Cicada Symbolism: 5 Spiritual Messages and Their Meaning
Cicada is the common name for an insect group that contains over 3,000 different species,190 of which live in North America, when you include both species and subspecies.
They are found worldwide in tropical and temperate climates, in grasslands, deserts and forests.
There are 2 main types of cicadas - annual and periodical.
Annual cicadas have a lifecycle of 2-5 years. Periodical cicadas have a lifecycle of 13-17 years, one of the longest lifespans of any insect.
The periodical cicadas have synchronized lifecycles, where they emerge from underground in broods around the same time to mate.
After mating, the female makes slits in tree branches and lays eggs there.
The eggs hatch 6-7 weeks later, the nymphs fall and go into the ground, beginning the cycle again.
Both types of cicada spend most of their life underground as nymphs, living off of the sap from tree roots.
While they’re above ground as adults, the male cicadas are the ones who sing and they do so by vibrating a membrane on the sides of their bodies.
But this time period is often short lived - periodical cicadas live only 3-4 weeks in their adult form above ground; annual cicadas live around 2-3 months.
The cicadas can sing so loud that you really can’t hear anything else aside from their song because their song can register to 90+ decibels.
For this reason, you usually know when the cicadas are above ground and active, because there’s no way to miss their sound.
But how do you tell the difference between periodical and annual cicadas?
The easiest way to know which cicada you have around is when you hear their song. The periodical cicadas emerge from April to early June.
From late June until late summer, you are likely listening to the annual cicadas.
Now that we’ve covered some interesting cicada facts, let’s talk about their symbolic meaning.
5 Spiritual Messages of the Cicada
1 - Timing Your Efforts Can Pay Off
Cicadas decide when it’s time to emerge from the ground based on the ambient conditions. They use soil temperature to decide the perfect time to come above ground.
Temperature also determines their flight and song. They can’t sing unless the temperature is warm enough so when the sun goes behind clouds, their song may be softer.
Like the cicada, you may also want to time your efforts to match your external environment.
Symbolically, their message may be to go with the flow of your outer conditions. Save your high effort actions for when the conditions are right.
2 - Tap Into The Power of Group Synchronization
Cicadas, especially the periodic species, all come above ground around the same time to mate and reproduce. Within a short 3-4 week period, they have achieved their goals as an adult insect.
Their spiritual message can indicate that perhaps aligning with others for synchronized actions can help you achieve your goals.
For example, perhaps you’re looking for something that’s sold in great quantities at a certain time of year. Wait until that time of year to buy and you’ll be able to achieve that item more quickly and with greater options.
Or, perhaps you are a seller of an item that is only in demand during a certain season. Waiting until demand is highest to list that item will likely get it sold more quickly and in greater abundance.
3 - A Time of New Beginnings, Personal Change and Transformation
Cicadas spend the majority of their lives as nymphs underground eating sap from tree roots. They then emerge from the ground as adults with wings and a song.
When they shed their exoskeleton, it can represent the shedding of an old life - being born again anew.
Symbolically speaking, their presence can represent a period of rebirth, renewal and spiritual awakening.
Cicadas appearing in your life can signal that the time is right for a new beginning and that it’s okay for you to shed the past so you can be reborn into a new path.
4 - Prosperity and Good Luck Are On Your Side
The Roman Goddess of Victory, Victoria, is sometimes depicted with cicadas in her motif, signaling success and winning outcomes await you.
In the French region of Provence, cicadas are also considered good luck charms, and they’re displayed in fabrics and pottery.
In Feng Shui, the cicada’s buzzing is thought to bring positive energy into your home.
Wearing cicada jewelry is believed to attract abundance, making it popular in Chinese jewelry, especially during weddings and festivals.
If you’re looking for positive change, abundance, luck, prosperity and success, wearing cicada jewelry or placing cicada symbols in areas of your life where you’d like to have these outcomes may be helpful.
5 - Speak Up for Recognition
Cicadas are associated with professions that require speaking up and can be helpful allies for performers, politicians and students. They can be useful if you’re seeking any kind of fame or attention for your efforts.
When a cicada comes into your life, they can indicate bold opportunities and breakthroughs will come when you’re heard by others through courageously speaking up.
All in all, cicadas are spiritually linked to symbols of new beginnings, rebirth, renewal and transformation.
They can also indicate a time for listening to the outer conditions before acting, tapping into group synchronicity and speaking up for yourself to bring in opportunities.
Most of all, they symbolize luck, prosperity and success are on your side.
So if one lands on your windowsill or enters into your thoughts when contemplating a new opportunity, take a moment to breathe in its positive energy and blessings.
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