Cicada: Spiritual Meaning, Dream Meaning, Symbolism & More

Last Updated on October 27, 2023

Get ready to explore the mysterious world of the cicada, which is full of totemic wisdom, symbolism, and profound revelations. 

Resilient insects with remarkable life cycles and distinctive songs, these insects have a special place in spiritual symbolism, representing the power of voice, rebirth, and transformation.

We’ll go deeply into the symbolism of cicadas in this exploration, providing insights that extend beyond their amazing appearances and eerie choruses. 

We’ll show you how cicadas can act as totem animals, including the obstacles they can help you overcome, the acts they motivate, and the life-changing solutions they provide to people who welcome them. 

Prepare to connect with the wisdom’s rhythms and discover the ageless mystery of the cicada.

What does the Cicadas’ Symbolic Meaning as Totem animals and Spirits entail?

We are profoundly affected by the significance and symbolism of the cicada as a totem animal and spirit. 

These animals impart important life lessons, such as adaptability, endurance, patience, and clear communication. 

Because they announce the arrival of summer, cicadas always make me think about how beautiful nature is and how connected we are to it.

I’m inspired to embrace the present and live life to the fullest by their brief but colorful adult life. 

Cicadas encourage me to face obstacles head-on because they personify the idea that change and personal development are necessary aspects of life. 

To put it simply, they are invaluable mentors on my path to wisdom and self-discovery.

The Meaning and Symbolic Importance of Cicadas

The Cicada can mean a number of things depending on if you are looking at it from a power, spirit, or totem animal. Similarly, their meanings in dreams and tattoos will differ greatly in some respects.

Generally, however, the Cicada is thought to be symbolic of rebirth, renewal, resurrection, transformation, and even fertility.

Types of Cicada Symbolism: 

• Transformation: Cicadas’ remarkable life cycle represents personal growth and change.
• Patience: Their years spent underground before emerging teach the value of patience and waiting for the right moment.
• Resilience: Cicadas face numerous challenges during their life cycle, demonstrating the ability to overcome adversity.
• Communication: Their buzzing and chirping symbolize effective self-expression and the importance of clear communication.
• Connection to Nature: Cicadas’ emergence heralds the arrival of summer, reminding us of our connection to the natural world.
• Spiritual Awakening: Cicadas are associated with spiritual enlightenment and awakening in certain cultures, reflecting our own pursuit of knowledge and self-awareness.

Your Spirit Animal Could Be a Cicada: Discover Its Symbolism

Traits	Description
Embrace the world	Avoid hiding and take action
Importance of patience	Fixing sleep patterns and scheduling decisions
Shedding hindrances	Embrace renewal and self-expression
Enhance communication	Improve communication skills and inner wisdom

Your spirit animal is the cicadas, which are a call to come out of their shells and embrace the world. 

Don’t run away or stand by while others succeed in their endeavors. Take initiative to develop personally and move forward in life.

The timing of the cicadas’ rise from the earth is a metaphor for how important patience and wise choices are in daily life. 

To make sure you’re making the best decisions possible, take care of your biorhythms and internal clock. Fixing sleep patterns is necessary for better decision-making.

Additionally, just as the cicadas shed their old skin in order to grow, the Cicada Spirit Animal exhorts you to let go of anything that is holding you back. 

Although this process could be uncomfortable, it is necessary for self-expression and personal development.

Enhancing your communication skills, both with others and your Higher Self, is crucial. Discover your unique voice and use it effectively to tap into inner wisdom, empowering you in all aspects of life.

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Utilizing the Cicada as Your Totem Animal and Appreciating Its Meaning

Characteristics	Description
Love to socialize	Enjoy being part of the community
Enjoy nature	Respect the seasons and the sounds of nature
Happiest in summer	Thrive in warm weather
Dislike winter	Need self-care during colder months
Stand out from the crowd	Unique and expressive

If the Cicada is your Totem Animal, you are probably a person who stands out from the crowd. You live life to the fullest and enjoy every breeze and sound you experience.

Sometimes, however, you like to take a step back and take a moment to have some time for yourself. You can fluctuate between singing your favorite songs at peak volume to lightly humming it to yourself.

Chances are, you love the sounds that nature has to offer. When you are out in nature, which is often, you always have one ear out to listen for the birds or sounds of running water.

The environment you find yourself in might give you clues and signs to help you make decisions, and you look out for them. Summer is your favorite, and the warmth it brings gives you joy like nothing else.

In the winter, however, life seems to get a little darker for those born with the Cicada Totem Animal. The cold does not suit you, and it never has, so you need to take proper care of yourself during this time.

Using things like sun lamps and getting your fill of cozy foods with plenty of vitamin D will be good for you. You might also like to try hobbies that are known to feed the spirit, like cooking or reading.

You need to try to stay happy until the sun shines again, but you also need to make the most of the colder months.

As someone born with the Cicada Totem Animal, you probably like to be around people and like to be a part of the community.

You enjoy expressing yourself in all kinds of art forms and like to connect with others. The friends you make are not fair weather, but will last a lifetime and will be with you until the end.

Those around you will learn that even though you are outgoing, you also need your time to yourself and the opportunity to reflect.

To summarize, if the Cicada is your Totem Animal, you:

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Unleashing the Cicada’s Power: An Animal Guide to Symbolism and Fortitude

You may need to reach out to Cicada Power Animal if you are beginning to feel like you are not empathetic enough towards both yourself and others. You may need help letting people into your life and allowing them to get past your hardened outer shell.

A Cicada Power Animal will help you to recognize when you should and should not be afraid of something, and when to let people in.

Cicada Power Animal can help you find your balance when it comes to being cautious or protecting yourself. Often, life is a matter of perspective.

Once you are able to empathize with people and understand their motives, you can better understand your own beliefs and thoughts. This will help you connect with people and effectively know which people you should or should not allow in your inner circle.

To summarize, you may call upon the Cicada Power Animal if you need help:

Religion and Culture’s Application of Cicadas: Symbolism and Significance

The Cicada can be seen being mentioned in many cultures around the world. Although not many religions speak about the Cicada directly as they do with other creatures, they are mentioned in myths and legends all around the world.

In places like North America and Asia, Cicadas are mentioned numerous times by numerous people and cultures. These creatures were important to many Native American tribes and cultures, and also several cultures and sub-cultures in China and Japan.

A Symbolic Study of the Cicada in Mythology and Folklore

Culture	Cicada Symbolism
Native American	Resurrection and exploration in new worlds
Japan	Symbol of summer, short-lived but vital
China	Harvest, fertility, and immortality
Celtic	A metaphor for life’s cyclical nature

Cicadas are mentioned in many mythologies and folklore around the world, but they all point to the same thing – resurrection and rebirth.

As people noticed the cycles of the Cicada, they quickly began to associate them with the idea of being reborn and rising again. As a result, no matter where you look, the Cicada represents the same thing in mythology.

Significance of Cicadas in Native American Traditions

In many Native American cultures, like the Navajo, the Cicada is an influential symbol. The creation story of the Navajo, the Cicada, played an active role in exploring new worlds. In the Oraibi culture (in Arizona, the Cicada is a symbol of resurrection.

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The Symbolism of Cicadas in Far Eastern Cultures

Cicadas are sometimes used in burial customs in some Asian countries. Jade figurines of Cicadas are made and placed with the deceased – this is meant to ensure that the person who has passed will have a peaceful afterlife.

Doing this also means that the spirit of the person will be able to emerge, just like the Cicada does when they want to answer a message from loved ones or help them.

In places like Japan, the Cicada is a symbol of summer. These insects only live for a short time – about a month – but summer would not be summer without them.

Moreover, Cicadas are mentioned in numerous Japanese tales and poems, including ‘The Tale of Genji’, one of Murasaki Shikibu’s literature works.

In China, the Cicada is symbolic of harvest, fertility, and immortality. They are seen as the life-saving principle within the universe and are popular toggle designs in outfits. These artistic depictions of the Cicada are frequently made from jade, a beautiful green stone.

The Cicada is used in Feng Shui for longevity and to protect people against gossip.

The Cicada in Celtic Mythology: A Symbolic Journey

Although there is no specific mention of cicadas in Celtic mythology, the idea of metamorphosis and rebirth is consistent with Celtic beliefs. 

Cicadas may represent life’s cyclical nature, as the Celts held a great regard for the natural world and the passage of the seasons. 

Similar to how cicadas change profoundly from nymphs to adults, the Celts believed that life was a series of cycles that ended in death and then began again. 

Even though they weren’t specifically mentioned in Celtic mythology, cicadas could be interpreted as a metaphor for this never-ending renewal.

The Cicada’s Role in Japanese Culture and Symbolism

Cicadas are very important to Japanese culture, especially in the sweltering summer months. 

A classic summertime sound, the buzzing of cicadas represents the life and vigor of the season. 

In Japanese, the word “semi” (cicadas) has positive meanings; it symbolizes life’s transient nature, summer’s passion, and the need to savor each moment to the fullest. 

Cicadas have a deep cultural significance in Japan, which emphasizes their relationship to the passing of time and the understanding of life’s impermanence.

The Cicada’s Significance in Feng Shui: Symbolism and Influence

Cicadas are very important to Japanese culture, especially in the sweltering summer months. 

A classic summertime sound, the buzzing of cicadas represents the life and vigor of the season. 

In Japanese, the word “semi” (cicadas) has positive meanings; it symbolizes life’s transient nature, summer’s passion, and the need to savor each moment to the fullest. 

Cicadas have a deep cultural significance in Japan, which emphasizes their relationship to the passing of time and the understanding of life’s impermanence.

The Biblical Significance of Cicadas

The Bible mentions a variety of insects, including locusts, frequently in relation to plagues, destruction, or divine judgments, even though it makes no mention of cicadas specifically. 

In these cases, insects may represent divine purification or chastisement. 

But biblical texts don’t specifically mention cicadas, and biblical stories don’t heavily emphasize their symbolism.

Interpreting the Meaning of Seeing a Cicada

Observing a cicada seems like a singular experience with an entity that embodies deep symbolic meaning. 

From nymphs to adults, cicadas go through an amazing metamorphosis; they frequently spend years underground before coming to the surface. 

This life cycle is a potent representation of metamorphosis and rebirth.

Seeing a cicada can serve as a helpful reminder that change is an essential and unavoidable aspect of life. 

We are all capable of personal growth and renewal, just as cicadas reveal their new selves by shedding their old exoskeletons.

In addition, cicadas typically only live a few weeks during their adult lives. 

This short life highlights how important it is to live in the present and make the most of our time. 

A cicada’s song reminds us to live in the present, enjoy its beauty, and remember that experiences in life are fleeting yet significant, just like the cicada itself.

What Does It Mean to Hear a Cicada and What Does That Mean?

It’s a magical experience to hear the characteristic buzzing or chirping of cicadas, especially in the warm summer months. 

In this sense, the arrival of summer’s vitality and energy is symbolized by the sound of cicadas. 

It serves as a mellow reminder of the cycles of the seasons and the life force that permeates all of creation.

The constant, frequently boisterous singing of cicadas inspires us to become attuned to the cycles of existence. 

It’s an invitation to engage with the world around us, to savor the warmth and brightness of the season, and to welcome the energy that summer brings. 

Cicada music encourages us to cherish life and all of its ephemeral moments while strengthening our bond with the natural world and the cycles that control it.

Encountering a Dead Cicada: Meanings and Contextualizations

Encountering a dead cicada can carry several symbolic meanings:

• Transition: As with discovering a shed cicada exoskeleton, a dead cicada can represent life’s changes and transitions. It might imply that you or someone close to you is going through a big transition or ending a previous stage.
• Impermanence: Due to their brief adult lifespans, cicada species can act as a symbol of life’s transience. Observing a dead cicada can provoke thought about how fleeting life is and how crucial it is to make the most of it.
• Completion: In certain cultures, a cycle is considered to be complete when a cicada’s life cycle ends. This could be a sign that a certain stage or endeavor in your life is drawing to an end and that it’s time to welcome fresh starts.

Interpreting Cicadas in Dreams: The Meaning

Dream Scenarios	Interpretation
Singing Cicadas	Good news or positivity from loved ones
Cicadas emerging from the ground	End of struggles, peace, and prosperity
Dead Cicadas	Upcoming challenges or significant changes
Many Cicadas	Hoping for positive developments or good news
Killing Cicadas	Potential conflicts or disagreements with friends
Cicadas flying everywhere	Success in career or endeavours
Chirping or singing Cicadas	Warning of bad news or challenges
Cicadas sound irritated	Good health or financial stability

The meaning of Cicada’s dreams varies based on the situation. They often represent good things, but they can also represent difficulties or cautions. 

Cicadas in dreams may portend impending difficulties that will need discernment and assistance to overcome. It might also be a sign that you should choose your own path rather than imitating others.

Singing Cicadas in dreams usually portends good news, usually from close ones. Cicadas signify the end of a time of struggle and the beginning of a time of peace and prosperity as they emerge from the ground.

Cicada dreams may occasionally provide comfort regarding your well-being or financial security. 

They might also serve as a reminder to stay true to who you are and avoid losing your identity through excessive conformity.

There are a few other meanings for Cicada dreams, which will be summarized below:

• Catching Cicadas in Your Dreams: You may be experiencing a health issue, and this issue is likely to get worse shortly.
• Dreaming of dead Cicadas: If you dream about dead or dying Cicadas, you are probably going to be experiencing many difficulties and problems in your life, possibly in the near future.
• Dreaming about many Cicadas: Dreaming about a lot of Cicadas could mean that you will soon be getting some good news.
• Killing Cicadas in your dream: If you kill one or more Cicadas in your dream, this is a warning that you will soon find yourself fighting or arguing with your friends about something.
• Cicadas flying everywhere: If the Cicadas are flying all around you in your dream, you are getting a message that you will have success in your career.
• Chirping or singing Cicadas: Hearing the sound of singing Cicadas means that bad news is coming.
• The Cicadas sound irritated: Dreaming about annoyed or irritated=sounding Cicadas is a sign that you are either in good health already or that you will soon be in good health.

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The Cicada: Significance in Astrology, Spiritual Contexts, and Tattoos

Tattoo Meanings	Description
Timing and perfect moments	Life events unfold at the right time
Rebirth and transformation	Letting go of the past to advance personally
Discarding old habits	Transition from childhood to adulthood
Past, present, and future	Moving forward and leaving the past behind
Sexuality and seduction	Symbol of romantic pursuit
Connection to the sun	Thriving in the warmth and carefully crafting their words

Cicadas can have different meanings depending on where they are being analyzed. Their tattoo meanings might differ from spiritual and Zodiac symbolism.

At times, you may want to learn to appreciate that sometimes things are as simple as they seem, and you do not have to search for meaning in everything you see. Cicadas, beautiful and strange as they are, can sometimes be appreciated simply for what they are.

However, if you are looking to find meaning in tattoos and astrology, then there are plenty of options for that, too.

Cicada Tattoos: Meaning and Inspiration

Cicadas are used as a tattoo symbol by those who represent timing and ideal moments in life. Cicadas serve as a timely reminder that things happen in life exactly when they should. 

A Cicada tattoo represents how crucial it is to make wise choices along the way. It is not an answer, but it is a warning to remain vigilant.

Cicadas are also a symbol of transformation and rebirth. We shed our old selves to become better, just like them. 

To become the person we want to be, we must leave our past behind, just as a cicada leaves its intact shell behind.

This change entails letting go of ingrained behaviors and tendencies. Similar to our early years, cicadas spend the majority of their lives in a secure area before going out to change who they are.

Cicadas also stand for the past, present, and future. Their subterranean existence represents the past, and their emergence represents the present and future. 

A cicada tattoo may represent progress, letting go of the past, and embracing the future.

It’s interesting that because of their mating songs, cicadas are connected to seduction and sexuality. 

They are a representation of romantic pursuit because of their fierce attempts to woo partners. A Cicada tattoo might be chosen by some as a symbol of their dedication to finding a mate.

Cicadas also represent the sun and our relationship to it. They need the heat to survive, just as  we need the sun for nourishment and happiness. 

A Cicada tattoo can remind us to express ourselves while being respectful of others, as words hold meaning and power.

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A Review of Cicada’s Significance in Astrology

While there is no official Cicada Zodiac sign in any known astrology, there is a ‘Southern Version’ of the Zodiac.

In the Southern Version of the Zodiac, you might consider all the regular Zodiac signs such as Pisces, Virgo, Libra, etc., and compare them to Southern creatures. For example, the Zodiac sign Taurus is compared to a Bullfrog, Virgo is an Armadillo, and Aries is the Cicada.

The Cicada version of the Aries Zodiac is described as someone who is both always ready to fight and always screaming.

Take from that what you will, but it is entertaining nonetheless.

The Importance of Cicadas Spiritually

The Cicada’s spiritual meaning is often linked with renewal, rebirth, personal change, and transformation. These insects go through changes in their life, much like butterflies and some other insects do and reappear as their final form.

This kind of insect and the change it goes through has always been symbolic of rebirth and renewal, as the insect emerges as a new creature. This renewal can be linked to the changes that people go through in life and the experiences that change them.

The Cicada in Mythology and Folklore

Cicadas are mentioned in many mythologies and folklore around the world, but they all point to the same thing – resurrection and rebirth.

As people noticed the cycles of the Cicada, they quickly began to associate them with the idea of being reborn and rising again. As a result, no matter where you look, the Cicada represents the same thing in mythology.

Revealing Knowledge via Cicada Sayings

Saying or Expression	Meaning of Interpretation
“Singing like a cicada”	Constant talking or singing
“Cicada’s shed skin”	Leaving behind the past or burdens
“Cicada’s chorus”	Symbol of harmony and collective action

Several sayings and statements have been influenced by cicadas across diverse cultural contexts, frequently alluded to by their distinctive life cycle and auditory signals. 

Here are some sayings associated with cicadas:

• “Singing like a cicada”: This saying reflects the loud and continuous song of cicadas during the summer. It can be used to describe someone who talks or sings incessantly.
• “Cicada’s shed skin”: Cicadas moult as they grow, leaving behind their old exoskeletons. This phrase can symbolize leaving behind the past or unnecessary burdens.
• “Cicada’s chorus”: The synchronized chorus of cicadas can symbolize harmony, unity, and collective action in some cultures.

The Divine Connection: Mythological Cicada Gods and Goddesses

Although they aren’t frequently connected to any particular deity, cicadas are symbolic in many different mythologies and religious doctrines. For instance, cicadas were connected to Daoist beliefs in ancient China, where they were seen as emblems of rebirth and immortality.

Cicadas have been connected to gods that represent development, transformation, and change in various cultures. 

These links highlight the cicada’s capacity to shed its previous exoskeleton and reappear as a completely new, altered creature.

Looking at Symbolic Insights, Trivia, and Cicada Facts

• Long Life Underground: As nymphs, cicadas live underground for the majority of their lives and come out as adults. This is similar to the concepts of untapped potential and the value of self-reflection before exposing one’s actual self.
• Transformation: Cicadas undergo a remarkable transformation, shedding their old exoskeletons to emerge as adults with new life. This can symbolize personal growth, renewal, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
• Cicada Songs: To entice females, male cicadas make their characteristic buzzing or chirping noises. Their music can stand for self-expression, communication, and the significance of being noticed.
• Synchronized Emergence: Some cicada species emerge in massive numbers at once. This synchronous behaviour can symbolize collective action, unity, and the power of coming together for a common purpose.
• Short Adult Life: Adult cicadas have relatively short lives, often living for only a few weeks. This highlights the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the moment.

Organizations Dedicated to Cicada Protection:

Certain organizations work to protect the biodiversity of insects and their habitats, even though cicadas are not usually the focus of conservation efforts like endangered species are. 

The following are a few organizations that support cicada protection indirectly:

• The Xerces Society: This organization is dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates, including insects. Their work focuses on habitat restoration and protection, which benefits cicadas and other pollinators.
• Local Conservation Groups: Many local conservation organizations work to protect natural habitats, which indirectly support cicada populations.
• Educational Institutions: Universities and research institutions often conduct studies on insects, including cicadas, to better understand their behaviour, distribution, and ecological importance.

Effective Ways to Apply Cicada Symbolism in Everyday Life:

• Embracing Change: Cicadas symbolize transformation and growth. In daily life, we can apply this symbolism by embracing change, being open to personal growth, and seeing challenges as opportunities for transformation.
• Seizing the Moment: Cicadas have short adult lives, emphasizing the importance of living in the present. We can apply this by appreciating each moment, pursuing our goals, and making the most of our time.
• Unity and Communication: The synchronized choruses of cicadas emphasize the strength of cooperation and group effort. We can apply this symbolism to our everyday lives by encouraging cooperation, clear communication, and teamwork in all that we do.
• Resilience: Cicadas endure harsh conditions and moulting processes. We can use their symbolism to develop resilience, face challenges with grace, and emerge from difficulties stronger and wiser.
• Renewal: Just as cicadas shed their old exoskeletons, we can let go of old habits, beliefs, or situations that no longer serve us. Embracing renewal and personal transformation can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Recognizing the lessons offered by cicada symbolism and applying them to one’s development, interpersonal interactions, and decision-making are necessary for incorporating it into daily life. 

Cicadas can encourage us to live more intentionally and consciously by acting as a constant reminder of the wisdom and beauty found in the natural world.

An Overview Of The Cicada’s Symbolism and Meanings

The most common Cicada symbolism include:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Does the Cicada Symbolize in Different Cultures?

The symbolism of cicadas varies among cultures. For some, they stand for immortality and rebirth; for others, they represent change and metamorphosis. Gaining a deeper understanding of cicada symbolism can be achieved by comprehending these cultural differences.

How Can I Incorporate Cicada Symbolism into My Life?

By considering their attributes—such as transformation, unity, and resilience—you can apply cicada symbolism. Use these lessons for your daily struggles, relationships, and personal development.

Are Cicadas a Sign of Good Luck or Bad Luck?

In general, cicadas symbolize growth and transformation and are associated with positivity. Interpretations, however, can differ. They are regarded as messengers of change in certain cultures, which, depending on the situation, may be viewed as positive or negative.

What Does It Mean to Hear a Cicada’s Song?

The sound of cicadas singing can represent self-expression, communication, and the significance of establishing one’s presence. It might also act as a prompt to pay close attention to what your inner voice is saying.

Are Cicadas Associated with Specific Deities or Spiritual Beings?

Although cicadas aren’t usually connected to any particular deity, in some cultures they might be connected to entities that represent change, growth, and transformation. You can gain a deeper comprehension of cicada symbolism by investigating these connections.

What Can I Learn from the Cicada’s Life Cycle?

The life cycle of the cicada imparts lessons on perseverance, patience, and the value of letting go of the past in order to welcome the present. It invites you to consider your development and evolution.

Are Cicadas Protected or Endangered Species?

Although they are not usually regarded as endangered species, cicadas may be impacted by environmental changes and habitat loss. Cicadas gain indirectly from conservation efforts to preserve insect biodiversity.

How Can I Connect with Cicada Symbolism in Nature?

Spend time outside, take in their songs, and study their life cycle to become acquainted with the symbolism of cicadas in the natural world. Think about the ways in which their traits and behaviors align with your own life path.

What Are Some Artistic Representations of Cicadas?

Cicadas have been portrayed in literature, paintings, and sculptures, among other artistic mediums. Examining these creative interpretations can provide more context for understanding their symbolism.

Can Cicada Symbolism Help with Personal Growth?

It’s true that cicada symbolism can inspire personal development. You can face the obstacles of life and welcome constructive change by putting the lessons of transformation, unity, and resilience into practice.

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