What Do Crickets Mean Spiritually? Plus, Dream Interpretations

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Learn what crickets symbolize in different cultures
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Crickets are insects known for making beautiful music and bringing good luck. In addition to being lucky, crickets also symbolize wisdom, inner strength, and creativity. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about crickets’ spiritual meanings, as well as what they mean to different cultures. Plus, learn what it means to encounter or dream of a cricket, what it means to have a cricket spirit animal, and what cricket tattoos symbolize.

What do crickets symbolize spiritually?

Crickets are positive symbols associated with good luck, fortune, and prosperity. They also sometimes symbolize intuition, wisdom, self-expression, and inner strength. Seeing a cricket often means good things are headed your way, and it’s generally considered bad luck to kill them.

Section 1 of 8:

Common Spiritual Meanings of Crickets

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  1. In many cultures around the world, crickets are closely associated with good luck. They’re positive symbols that are thought to bring good fortune, prosperity, and opportunity. Because of this, it is often believed that killing a cricket will bring bad luck. [1]
  2. Crickets use their long antennae to detect motion and sense what’s around them, which often helps them find food and avoid predators. [2] Because of this, they’re sometimes associated with intuition, perception, and being in-tune with your surroundings. They’re also sometimes associated with protection and vigilance for similar reasons.
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  3. Crickets often seek shelter in homes that are warm and safe, and according to some beliefs, are attracted to homes that are happy. Therefore, crickets are commonly associated with kindness, generosity, warmth, and comfort, and are believed to bring happiness to a home. [3]
  4. Despite appearing small and weak, crickets have strong hind legs that allow them to jump long distances and get away from predators. [4] People also often go out of their way to avoid harming them. Therefore, crickets serve as a reminder that small things should not be underestimated, and often symbolize strength and humility.
  5. Crickets rub their wings together to make a pleasant chirping sound, which many people think of as music. [5] Because of this crickets are sometimes associated with self-expression, music, creativity, and peace.
    • On the other hand, the chirping of a cricket is sometimes used to emphasize an awkward silence. The sound can also be associated with silence, disconnection, or embarrassment.
  6. The sound of crickets often reminds people of playing outside as children, and the way they hop around is reminiscent of the joy and enthusiasm children possess. Therefore, crickets may sometimes represent childhood, playfulness, innocence, and happiness.
  7. Crickets have long been associated with wisdom in folktales, literature, and even movies (like Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s Pinocchio ). [6] These insects often symbolize good judgment, a strong conscience, wisdom, and guidance.
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Section 2 of 8:

Cricket Meanings Across Cultures

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  1. Many Native American folktales and beliefs depict crickets as positive symbols thought to bring good luck. The Cherokee, for example, view the cricket as a witty and courageous creature that always succeeds in situations, despite its physical limitations. The Cheyenne believed crickets could predict where buffalo herds would move and were therefore associated with the hunt. [7]
    • Not all Native American cultures consider crickets good luck, however. Some tribes in the West believe crickets are bad luck, especially if they’re found in your house.
    • Some Native peoples in Mexico eat crickets as a favorite snack.
  2. Historically, crickets were very important to the Chinese royal family, as emperors often kept them as pets and for cricket fighting. [8] Because of this, crickets are treated with respect and are considered good luck.
    • In the movie Last Emperor , the young emperor Pu Yi keeps a caged cricket behind his throne until the end of his life.
    • Chinese farmers used the appearance and disappearance of crickets to determine when to plant and harvest their crops.
    • Because of the large number of eggs crickets lay, they were also a common way to wish many children upon a family.
  3. Crickets aren’t often mentioned in the Bible, but because they belong to the same order as locusts, many Christians associate them together. In the Bible, locusts are a symbol of God’s wrath, and they encourage Christians to stay true to their faith. Leviticus 11:22 also states that locusts and crickets are insects that are allowed to be eaten. [9]
  4. Crickets and other singing insects were commonly kept as pets in Japan. They symbolized the changing of seasons and the approaching winter, and therefore were also associated with a sense of nostalgia or melancholy. [10]
  5. Like many other cultures, the Celts associated crickets with good luck and wisdom. Having a cricket in the home was a positive symbol believed to protect the home from mischief and magic. [11]
    • Some legends claim that crickets had incredibly long lifespans and knew the history of the entire world.
    • According to old wives’ tales, crickets could be used to predict the weather. The warmer the weather, the faster they’d chirp. Counting the number of chirps could tell you when summer would arrive.
    • Not all European countries consider crickets good luck, however. According to German folklore, encountering a cricket is a bad omen that warns of a loved one’s death. If a cricket is chirping louder than usual, it means bad weather is coming.
  6. Many different peoples live in Africa, and none of them view crickets the same way. In some cultures, crickets are associated with strength and power because bush crickets have armored bones and spines. [12] In other cultures, they’re symbols of fertility and prosperity that can predict rain or a new romantic relationship.
    • In other African cultures, crickets are considered a negative omen if found in the home.
  7. In one Greek myth, the goddess of the dawn, Eos, fell in love with a mortal man named Tithonus. Because he was mortal, she feared he would die. She asked Zeus to make him immortal but did not ask for eternal youth. Because of this, Tithonus aged until he was withered and suffering, so Eos turned him into a cricket to ease his pain. For this reason, crickets may be associated with love, old age, and selflessness. [13]
    • In some versions of the myth, Eos turns Tithonus into a cicada instead.
  8. In Brazilian folklore, when a cricket chirped, it meant rain was coming or that you’d soon find wealth. [14] However, depending on the location, crickets also hold other meanings. In southeast Brazil, the color of the cricket indicates different things. For example, green crickets symbolize hope, black crickets predict illness, and gray crickets symbolize money.
    • In Alagoas, crickets were believed to predict death. If you saw one in your home, you had to kill it to prevent death.
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Section 3 of 8:

Cricket Color Meanings

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  1. Crickets are usually brown, black, or yellow-brown, though they come in a variety of colors depending on where they live. Because colors often hold meanings of their own, the color of a cricket sometimes holds additional symbolism. Here are some common colors and what they mean: [15]
    • White crickets: White crickets, or albino crickets, sometimes indicate that someone you love will re-enter your life. This could be a family member, friend, or ex, and is generally considered a positive sign.
    • Black crickets: The color black often symbolizes the hidden and the unconscious mind, so black crickets are frequently associated with secret wisdom and knowledge, as well as trusting your intuition.
    • Green crickets: Green crickets resemble grasshoppers and are frequently associated with new beginnings and opportunities. Seeing a green cricket may indicate that you’re setting out on your own spiritual path.
    • Yellow crickets: The meanings associated with yellow crickets are primarily dream-based. When you dream of a yellow cricket, it may mean you have trust issues, especially in regards to a relationship. However, it can also be a sign that you’ll be successful in your endeavors.
    • Red crickets: The meanings of red crickets are also dream-based. Dreaming of a red cricket may mean you tend to overindulge in the waking world, or that you tend to be inconsistent. It’s often a sign that you’re off track and should focus on a healthy lifestyle.
Section 4 of 8:

What It Means to Encounter a Cricket

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  1. While this varies from culture to culture, seeing a cricket in your home is generally considered a good omen, as crickets are believed to seek out homes that are warm, happy, and loving. Encountering a cricket in your house often means that good things are headed your way. Get ready to welcome them with open arms. [16]
    • In cultures where crickets are considered pests, having one in your home may be considered a bad omen, instead. If you think crickets in the home are bad luck, try to get it back outside as soon as possible.
  2. 2
    Seeing a cricket is a sign to take a leap of faith. Sometimes, encountering a cricket means you’re nervous about a situation or doubting a decision. However, the cricket is actually a sign that it’s time to trust your instincts and take a leap of faith. Because crickets are generally considered good luck, seeing one may be a sign that everything will work out in your favor.
    • For example, if you’ve been thinking about asking someone on a date, now is the time to go for it! Or, if you’ve been thinking about switching careers, start applying for new jobs.
    • According to some beliefs, encountering a cricket is also a sign of fertility, so it may mean someone around you will soon become pregnant.
  3. Because crickets are symbols of good luck in so many cultures, many believe that killing one will bring bad luck. If you’re superstitious, try moving or chasing a cricket away rather than killing it. [17]
    • Don’t panic if you kill a cricket, however. This belief comes from folklore and mythology, and there is no scientific evidence that killing a cricket will cause bad things to happen.
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Section 5 of 8:

Cricket Dream Meanings

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  1. When you hear a cricket in your dreams or in real life, it’s often a positive sign that indicates you’ll soon experience a period of prosperity or abundance. [18] You’ve worked hard to achieve your goals, and now they’re coming to fruition.
  2. In some folklore and mythology, crickets are believed to be able to predict things like the weather or the future in general. If you catch a cricket in your dream, it may indicate that you’ll soon be able to predict events that will happen or that you have a strong intuition for what lies ahead.
  3. If you get attacked by a cricket (or multiple crickets) in your dream, it’s time to focus on your goals. You may have lacked determination in the past, but now is the time to buckle down and get to work. Alternatively, you be be experiencing a lot of anxiety. [19]
  4. If you dream of a cricket crawling or jumping on you, you’re likely feeling anxious or overwhelmed about something in your waking life. It may be a particular situation that you need to face head on. Try not to be too hard on yourself, and be willing to accept whatever outcome life has in store for you. [20]
  5. If a cricket is jumping around aimlessly in your dream, it may be a symbol of your own indecision or fears. However, this is ultimately a positive scenario, as the dream indicates that you’ll be able to overcome any challenges in your way. Stop worrying so much and trust your instincts.
  6. If you dream of a cricket that is much larger than usual, it’s often a sign that you need to resolve any issues you’ve been facing in the workplace. It may also indicate that you will soon take a risk in relation to your job.
    • For example, maybe you’re feeling overworked and need to talk to your boss about cutting your hours back. Or perhaps you’re having issues with a coworker and need to discuss the problem with HR.
  7. While killing or finding a dead cricket in your dream can symbolize bad luck, it often represents a period of transition. It’s time to enter a new phase in your life and say goodbye to things that no longer serve you. This may be bittersweet, but you’ll be happier once you accept the change. [21]
  8. Black is sometimes considered a negative color, so dreaming of a black cricket may mean there’s too much negativity in your life or that you’re feeling particularly sad or lonely. [22] Try to look at things from a new perspective; what seems like an obstacle may actually be an opportunity. Find the silver lining and try to remain positive.
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Section 6 of 8:

Cricket Tattoo Meanings

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  1. In many parts of the world, crickets are considered good omens and are associated with luck and fortune. Therefore, cricket tattoos often symbolize good luck. They may also represent adaptability, optimism, intuition, and self-expression. Cricket tattoos can also hold meanings specific to the person who has them, or they may have no special meaning at all.
Section 7 of 8:

Crickets in Literature

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  1. Many folktales associate crickets with wisdom, so they’re often featured in children’s stories as a way to help children determine right from wrong. Here are a few examples of crickets in stories and fables:
    • The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle tells the story of a cricket who finds it difficult to speak up, but eventually finds his voice.
    • Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Cricket” tells the story of a lazy cricket who ate, sang, and slept all summer long while the ant gathered food. When winter arrives, the cricket is unprepared and begs the ant for food, to which the ant tells the cricket to dance the winter away. The tale teaches that hard work is important. [23]
    • The Adventures of Pinocchio features a character called the Talking Cricket, who tries to tell Pinocchio to stop causing mischief. Pinocchio throws a mallet at the cricket and kills him, and he later shows up as a ghost. In Disney’s Pinocchio , this character becomes Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s conscience. [24]
    • Charles Dickens’s “The Cricket on the Hearth” tells the story of a cricket that chirps on a hearth and ends up acting as a guardian angel for the family. [25]
    • George Selden’s The Cricket in Times Square tells the story of a mouse and a cat who meet a hitchhiking cricket who hopped into a picnic basket and found himself in New York City, which led him to friendship and adventures.
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Section 8 of 8:

Crickets as Totem or Spirit Animals

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  1. The cricket represents intuition and inner strength. Align yourself with the cricket when you need to get mental clarity on a situation or your future path seems uncertain. Crickets are connected to creative pursuits and self-expression, so writing in a journal may be an especially helpful tool for you.
    • Cultures have different names for animals that can assist with your spiritual journey–they might be called totem animals, spirit animals, or power animals.
  2. People who strongly relate to crickets have a positive attitude, a generous heart, and a strong moral backbone. They take responsibility for their actions and try to learn from their mistakes. While they want to help others, they may sometimes hold their loved ones to too-high standards of accountability.
    • Be aware that the term “spirit animal” may be offensive to some Native Americans. While most Native Americans do not use the term, it was appropriated from their inclusion of animals in various spiritual practices and turned into a pop culture term. To be respectful, it may be best to avoid using the phrase and to simply say you relate to an animal instead.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.marcolian.com/?p=2419
      2. ↑ https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/3/1009/files/2015/05/Getting-to-Know-Your-Cricket-ELEMENTARY-CIBT.pdf
      3. ↑ https://spells8.com/cricket-omen-spiritual-meaning/
      4. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/crickets
      5. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/crickets
      6. ↑ https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/reimagining-jiminy-cricket
      7. ↑ https://www.native-languages.org/legends-cricket.htm
      8. ↑ https://amis-musee-cernuschi.org/en/chanteurs-et-combattants-en-cage-grillons-et-criquets-en-chine-2/
      9. ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2011%3A22&version=NIV
      1. ↑ https://traditionalkyoto.com/culture/figures/singing-insects/
      2. ↑ https://www.libraryireland.com/AncientLegendsSuperstitions/Cricket.php
      3. ↑ https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13002-022-00524-w
      4. ↑ https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103RG1
      5. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7246718_Cricket_singing_means_rain_Semiotic_meaning_of_insects_in_the_district_of_Pedra_Branca_Bahia_State_northeastern_Brazil
      6. ↑ https://spells8.com/cricket-omen-spiritual-meaning/
      7. ↑ https://www.marcolian.com/?p=2419
      8. ↑ https://www.angelicalbalance.com/spirituality/is-it-bad-luck-to-kill-a-cricket/
      9. ↑ https://spells8.com/cricket-omen-spiritual-meaning/
      10. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/dream-of-crickets-meaning/
      11. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/dream-of-crickets-meaning/
      12. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/dream-of-crickets-meaning/
      13. ↑ https://practicalpie.com/dream-of-crickets-meaning/
      14. ↑ https://antssouthafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Ant-and-the-Cricket-z-lib.org_compressed.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOopyC1UtJMIz7Xs6FGj_jLo1gH-433Ikr9BqmeQvQfQqEzn6yYB9
      15. ↑ https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/reimagining-jiminy-cricket
      16. ↑ https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Dickens/Cricket/Dickens_Cricket.pdf

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