and emerge only when they are fully ready. This teaches us the importance of waiting for the right moment without rushing.
The cicada encourages us to take a leap of faith when the time is right. It reminds us to breathe deeply, relax, and trust that our choices will come in their own time. This patience helps us move forward with confidence and clarity.
Cicadas also symbolize creativity and passion. They inspire us to reconnect with our artistic side, whether that means playing music, painting, or making something new. Their song under the sun calls us to create and return to what we love.
Finally, cicadas remind us of the importance of roots and community. They dig deep and live connected with others. Seeing one can be a gentle signal to reconnect with family, friends, or cultural heritage. Small acts of connection bring us back to who we are.
Cultural Associations for Cicadas
Cicadas hold deep cultural meaning across the world, symbolizing rebirth, immortality, music, peace, and transformation.
From Chinese jade cicadas in funerary rites to cicadas in Japanese anime, Native American myths, and French ceramics, they appear in spiritual beliefs, traditional art, and seasonal rituals.
Their buzzing sound is tied to folklore, fertility, protection, and environmental cues, making cicadas a powerful symbol in many cultures.
Japan & Games
When I was little, I sat outside during summer. The trees shook with a buzzing sound. It came from a cicada. My uncle said, “That’s not just a bug. That’s a story.” I never forgot those words. Later, I learned this sound means more in many places.
In Japan, the Japanese culture sees the cicada in anime like Dragon Ball. The villain Cell looks like a Cicada Human. It’s also in the Ultra series, and video games like Pokémon (Nincada, Ninjask, Shedinja), Animal Crossing, and The Legend of Zelda.
Even Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward has the Gnath, strange insectoid creatures.
Cicadas in Japan sing during the summer months. Their song adds to the ambient noise. It becomes part of the soundscape of daily life.
I once played a Nintendo game where the sound of cicadas reminded me of home. Their sound gives off emotional resonance. It connects memories, the past, and moving forward.
Chinese Beliefs
In China, the jade cicada has deep meaning. It is placed in the mouth of the dead. These are part of the funerary rites and burial customs. It shows rebirth, resurrection, and the hope for eternal life.
Some believe it keeps the spirit pure and honorable. I saw a real jade sculpture once in a museum. It felt like soul preservation.
The Chinese also use cicadas in Feng Shui. They are symbols of protection, longevity, and positive energy.
They wear them on toggles, robes, and girdles. These are made by artisans. I bought one as an amulet to keep away gossip and bad luck.
Greek Culture
In ancient times, the Greeks saw the cicada as special. The Greek deity Apollo loved his song. It was part of music, literature, and culture.
They said it brought healing, sunlight, and peace. The Greeks thought the cicada lived a carefree, noble life. Some said its sound was sweet like flutes.
Provence Art
In France, in the region of Provence, cicadas are on every wall. You see them in ceramics, trinkets, and souvenirs.
People there love how they fit into the landscape. I saw the art of cicadas made by hand. It’s part of the local song-making and provenance of the area.
Mesoamerican Rituals
Long ago, the Aztecs and Mayans used cicadas in rituals. They linked them to harvest, fertility, and the life-giving principle. Their sound told when the sun, heat, and humidity would help plant growth. They were tied to the Universe and life itself.
Hopi Stories
The Native American tribes, like the Hopi, have strong stories. In Oraibi, Arizona, they said cicadas helped guide them to the fourth world.
This happened through the Grand Canyon. Their myths include kachinas, spirit beings, and spiritual messengers. Some used flutes, arrows, and flew like eagles. One figure was maahu, the cicada.
Smithsonian Notes
I once met a curator at the Smithsonian. He showed me a nymph shell, called an exuviae. It was dry and brown. “This is from a periodical cicada,” he said. Some, like Brood X, live underground for years.
Then they rise in a process called emergence. They leave their shell and begin mating. This is part of their life cycle. It ends in adult life and offspring. This metamorphosis amazed me.
Social Symbolism
Some say cicadas are omens. They may mean death, change, or even a gift. I once got a wooden cicada as a surprise. It was an invitation to a festival. It helped me reconnect with old friends. I still think of that joy and the offers life gives.
Filipino Myth
In the Philippines, the T’boli people of Lake Sebu, Mindanao, have a myth. The sun and moon once lived together. But the moon left. The longing cry of the cicada tells this story of abandonment.
Their songs, called utom, are played with a bamboo zither. It’s part of their heritage and traditional art.
Folk Music
In Guizhou, the Dimen Dong Folk Chorus copies the cicada’s sound. They turn it into mimicry and recordings. These were shared by the Smithsonian Folkways and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The songs carry artistry, cultural interpretation, and sound symbolism.
Sound & Noise
Even now, cicadas teach us. The Noisy Planet Campaign shows how loud they are. Their vibration is like a lawnmower, dirt bike, or tractor. But behind the noise is spiritual symbolism, mythology, and old ceremonial practices.
Ancient Records
Cicadas were carved in stone carvings from 1500 BCE. They were found on decaying bodies and in tales from the past. Some think they are alien, like the Cicada Killer, a hornet that hunts them. But to me, they are part of nature, part of the cycle, and part of something bigger.
Cicada Spirit Animal
When the Cicada Spirit Animal comes to you, it means it’s time for emergence. You can’t hide in the underground anymore or stay on the sidelines. It’s time to stand up and work on your self-development.
The cicada teaches you to let go of the past and go through metamorphosis. You need to shake off old restrictions and shed old skin to grow and express yourself.
It might feel a bit uncomfortable, but with honesty, you can let go of old habits. When you do, you will re-emerge and blossom.
The Cicada Spirit Animal also helps you improve your communication skills. It’s time to find your true voice and speak with a clear message that follows the rhythm of your heart.
As Thoreau said, “Let him follow the music he hears.” Also, listen to your Higher Self and your inner wisdom. These will be your best allies for a positive transformation and good decision-making.
If your internal clocks are out of whack, follow the tune of the cicada. And pay attention to nature’s cycles to avoid feeling lost.
Cicada Totem Animal
People with the Cicada Totem Animal are easy to spot. They like driving with the car windows down, the radio cranked up, and singing. Sometimes, they hum to the music only they hear.
This is authentic to who they are. If the Cicada is your Birth Totem, you pay close attention to the sounds around you. These sounds give you important, vital cues and omens for decision-making.
You enjoy using your voice, but always try to create harmony in group settings.
In the Summer, you feel most alive, loving the warm days and cozy times in the sun puddles. This season brings thoughts of romance and relationships.
If you have a partner, you might want to share chocolates, flowers, and wine. For those still looking, it’s good to see the future with hopefulness.
When it gets cold, people with the Cicada Totem Animal need more self-care. The lack of warmth can make you feel testy. Using sun lamps and eating foods with Vitamin D can help with any irritability.
This is also a good time to focus on self-enrichment. Try to read, study, or practice cooking—things that help you feel good and keep your inner light bright.
People with the Cicada Totem love being part of a community. They enjoy being in artistic groups where they can share their passion.
Going to events helps them build connections that last a lifetime. Sometimes, they need time for themselves, like “going underground” to rest and recoup before moving forward.
Cicada Power Animal
The Cicada helps me find a balance between being careful and showing vulnerability. Sometimes we build unnecessary walls because of fear or misperceptions.
The Cicada Power Animal teaches me to use self-protection but not to shut out others. It helps me recognize when I don’t need those walls.
The Cicada gives me a new perspective and helps me feel empathy, so I know what to worry about and what not to.
Are Cicadas Good or Bad Omens?
Cicadas are widely seen as good omens and positive signs in many cultures. They are celebrated, essential to ecosystems, and cause no damage to the environment.
When I first heard the loud buzz of cicadas, I was curious. My grandmother called them good omens, and now I know why.
These fascinating, little bugs are often seen as harbingers of growth and change. They make soft, rhythmic musical signs that fill the summer air.
For millennia, people have celebrated cicadas. They are universally recognized in many traditions as powerful and positive creatures. I’ve watched them emerge in big numbers, yet the trees and plants stayed fine.
They are essential to the ecosystems. Unlike some insects, they don’t damage nature. They help enrich the soil and support other life around them.
Many people sometimes confuse them with locusts. That’s because both are seasonal bugs and appear in decade-long cycles.
But the differences are easy to spot. Cicadas are peaceful and bring calm, while locusts are known for moving in large groups and eating plants.
Some may flip their names, but the facts are clear. Cicadas play a helpful role in nature and bring a sense of renewal.
Cicada Dreams
In dreams, the Cicada brings challenges that need creativity and smart thinking. If you were sick, a Cicada dream shows a remarkable turn for the better, making you a new you.
Hearing singing Cicadas means you will get recognition for your work. Seeing a Cicada emerging from the earth means you are waking up and are ready for what’s next.
A Cicada moving toward you means good news is coming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cicada symbolize in Native American culture?
The Cicada is sacred to Native American tribes. Like the Oraibi, and symbolizes resurrection and new life.
What do Cicadas mean in dreams?
In dreams, Cicadas bring challenges, growth, and recognition. They can also show recovery after illness and new beginnings.
What is the meaning of Cicadas in Far Eastern culture?
In Far Eastern culture, Cicadas symbolize rebirth, immortality, and long life. They are used in burial customs to ensure a peaceful afterlife and protect against gossip.
Conclusion
The Cicada is a powerful symbol in many cultures. It teaches lessons about rebirth, immortality, and spiritual growth. The Cicada’s loud voice reminds us to speak our truth and embrace change.
Whether in dreams or real life, Cicadas help us face challenges with creativity. Their long life cycle shows the value of patience and waiting for the right time.
In the Far East, Cicadas are connected to a peaceful afterlife and protection. Overall, the Cicada inspires us to grow, transform, and move forward with confidence.
Disclaimer
At SpiritualGleam, we explore the deep spiritual and symbolic meanings of life’s many facets. Our insights are based on a blend of ancient wisdom and personal interpretations. Please note that our content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional advice.
