Praying Mantis - What does it Mean?

The mantis comes to us when we need peace, quiet and calm in our lives. Usually the mantis makes an appearance when we've flooded our lives with so much business, activity, or chaos that we can no longer hear the still small voice within us because of the external din we've created.

After observing this creature for any length of time you can see why the symbolism of the praying mantis deals with stillness and patience. The mantis takes her time, and lives her life at her own silent pace.

These traits have lead the mantis to be a symbol of meditation and contemplation. In fact, in China, the mantis has long been honored for her mindful movements.

The mantis never makes a move unless she is 100% positive it is the right thing for her to do. This is a message to us to contemplate and be sure our minds and souls all agree together about the choices we are making in our lives.





Overwhelmingly in most cultures the mantis is a symbol of stillness. As such, she is an ambassador from the animal kingdom giving testimony to the benefits of meditation, and calming our minds.

An appearance from the mantis is a message to be still, go within, meditate, get quite and reach a place of calm. It may also a sign for you to be more mindful of the choices you are making and confirm that these choices are congruent

Just because you "read something somewhere", you think it's true?


You never considered it just happens to look like it's really praying from a human perspective and that's the only reason it was given the name?



Of course not.

Everything has to have some strange mystery to it, right?

You are really showing how much you are in need of getting a real life.


(The same can be said about many other regulars who seem to live here too.)


Obviously, the other naive people here will probably feed on your ignorance.

Z

It means you have bugs in your garden?

. .

That was beautiful!


:heartss34:


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Words of wisdom..nicely done, thanks.

I didn't read the mantis..I saw it and thought I would share with others..what is your problem exactly with me? It bothers you that I am sharing something I saw in the backyard? I asked for your experience or thoughts..not to be ass..which is what you are being and it is vary unwarranted.

Actually, my first thought was that it is 111 degrees outside and maybe it wanted inside. Again though, having not seen one for years, I wanted to know if anyone else had seen one recently.

There are some bugs sure, but mostly a couple of hummingbirds which are really cool to watch and of course some bees..ton of ants which is why I clean the pool everyday.

Last Edited by Winningjob on 07/17/2009 10:18 PM

The Praying Mantis is also an alien type and they look identical to their Earth counterparts but are much bigger in size ofcourse... Their alien counterparts are almost ALL very loving... very loving...

Peace

Awesome insects!

We always treat praying mantis with respect.

We may pick them up and hold them, but they are always released, unharmed.

This one was snacking on a honey bee. Notice the little gnats, like jackals, edging in for a morsel.

:praying ma:

Nice picture czygyny!

I had one today in my carriage house. He was cruising arround all afternoon

They really are something to watch.

it means you have apheids

Thanks, winningjob! It was a gruesome sight to watch him eat his prey, but fascinating at the same time.

The opportunist little 'jackal' gnats were very interesting.

Geez, you make it sound like I need to run to the doctor..yikes sounds like a disease! Are apheids and aphids the same thing..I see they are creatures that are planet eating insects?

There was movie years ago where the guy had a dream about his mate and she became a praying mantis and they made love and she was going to eat him or something...scary.

[link to www.youtube.com]

As a metaphor the "praying" mantis is a dichotomy -- a play on words. A bug that prays would be a comfort to us. But it is really a preying bug.

That you haven't seen one in years is a warning: Something is coming your way that will appear to be a blessing at first, but is really of danger to you. Be very careful.

+1

I haven't seen one in years btw

I don't think that one was sick, it looks like a gravid female, one that is ready to lay her egg case. They are vulnerable at that time.

See how swollen her abdomen is? The one in my image is a male, they have a slender abdomen.

Be careful OP!

It is a sign you will find a female who will seduce you, mate you and then devour you in a post coital hunger phase.

Yeah, I think you are right. I am just amazed at how it is not afraid of the human and seems to be curious about the camera.

hardboiledheretic

Actually, I think it is the first one I have seen since I moved to the desert. I same them in other places, but in Las Vegas, I am more likely to see a gecko and spiders.

There was one on my car hood yesterday morning.Always thought they looked like little aliens.

what a lovely, beautiful insect.. NOT!

My ex.
You just described my ex **shivering in remembrance**...

Cool insects.
Get 'em here all the time (mucho hummingbirds, too)

Your insight is rather profound.

Initially, I didn't intend to respond to this thread. However, day before yesterday, a small praying mantis was on the handrail to the back deck. I was just about to let the dog out and noticed the mantis. I had the same question that Winningjob posed in this thread. Then I check online and found the same response that another poster posted. Then when I just returned to this thread and read your response, a strange feeling came over me. Maybe it was the word "warning" stated in your post.

Would you care to elaborate some more?

I'd appreciate it.

Thanks....

Peace