Keep Seeing Grasshoppers? Here's What They Mean Spiritually + What To Do When You See Them

Grasshoppers are one of the most well-known and ancient living insects in the world. With their powerful hind legs that allow them to swiftly escape threats in the wild, grasshoppers are known for their ability to leap far distances and navigate diverse environments. Similar to small insects like ladybugs, grasshoppers are known to represent good luck. Like the dragonfly, grasshoppers also symbolize prosperity, new beginnings, and transformation.

Like many popular animal symbols, the grasshopper appears across different cultures and traditions. The grasshopper holds various spiritual interpretations, and although there is no single, universal meaning for the animal, it is widely regarded as being a positive sign.

"In various cultures across time, grasshoppers have been seen as symbols of good luck, prosperity, and freedom," says Liz Roby, an astrologer, mystic, and founder of Astrologify. "In ancient Greece, they represented nobility and immortality. In China, they've been symbols of abundance, happiness, and good luck," she adds.

According to Maggie Wilson, a spirituality expert and author of the forthcoming book Metaphysical AF, grasshoppers also represent taking big steps toward your goals and aspirations. "The grasshopper can jump horizontally—up to 20 times its own body length—so it symbolizes taking a chance or taking a big leap forward," she says. "Grasshopper medicine is very much about leaping forward, never backward, and always trusting your inner voice." 

While common interpretations of the grasshopper have to do with good luck and prosperity, the animal has also been associated with transformation, death, and rebirth. "In China, some believed that a relative would be reincarnated as a cricket or a grasshopper, so they would make little cages for them," Wilson says.

First and foremost, the grasshopper is a symbol of good luck! If you've been needing a bit of extra courage lately or you're about to take a big risk, the grasshopper can be a sign that everything is going to work out for the best.

"In literature, grasshoppers often appear as free spirits, leaping from place to place without restraint," Roby tells mindbodygreen. If you've been feeling a bit stuck or rigid lately, the grasshopper could be a sign to tap into lightheartedness, spontaneity, and freedom.

Is there something meaningful you've been wanting to accomplish lately? Or perhaps there's a major change or transformation you're about to undergo, but it seems like there are hurdles getting in the way. If so, the grasshopper is here to give an encouraging nudge, Roby says.

Although the grasshopper usually comes bearing positive messages, astrologer and tarot reader Maria Hayes says the animal can also signify a sense of carelessness. In this case, the grasshopper is inviting you to pay more attention to certain aspects of your life, including your relationships.

Like other sacred animal symbols, grasshoppers are viewed as spiritual guides that come bearing important messages for self-growth. If you see one, it may be a sign to trust that the universe is conspiring in your favor and that it's OK to take a risk right now (even if things feel scary).

If a grasshopper keeps popping up as a symbol in your life, it's likely a sign that the universe has an important message for you. Only you can determine what, exactly, an animal is trying to tell you—but by listening to your intuition, getting curious, and remaining open to the grasshopper's message, chances are, the information you crave will be revealed. 

"Like any spiritual or symbolic interpretation, much depends on personal belief and the context in which you encounter the creature," Roby says. For example, if life has felt boring and stagnant lately, the grasshopper might be a sign to have fun and get a little spontaneous. A grasshopper sitting by itself may symbolize the need to tune in to your inner voice, or it could simply be a sign that the universe is on your side.

That said, noticing a grasshopper in or around your home may bring other mystical messages. "If you keep spotting a grasshopper in your home, it might be a sign from the universe asking you to take a leap of faith," Roby says, adding, "It's an encouragement to trust your intuition and to venture into the unknown—or perhaps it's a simple reminder of the abundance and prosperity that surrounds you."

If you're an artist, entrepreneur, self-starter, or simply a passionate person with a lot of ideas, Wilson says you may be in extra luck if a grasshopper appears. "Those who have grasshopper totems seem to have an uncanny way of jumping into successful business ventures," she says. "This is very true when they have a strong ability to listen to their own voice and follow their instincts."

If a grasshopper appears in your dream, experts say to pay close attention as it is trying to send you an urgent message. According to Hayes, it can also mean that someone in your life is attempting to communicate something important to you that you aren't necessarily seeing.

"In addition to this, seeing a grasshopper in your dream may also mean that you have forgotten something very important—say, a chore, errand, or an important object," Hayes adds. 

Since grasshoppers are known for their ability to leap to great heights, seeing them in a dream could also represent metaphorical "leaps" in your own life. "Dreaming of grasshoppers can often mean that you're being guided toward a new opportunity or direction," Roby explains, adding, "It could be a nudge to be more spontaneous and to leap into a new phase of life without overthinking."

That said, it can be hard to embark on big changes and transformations without overthinking or feeling anxious. Sometimes, you may feel behind. "A grasshopper in your dream can signify that you think that everyone else is moving forward while you're staying still," Wilson explains. The grasshopper may show up in your dreams if you're afraid to take a big leap, she says. This is particularly true if you feel like you're taking a nontraditional path in some way.

Whether you keep having dreams about grasshoppers or you simply feel spiritually connected to them, spotting them can be a magical experience. The next time you see one, reflect on where you're at in life and consider what the mystical creature might be trying to tell you. Are you feeling stagnant and in need of movement? Is there a big change coming your way? Perhaps someone in your life is trying to send you a powerful message, but you keep missing it.