Dragonflies: Friend or Foe
Firecracker skimmer dragonfly
Kismet, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a hypothetical force or personified power that determines the course of future events. Some prefer the terms fate and destiny, which fundamentally represent a type of fortune or the will of the Universe. Even if the black cat crossing your path is named Lucky and innocently chasing a butterfly, it is believed to bring a bad omen. Throughout history, humans have assigned positive and negative connotations to things, animals, insects, and circumstances, thereby establishing beliefs in literature and folklore from diverse cultures.
Lucky, the lucky black cat
When I unexpectedly encountered a firecracker skimmer, a bright orange dragonfly native to western North America, it raised the question of whether this interaction should be feared, bringing to mind the chicken and egg idiom. Does being informed that something signifies bad luck eventually lead to misfortune in one's life, or does one only become aware of the misfortune upon learning about the bad omen? My Google search revealed that in some cultures, the sight of a blue dragonfly is believed to indicate imminent death. Conversely, other sources suggested positive meanings such as loyalty, faith, and trust. I prefer to embrace the latter interpretation.
Blue dragonfly
The flame orange-winged insect landed on my index finger, bringing joy, wellness, and creativity to anyone who witnesses its spectacular beauty. Perhaps I offered it a momentary respite from fluttering its intricately designed wings across Southern California. Considering that dragonflies have existed on Earth for over 300 million years, one might assume they have had ample time to determine their own purpose.
Instead of feeling doomed to seven years of bad luck for breaking a compact mirror or worrying that failing to respond to a chain letter will result in a lifetime of poverty, simply clean up the mirror shards and carry on. Moreover, the sender of the chain letter was likely seeking a response from its recipient, so it's best not to give one.
Next time someone gasps over spilled salt on the tablecloth, there's no need to fret—it's just a few granules of salt on the fabric.
Spilled salt