Praying Mantis Meaning and Symbolism

Having a Praying Mantis as Your Spirit Animal (Totem Animal)

When the praying mantis is your spirit animal, it means that you are as calm, patient, meditative, and peaceful as it. You are focused and keen on succeeding in your endeavors.

The mantis does not take any step without being confirmed of the positivity of its outcome. You, too, like it never rush about anything, contemplating a lot before performing a particular action, thus, making lesser mistakes.

Handling pressure-situations with grace, conviction, and perseverance are also part of your significant traits.

You may also possess a dual personality like the insect, being tranquil and poised on the one hand, but at the same time knowing to emerge powerfully when the need arises.

The female mantis gets hugely protective when it comes to protecting herself or her young ones. You would also take after this trait of being extremely possessive in safeguarding all that you hold dear.

The hypnotic power of the mantis would reflect in your traits, giving you the ability to mesmerize all with your antics.

Like the insect, you derive satisfaction on achieving a goal, but never sit back and cherish your laurels. Instead, you put your past experiences into action to fare better in your future endeavors.

What Does it Spiritually Mean When You See a Praying Mantis

 The insect symbolizes good luck, and seeing a praying mantis means that positive news is on your way soon. Sighting it at a time when you are amidst chaos and confusion means you are being warned to take it slow and listen to your inner voice. Its appearance after your near one’s death stands for a message from the deceased. It is also a messenger of peace, serving as your spiritual guide, instilling in you the virtues of harmony and peace.

Seeing a Dead Praying Mantis

It symbolizes of any failure you went through in the past.

Sighting of a Baby Praying Mantis in the House

A baby praying mantis stands for mindfulness, and patience, urging you to calm your mind that might be in immense turmoil or stress at the time you saw it.

Praying Mantis Dream Meaning

Seeing a praying mantis in your dream may have several implications. It could indicate that there is someone who is ignoring you or your feelings completely or even guiding you to face the bigger fears in life bravely. It may also warn you of impending danger ahead or urge you to be more watchful of the people around who could deceive you any time. The insect could visit a girl in her dreams to instill feelings of guilt of offending someone. According to certain studies, people under the influence of drugs often see this insect in their dreams.

A praying mantis attacking you means that in your hectic life, you barely have time for yourself. Hence it would help if you slowed down a little to attain peace and tranquility.

Visualizing the insect hunting prey indicates that you must be wise and cautious in making important decisions in life.

A dead praying mantis or one without arms or legs represents the failure you had in any relationship in the past, which prevents you from getting into a newer one at present.

Praying Mantis Symbol in Different Religions and Cultures

In Bible and Christianity

Biblically, the mantis stands for piety and spiritualism. Christians are of the notion that the presence of these creatures in one’s home indicates that he or she is being watched over by the angels.

In Islam

According to Muslims, it always faces the direction of Mecca, guiding pilgrims heading towards the holy pilgrimage site.

In South African culture

According to the Khoi and San tribes of South Africa, the mantis was regarded as god due to its praying posture.

In Greek culture

Mantis in the Greek language translates to a seer or prophet. The Greeks regarded it as holy and pious, believing that these insects could guide the travelers who lost their way to the directions of their home. 

In Chinese culture

The insect has been held in high regard in China because of its graceful movements. Two martial art forms, namely the Northern and Southern Praying Mantis, have developed based on their movement and fighting patterns. Its eggs formed an integral part in traditional Chinese medicine, helping to cure bedwetting in children.

In Japanese culture

There goes a common belief that a praying mantis sighting could foretell one of their death.

In Italian culture Italians are of the notion that the insect looking at one menacingly could make that person ill.