You might ask, what do cicadas symbolize? What are cicadas a metaphor for?
Cicadas, for many, represent personal change, renewal, rebirth, and transformation.
Unlike a butterfly, moth, or other insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, cicadas have no pupal state. They transform from one fully-functioning state (instar) to another — one viable form, in a small amount of time, changing to another. The cicada’s transformation is similar to that of human beings. If a person wants or needs to make a change in their life, they don’t enclose themselves in a pod and emerge the next spring (I suppose some might) — more likely they remain in their human form as they change.
A lot of people use cicadas to symbolize their own personal transformation, in art, song, poetry, or even a tattoo. The cicada inherently symbolizes what they were — earth-bound, nymphs –and all the glory of what they have become — adults with wings & a song.
Cicadas can also be a symbol for a musician or singer since they sing.
Since cicadas sing mostly during the summer months, they are a symbol of summer and a precursor to the harvest.
Watch some cicada transformations:
I’ve just been to Cambodia and the noise of the cicadas increased towards the end of March. A local told me that this is a ‘happy sound’ because it happens just prior to Songkran. He said the cicadas were a sign of ‘happy new year’ 🙂
Thank you for leaving this comment. Looks like “Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’.” Source.
I just heard a loud sound coming from a above a tree, l thought someone’s car engine problem when l went there my bro told me it is cicadas that are making the sound. I live the sound so nice. They stop suddenly then after awhile start again, so cute.
I don’t think anyone understands how much I LOVE cicadas. I believe that I am a cicada reincarnated as a human because I am so close to them. I would literally cut my legs off for cicadas. I love cicadas
Yes! I love the sound of cicadas. It is the sound of my childhood, at dusk. I find their sound peaceful, not irritating at all. 2 nights ago, i heard them at the back of my house, wow! I hope they stay for good.
I was rescuing cicadas floundering in the water today. While my husband fished the net was mine for rescues!!
The last one chose not to fly away but stay on my hand then the crook of my arm. My friend stayed with me on the boat for 2 hrs never once trying to fly away! Then my new friend started to vibrate lightly and move
Thinking he was getting ready to go, I watched intently
My friend chose instead to pass with me
I saw a cicada emerge from its shell — the shell brown and old, the new cicada a beautiful bright green, much like the weeping willow in a new spring. Then a scene showed me gathering hundreds, maybe thousands of old cicada shells. I was using them to decorate flower beds, much as one would use peddles as a decoration.
I’m Nimh…^-^…nice to meet you.
All primes are sacred, art is creation. All life is sacred. Well here we go pilgrim. See you space cowboy.
Hey Nihm :3 been a while since I believed in you, I’m close to Luke. I’ve been on the search for the square root of creation, answer seems to be Love, whatever that is! I’m sure I’ll know eventually though. Catch you later princess!
The trees are buzzing and humming in Cincinnati! Enjoy this amusing song I wrote, entitled “Five Million Cicadas.” You can hear the cicadas in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKsS42EGWM4
Your song made me smile, thanks for sharing! I saved a couple earlier this spring from the pool down here in Texas. Yesterday I passed one laying on it’s back trying so hard to flip over. I picked it up and noticed it didn’t have wings. I put it on a tree branch and googled their lifecycle. When I went to check on the lil feller, he had started molting! I got to watch and photographed the whole process. It’s little wings were new and crumpled up. He fell so I picked him up and put him on my ???? Hibiscus even though he didn’t want to leave my finger. As I periodically checked on him, his wings swelled and straightened and it was the coolest feeling that I helped him on to his next path. The legs creep me out but they are so chill I’m kinda missing the lil guy! I do believe the Cicada is my spirit bug!
WONDERFUL SONG….CATCHY AND FUN….!!! THANK YOU..!!! ;D