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Dragonflies, Vintage Decor, and Period Living

Jan 22nd, 2012
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Dragonflies have a rich history in art and interior decoration, both in their natural form and in stylized form as symbols. They appear worldwide in art, fabrics, ceramics, stories, sculpture, furniture and wall carvings. They appear on jewelry, lamps, carpets, clothing, and much more. Although the meaning of dragonflies as symbols varies, the symbolism is invariably positive.

Those who decorate their homes in period styles and want authentic motifs from the past that are still attractive to modern sensibilities often choose dragonflies for their mysterious beauty and natural charm. Lovely as they are, it is still important to use them correctly. At different times and in different places, the dragonfly motif has been portrayed quite differently.

If you favor vintage interior decoration, it is well worth spending some time looking at how dragonfly images have been portrayed and used over the years to prevent mistakes that can clash with the rest of your decor.

Besides showing examples of authentic period design in modern usage, Period Living magazine shows holiday homes and provides rental advertising tips. So if your vintage house with is a second home or you want to rent it for other reasons such as spending time out of the country on business, you can find appreciative and responsible renters who will be gentle with your home and furnishings.

After all, there is no reason not to make money from your second home, and beautiful, thoughtful decor can help you do that. Authentic, fanciful decor can set your home apart from others and make it especially appealing to potential tenants who are looking for a beautiful and interesting place to rent.

From Japanese paintings and the Pueblo pottery of the American Southwest to Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Art Deco furnishings, dragonfly images can enhance the decor of many eras.


Dragonflies in Many Cultures, Pt. 1

Sep 11th, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Dragonflies are found all over the world, but what they mean to the people in different parts of the world can be very different.

To some Native American peoples, dragonflies are associated with swiftness and activity. For others, dragonflies symbolize water and abundant food.

To the Dine, or Navajo,�dragonflies represent�pure water, a scarce and treasured resource in their desert lands.

Dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery. The Zuni have a wonderful story about the origin of the dragonfly, which was beautifully retold by best-selling author Tony Hillerman in a children’s book called The Boy Who Made Dragonfly.

Stylized as a double-barred cross, dragonflies appear in Hopi rock drawings and on Pueblo jewelry.

DRAGONFLY SYMBOL INSIDE A HOPI BOWL.

In China and Japan, dragonflies were traditionally used for medicine.

People in some parts of the world eat dragonflies as adults or larvae, as in Indonesia, where dragonflies are fried in oil and eaten as a traditional delicacy.

Europeans and Americans traditionally had a quite different view of dragonflies, as I’ll explain in Part 2 of this series.

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Prepping my son for college orientation and then freshman year

Sep 6th, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Guest post written by Susie Holdman

I can’t believe that the time has finally come to tell my son goodbye before he goes off to college. I think that he’s so relieved that it’s finally come for this time. He had a serious case of senioritis. But there are still a few things to get for him right before we take him to his orientation. His classes begin right after orientation, so this stuff has to get done now.

I was looking online to find some ideas of anything that we might have missed on our last trip to Walmart and while I was looking through that I decided to browse the website wirelessinternet.net. After I looked through it a little bit I decided to change over our home internet service to it.

I bought the last few notebooks for him that he wanted. He’s supposed to pick up his textbooks at student orientation, so at least he won’t have to worry about that right before his classes start. This time has come way before we knew it.


Dragonfly String Lights: The Perfect Addition To Your Boring Garden and Patio

Aug 21st, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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R, G, and B LEDs [7].

LED LIGHTS Image via Wikipedia

If you are getting bored by your uninteresting patio and garden, then here is a helpful tip on how you can bring life back to these parts of your home. The garden and the patio cannot be easily renovated or spruced up without spending a big amount of money.

A project like that will not only cost you money but hard work as well. The good news is that you can spice up the look of your garden and patio without having to make major changes to it. The answer to your dilemma is just a few strands of dragonfly lights.

Different Types

Although they all have the same dragonfly design, there are actually different types of dragonfly string lights. They can be made of different types of materials like plastic or twisted wire. They also come with different functions. Some are just plain while some are blinking.

There are also some types with more complicated functions like multi-color function, strobe light function and chase light function. Some dragonfly string lights also have LED light bulbs which are brighter than the ordinary light bulbs used in string lights.


Your Questions About Meaning of the Dragonfly

Jun 27th, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Sandy asks…

Why do dragonflies appear to me at very important times in my life?

A dragonfly appeared right before a chance meeting with a future boyfriend, there was a poster of a dragonfly on the ceiling during a surgery I had, my husband’s brother and his wife have dragon fly towels, the street of a brand new home my husband and I wanted to buy was named “Dragon Fly Creek Avenue”. Dragon Flies appear to me at life changing moments. What does this mean?
My husband and I looked at the name of the street AFTER we decided we wanted to buy the house.

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Clearly at some point you were bitten by a gamma-irradiated dragonfly, leaving you with the uncanny ability to, um, see them around sometimes.

I don’t know, honestly, it could be anything from coincidence to “divine intervention.” But, according to a recent (2 seconds ago) google search, dragonflies symbolize “maturity and depth of character,” “power and poise,” and the “defeat of self-created illusions.” So that can’t be all bad.

Donald asks…

Haiku by Kobayashi Issa?

Is there some kind of hidden meaning in this poem, or is it just describing peaceful scenery?

Beautiful, seen through holes
Made in a paper screen:
The Milky Way.

Far-off mountain peaks
Reflected in its eyes:
The dragonfly.

A world of dew:
Yet within the dewdrops–
Quarrels.

With bland serenity
Gazing at the far hills:
A tiny frog

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Ya, it’s just headed for a feeling and no cerebral diesel noise.

James asks…

As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Dragonflies Draw Flame – the last sentence, what does it mean?

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each
hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves – goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is -
Christ. For Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.

– Gerard Manley Hopkins, Norton Anthology of Poetry 4th ed.

This is one of my favorite poems, but I’ve never been able to satisfactorily figure out what Manley’s trying to say in that very last sentence. Any one have any ideas?
P.S. I really suggest reading this one out loud… I love the sound the poem makes of a swinging bell.
Please comment on the repetitive ‘s’ sound, too!

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Ok, I will have to admit to my ignorance. I have never read Hopkins’s poems. I have been reading this one over and over to understand what he means with the imagery that he is presenting (very powerful, indeed)…

Lives in limbs, looking through eyes not his… Maybe we need to give the verb “play” an intransitive meaning, rather than the opposite. For example: metaphorically speaking, as light “plays” in our eyes and faces, so does Christ.

Or, another completely different option, would be the proposition of an idea that the presence of Christ can be found, actively in “play” in human beings guiding us to his Father.

I feel that this imagery is meant to project a sense of feeling, rather than to create an instance of descriptive allegory, that’s why I favor my first impression…

It probably makes not sense whatsoever!

Ruth asks…

Why do dragonflies appear to me at very important times in my life?

A dragonfly appeared (flying beside my car at 35 mph) right before I got a flat tire on a rural dirt road, whence a nice single 35 year old man (my age) stopped to help change the tire (turned out to be a bad 4 month-long relationship); there was a poster of a dragonfly on the ceiling of the room where I had surgery; my husband’s brother & his wife have dragonfly towels; the street of a brand new home my husband & I wanted to buy was named “Dragon Fly Creek Ave.” (we looked at the name of the street AFTER we decided to buy the house). Dragonflies appear to me at life-changing moments. What does this mean?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

You clearly precognitively spontaneously generate dragonflies and dragonfly related objects when you are about to experience new stressors in your life. This is your super power. Embrace it and try to use it to make a fortune on the stock market. Give me 3% of your earnings as a finder’s fee for identifying your latent talent.

Hmmmm then again, could just be random. Either way, can I have money now? :)

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Your Questions About Dragonflies Meaning

Mar 19th, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Mark asks…

Spiritual meaning of dragonflies and their colors?

Colors Blue, Green, Black & blue, Red and Black, Black and white

Kathleen answers:

If you are interested in historical or traditional meanings, try doing a search. Dragonflies mean different things in different cultures.

For example, in a desert culture, such as the Native American Pueblo cultures of the American Southwest, dragonflies were considered to be messengers to the spirit world. Because dragonflies are found near water, in a desert land, dragonflies are associated with abundance, because water makes the crops grow.

In late 19th and early 20th century Europe and America, dragonflies were associated with women, magic, fairies, and so on.

No one can give you a valid universal meaning for spiritual things. Different peoples thought and believed quite differently at different times. Do some research on your own and see what you find. (more…)


How to Stimulate and Add Life to Scrapbook Art with Dragonfly Clear Rubber Stamps

Jan 1st, 2011
by Dragonfly Lore.
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Cover of "Dragonflies (Collins New Natura...

Cover of Dragonflies (Collins New Naturalist)

The dragonfly is a whimiscal and colorful insect that is often though to bring good luck. In truth the dragonfly is a symbol of renewal and the power of life. A dragonfly represents change because it flies on the wind and it is a symbol or our dreamsAs one who flies on the wind, the dragonfly represents change.

As an insect that comes from the water a dragonfly is a reminder of our dreams. The dragonfly also represents good luck, prosperity, strength, peace, harmony and purity.

Since the dragonfly represents so many things, it is easy to apply creative ideas to your scrapbooking hobby. Duplicate images can easily be made and produced with your clear rubber stamps.

A dragonfly clear rubber stamp can remind you of time spent near a lake, pond or swamp chasing frogs. A dragonfly might remind you of a place you have visited, a movie you have watched, a walk in the garden or summer days. (more…)


The Meaning Behind a Dragonfly Tattoo

Feb 21st, 2010
by Dragonfly Lore.
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: A dragonfly pins is ...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

By Walter Sigmore

One of the most common tattoo designs which we can normally see in women is a dragonfly tattoo. But what is so special about this insect?

Surely, everyone is well aware that they are harmless little creatures which have beautiful, transparent wings. We also know that their body can reflect several colors.

But lately, these insects are being combined with several tattoo themes.

They can be seen with Asian or even oriental inspired designs.

Also, they are blended with tattoos of Native American theme.

They can also be mixed along with mystical designs and fantasy art.

But is there some meaning behind choosing such design? (more…)