Crane Fly Omens Spiritual Meaning

Let’s learn about the omens and spiritual meanings associated with crane flies. This creature is known by many names. They’re often given the common name of “mosquito hawk”. But, that isn’t the only name they’ve gotten. Some people know them as “daddy long legs”. Regardless of what you call them, the crane fly conveys a number of omens as well as a nuanced and complex spiritual meaning.

crane fly spiritual meaning omen

Crane flies have this way about them, don’t they? They sure do love to fly all up in your face, around your eyes and mouth. In fact, they might be the most bothersome flying critters to arrive every fall. It’s easy to get frustrated with them, for sure. But, like all of Mother Nature’s creatures, they live, thrive, and suffer through life the same way we do. So, naturally, they deserve our compassion and understanding.

Does the Crane Fly Have a Message For You?

And if you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve taken the bothersome crane fly’s attention with a kind heart. Moreover, you’ve felt an instinct that this insect has a message for you. That is, of course, an entirely personal matter. You can ask, “does the crane fly have a message,” but nobody but you can answer that. Sometimes it’s just a bug buzzing around you, and sometimes it’s an opportunity for contemplation and reflection. You decide.

Are Crane Flies a Good Omen or a Bad Omen?

It’s easy to mistake crane flies as a bad omen. This is because they stand for the arrival of autumn and the onset of winter. This means that they foretell the end of a period of abundance and the arrival of a tougher, more physically challenging period. However, it’s important to remember that the mosquito hawk is also a strong symbol of transformation. Specifically, you are receiving an omen that no matter what challenges come your way, you will change forms to meet those challenges. You will be okay.

Is Seeing a Crane Fly Good Luck?

Lots of animals are symbols of good luck. This varies, of course, where you are in the world. For example, some people think a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. Whereas in other parts of the world, Ireland specifically, black cats are certainly good luck. Think of the crafty magpie, if you are lucky enough to see two together then that is believed to be a certain sign of good luck to come.

in ireland black cats are thought to be good luck

However, when it comes to the crane fly, there are no traditions regarding it being a specific omen of good luck.

Crane Fly Bite or Sting Spiritual Meaning

So, you’re wondering what the spiritual meaning of your crane fly bite or sting means? Well, if you have a crane fly bite or sting then it’s a miracle… because they don’t sting! In fact, despite having what look like stingers at the end of their bodies, crane flies are completely and utterly harmless. Whatever stung or bit you, was not a crane fly! Despite being called “moquito hawks” by some, they’re not mosquitos, nor do they prey on mosquitos.

Don’t fret, though. There is a meaning to take from this. Crane flies look pretty fearsome, but they’re harmless. This is about yourself and others around you. People might project a tough outer shell. In fact, they might even threaten violence. But, the truth is, they are incapable of harming you. That’s important to remember. The crane fly comes to us to remind us not to judge a book by its cover. Some people can and will cause us harm, whereas others are all about bark over bite. Reflect on how well you judge people’s character and the decisions you make about people you associate with. Is there room for improvement?

Crane Flies and Transformation

Insects convey a broad message of transformation. This is because they share a common life cycle, i.e. they are born and exist in one form before entirely transforming into something else. While the classic example of this is the butterfly—from the cumbersome caterpillar to the beautiful butterfly. Bear in mind though, while the crane fly might not share the butterfly’s conventional beauty, it still transmits the same message: you can totally change your life.

So, keep in mind this fall that when the crane flies show up in your house, it’s a major omen of transformation. Firstly, they are harbingers of winter. That change from summer, into autumn and then, ultimately, winter is itself a transformation. The crane fly acts as a messenger for seasonal change.

However, the transformational change the crane fly foretells could be less than literal. Sure, you might lose a bunch of weight and look entirely different. But, it doesn’t have to be that. Maybe the crane fly is predicting a major transformation in your career or love life.

Symbol of Moderation

Crane flies and butterflies have a few things in common. First of all, they both have a larval stage and then transform into flying insects. That isn’t all though, because most species of crane fly don’t eat during their adult phase. Some butterflies are like that too, they only eat while in their larval stage. This isn’t where the similarities end. The few crane flies that do eat as adults just so happen to eat the same thing that adult butterflies do—nectar!

butterfly

What spiritual takeaway is there from this? Well, it’s about moderation. Refrain from consuming resources when you don’t really need to. That is, don’t be greedy. Crane flies have to eat when they’re young so they can grow up to be big, strong, adult crane flies. This allows them to continue the cycle and bring more crane flies into the world. Consider yourself and your role in life, think about what you do and don’t need and, especially, think about what is left for others.

Freedom and the Crane Fly

It has to be considered: crane flies can fly. It’s in the name. Whereas, humans, on the other hand, cannot. As such, we tend to revere and envy the world’s flying beings as symbols of freedom. You might think of a soaring eagle when you think of flighted freedom, but a crane fly acts as a symbol of freedom too.

What stands the crane fly apart from birds in terms of symbols of freedom is the fact that it earns its freedom. Birds come by flight early in their lives, and it’s something they are born to do. Whereas, with crane flies, flight is almost an afterthought. Most of their existence is in the larval, i.e. flightless, form. They must first navigate their dangerous existence as little grubs before they earn the right to take to the sky.

So, the crane fly tells a very specific message that you must keep fighting for your freedom. And, when you achieve it, appreciate it and put it to good use in helping others find their freedom too.

Water and Air

For many species of crane fly, their larval stage is aquatic. This is important in terms of spiritual symbolism because it means the crane fly represents both the water element and the air element. Moreover, the crane fly stands for the interaction and transformation between water and air.

What are the elements of water and air all about?

Well, let’s start like the crane fly does: in water. Elemental water represents a depth of feeling, i.e. it is the element of deep, profound emotions and the swelling of those emotions. Think of the rolling, powerful water of the ocean and compare that to the strongest emotions in your life and you’ll be getting a good grasp of water.

Meanwhile, air represents communication and the intellect required to create that communication.

So, naturally, the crane fly communicates a message that deep emotions must reach accord with your intellect. When your emotions have been reflected upon so that you can uncover the truth of those emotions and what you want to come from those emotions, then you will be able to communicate with important people in your life. You will find that if you spend time reflecting on your emotions and, importantly, considering the intellectual merit of those emotions, that your ability to communicate well will increase.

Fall Symbolism

Just like moths, crane flies are drawn to light. As such, on dark nights the front porch light of your house is pretty alluring to them. Even more attractive, though, is the brightly lit interior of your home. So, naturally, crane flies come inside. This desire to come inside your home increases with two factors: longer periods of darkness and lower temperatures.

autumn fall

Regardless of the science behind why crane flies like to come inside when autumn arrives, the spiritual omen remains the same. Crane flies foretell the arrival of autumn and the looming, cold winter ahead. Therefore, the crane fly spirit let’s us know it is late in the day and the warm days are running out. That sounds pretty ominous, huh? Well, it doesn’t have to be too literal or too negative. It simply lets you know that a cycle in your life is running out of time. That phase, whatever it may be, will soon end.

This symbolism combines with their previously mentioned status as symbols of transformation. So, not only is the mosquito hawk—as it commonly—known here to tell you that a phase is coming to an end, it is also here to tell you that you have the capacity to make the required transformation. That is, you can become who you need to be in the next phase of your life.

Fragility of Life

Speaking of the phases of life, the crane fly experiences a particularly short life. Also, for anybody who has tried to kindly guide a crane fly out of their home and back into its natural environment, then you’ll know they’re extremely delicate. It’s easy to break a wing or leg when trying to help them.

crane fly spiritual meaning omens
By Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark – Tipula paludosa, CC BY 2.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63742575

As such, the crane fly reminds us of our own delicate and tentative mortality. Moreover, the mosquito hawk is a symbol of the amazing value of life owing to its inescapable fragility.

You might be wondering how to apply the crane spirit’s advice about fragile mortality to your own life. Well, you can start by acknowledging where you are weak and practicing selfcare relating to those points of weakness. If you are able, practice altruism and extend your care and compassion to those in your community also.

What Does it Mean to See a Crane Fly in Your House?

When the crane fly spirit enters your home, it brings a message of transition followed by transformation. It is a harbinger that winter will, eventually, visit your home in both a literal and metaphorical sense. This means that phases and cycles within your home are entering their own autumns. Don’t worry though, the mosquito hawk also stands for profound and effective transformation—this means that whatever comes your way, you’ll transform to tackle the challenge and you’ll be okay!

What Does it Mean to See a Crane Fly in Your Window?

A crane fly trapped in or banging against a window is a profound message concerning your personal freedom. All flying creatures symbolize freedom. Typically we think of bird symbols and spirits when we consider freedom—the soaring hawks and eagles of the world are the quintessential example. However, the crane fly represents a different type of freedom: freedom that is hard fought for.

So, to see a crane fly trapped behind a window is to see your own freedom restricted. In order to receive blessing and gifts of personal freedom, employ the utmost of compassion and release the crane fly. Because, when you give the crane fly its freedom, you are acknowledging the value of freedom and, therefore, will bring more freedom into your own life.

Spiritual Meaning and Omens of a Dead Crane Fly

Dead creatures are often a somber sight—be it a majestic deer on the side of the highway hit by a car or an ugly cockroach turned on its back near the baseboard. Regardless of the type of life, it has been lost. It’s only natural for us, compassionate beings that we are, to express sadness.

So, we might be inclined to think that a dead crane fly is a bad omen or a sign that there is something to worry about. Well, that’s not necessarily the case. Death is often symbolic of cycles rather than ultimate ends. A death foretells the end of a cycle more than a literal death in your circle.

Mosquito hawks stand for several things. Most of all, they symbolize transformation. They are especially omens of the changing of the seasons from summer to, autumn, and ultimately winter. As such, a dead crane fly amplifies the omen of the impending end. It isn’t anything to fret over though—the end of a cycle is incoming, but something new will grow in its place. Spring, inevitably, follows autumn. And rebirth, inevitably, follows death. So, in that sense, a dead crane fly does not foretell anything particular different to a living one.

Crane Fly Dream Meaning

Psychologically speaking, the meaning of a dream is very personal. It depends entirely on how you as an individual feel about a particular topic. For example, if you find mosquito hawks terrifying, then when you dream about them that’s not good. In fact, it’s better to label that as a “nightmare” rather than a “dream”.

However, when it comes to spirituality, dreams have always been important mediums for us to receive messages from the other side. Of course, seeing a crane fly in the waking world communicates everything we’ve discussed so far. However, when it comes to dreams there are subtle differences. For example, when received in a dream, the message that transition and transformation is coming can be to do with secrets, the subconscious and the wills and thoughts of others. Those others may be people you know only in dreams or in the waking world.

Additionally, to dream of a crane fly is to do with your deepest, and often secret, emotions. These are emotions that must be filtered through your logic and intellect in the waking world. The mosquito hawk spirit has visited you in your dreams to instruct you to take those emotions, tempered by logic, and turn them into relevant communications.

Further Reading