Bee Meaning and Symbolism

Having a Bee as Your Spirit Animal (Totem Animal)

If your totem animal is a bee, it strongly suggests you have a diligent and tireless nature.

The unmistakable selflessness reflected in your character is akin to that of the sacrificial bee who foregoes itself while working towards a common goal.

Teamwork, fellowship, and peaceful coexistence come to you naturally.

As the bee that found a way to fly despite not being originally meant to use its wings, you also find a way to spread your wings and reach your high aspirations with your determination and adaptable nature.

You are vehemently protective and defensive of people you hold dear, as well as your material and financial possessions.

Your unfaltering tenacity and a high threshold for pain enable you to stand tall at the face of all adversities.

Your optimistic nature lets you see a silver lining in everything, which motivates others around you as well.

Productivity, efficiency, and laboriousness naturally ooze from your very being. However, since balance is yet another characteristic trait of the bee totem, you too take joy in what you do and consequently indulge in reaping its sweet rewards.

Bumblebee as your spirit animal symbolizes focus, patience, and perseverance as it is considered to bring the message of life’s secrets, showing you how to stick to your resolve and achieve something.

What Does It Mean To See a Bee

Seeing a Honeybee in and Around Your House

If a bee graces your home, it symbolizes that you can soon expect a visitor, possibly a stranger. It is also regarded as a sign of good fortune, but only if it is allowed to stay or leave freely. On the other hand, many are of the conviction that a bee entering your home is a message to focus on nurturing and communicating with your family or community. It could also be a message that it is about to rain.

A swarm of bees resting on the roof of your house foretells that the house is about to burn down.

Bees swarming over bushes or trees all of a sudden implies the imminent death of a person near you, while the sighting of lethargic bees points towards an approaching disaster.

If a Bee Lands on You or Stings You

When a bee rests on your head, it is believed that you shall soon achieve eminence in life.

If a bee lands on your hand, it may be a prophecy that you are about to receive money.

It was once believed that any impious or unchaste soul is deliberately stung by a bee. However, if you manage to wade through an entire swarm of bees totally unscathed, it bears testimony to your innocence.

What does it Mean to Dream about Bees

Taking into consideration your current life situation, culture, superstitious stance, religion, astrological beliefs, and your own perspective, the significance of a bee dream may vary greatly. Generally, seeing a honeybee in your dream symbolizes intensification of your industrious nature, or your busy work schedule – justifying the phrase ‘busy as a bee’. On the other hand, it may also reflect your concerns regarding your communication skills, and your social life. Specific dreams may have a more specific meaning as well.

A queen bee	Symbolizes the presence of an authoritative woman in your waking life (or your emergence as such a lady, if you are a woman)
Getting stung by a bee	You are going through certain troubles in some aspect of your life, and it’s bothering you at a subconscious level; It may also be a reminder of  suppressed guilt at something you did
A bee stinging your hand	You have been hurt by someone’s criticism while trying to reach out to them
A bee land on you	Signifies that you have found your soul mate, your source of eternal love and commitment
Getting chased or attacked by bees	You are perturbed by some disturbing memories or the possibility of a past event surfacing and jeopardizing your present
Trying to catch a bee	Stands for your unfaltering focus and perseverance to achieve your goals
Bees pollinating flowers	Your patience and persistence are about to bring in positive results in the near future in the form of a promotion or marriage
A single drone	Might signify a subordinate or a diligent underdog, or someone in your waking life who ‘drones’ or speaks in a monotonous manner
A single bumblebee	you are working hard in your professional life, and will soon be proud of what you achieve
Killing a bee	Stands for you triumphing over your enemies
A dead bee	Financially trying times are ahead
A beehive	Symbolizes order, discipline, teamwork, cooperation, and expectation of a reward after the completion of some group endeavors
A beehive swarming with bees	Showcases your desire for orderliness at home
A beehive full of honey	Signifies your financially stable condition, or hints that you will soon acquire a considerable fortune
An empty beehive	Stands for financial instability, loss of job or property

Symbolic Meaning of Bees in Different Cultures and Religions

Christianity

Bees are considered to symbolize virginity, as their asexual mode of reproduction is reminiscent of the Immaculate Conception. There are parallels drawn between a bee and the Virgin Mary in Christian mythology. Also, Roman Catholic Churches use beeswax for lighting candles in Church altars.

The word ‘honey’ is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and good health.

In Islam

Chapter 16 of the Quran is titled An-Nahl or ‘The Bee’ and is considered to be the revelation of God itself. The chapter propagates how bees hold the secrets to nature, life, and creation while having an extraordinary link with the Creator itself.

In the Quran, paradise is pictured as a place with rivers flow with clarified and pure honey. The Prophet also acknowledges the healing prowess of honey in his sayings in Hadith. The scripture regards honeybee as a symbol of healing due to the medicinal properties of honey.

In Judaism

The celebration of Rosh Hashana includes the ritual of eating apple slices dipped in honey as it is believed to bring an auspicious and happy new year.

In Hinduism

Bee is also a noteworthy symbol in Hinduism. Bhagavata Purana states that just as bees collect nectar from all sorts of flowers, wise men too must renounce bigotry and respect all religions, thereby emerging as a symbol of tolerance and liberalism.

According to the Vedas, the buzzing of a bee is symbolic of the fundamental sound of the universe. These ancient scriptures hold bees in high regard due to the medicinal powers of honey. Vedic scriptures dating back to 1500 BC refer to honey as the ‘nectar of the sun’.

The bow of Kamadeva, the Hindu God of Love and Fertility, is said to be made of sugarcane, while its string is made of honeybees. The Goddess Bhramari Devi stands as the Indian Bee Goddess, with her name deriving from the word ‘bhramara’, meaning bumblebee.

In Celtic Religion

As per Celtic mythology, bees are the link between this world and the realm beyond, besides being a bearer of secret wisdom. They are a Celtic symbol of humanitarianism, fraternity, intelligence, and empathy.

Killing a Bee

Since bees are clearly considered to be holy insects signifying something positive, killing one is looked upon as a bad omen, a harbinger of bad luck, or an unwelcome visitor.