What Does a Fly Represent Spiritually?

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Understand the power and guidance of a fly spirit animal

Co-authored by Dev Murphy, MA Reviewed by Jason Zuk

Last Updated: January 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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Fly Symbolism

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Cultural & Religious Meanings

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Seeing a Fly

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Dreaming of Flies

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Flies as Bad Omens

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Flies as Animal Guides

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Fly Tattoos

Wondering what the humble fly symbolizes spiritually? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the metaphysical significance of flies and maggots, as well as their cultural and religious meanings. Plus, we’ll walk you through what seeing a fly might mean for your spiritual well-being. Keep reading to get the full scoop.

What do flies mean spiritually?

Flies spiritually signify agility, wealth, and transformation, but also death and evil. If you see a fly, it could be a negative omen and mean something bad is going to happen or that there are dark forces in your midst that need to be addressed. It may also be a reminder to stay strong and adapt to change.

Section 1 of 7:

Fly Symbolism

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Agility Flies are famously nimble, graceful, and speedy—who among us hasn’t experienced the frustration of trying to swat at a fly only for it to escape at the last moment? Flies, therefore, symbolize agility and swiftness and the importance of being able to navigate life’s obstacles with ease and grace.^{[1]
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Freedom Because flies' wings afford them the ability to soar and easily escape threats, they can also symbolize spiritual freedom. A fly may indicate you have a need to open yourself up spiritually or to liberate yourself from (metaphorical) chains, or that you are a very free spirit.

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Malice or ill will Many of us dislike flies and find them intrusive, irritating, and unclean. So, it makes sense that flies may represent negative spiritual energy, indicate something bad may happen, or be a sign that there are evil or dark forces in your midst.
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Transformation Because flies spawn from maggots, they may be seen as symbols of transformation or regeneration. A fly may be a sign of spiritual renewal or growth.
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Adaptability Ever heard the phrase “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”? Flies embody this maxim to the extreme! So while they can be a negative spiritual symbol, they can also be seen as a sign of adaptability and flexibility. They’re a species that makes the most out of a…well, a crappy situation.
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Wealth and abundance Because flies are able to thrive in less-than-ideal (for humans, anyway) environments, they may also be seen as a symbol of abundance and financial growth. A fly is a reminder that it’s by adapting to poor situations that you’re able to grow stronger and more successful.

Section 2 of 7:

Cultural & Religious Significance of Flies

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Native American symbolism Flies are most commonly viewed as harbingers of danger or disease. However, the Navajo believe the fly represents the connection to one’s ancestors. The fly may carry special messages from ancestors or others who have passed on.
- According to Navajo belief, the Big Fly, also called Do’ tosh or the Sacred Fly, is a fly who brings luck and encouragement to sand painters.^{[2]
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- Among the Hopi tribe, Mastop (a.k.a. the Death Fly) refers to a pair of dolls, or kachinas, that represent a prayer of fertility.^{[3]
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Christian symbolism In Christianity, flies symbolize evil. As flies are naturally attracted to death, decay, dung, and other foul or unpleasant things, they are generally associated with the devil or evil in the Christian faith. They may indicate spiritual unwellness or dark forces at play.
- This is exemplified in the fourth plague that befalls the Pharaoh in the book of Exodus: a swarm of flies that torments everyone in Egypt.^{[4]
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Eastern symbolism In Eastern cultures the fly typically represents death and evil, embodied by the Mesopotamian god of war, Nergal, who is represented as a giant fly.
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African symbolism The fly is traditionally considered a positive symbol in African lore, believed to symbolize perseverance and bravery. In fact, a gold chain bearing fly pendants was found in the Ancient Egyptian queen Ahhotep I’s tomb, gifted to her by her sons in recognition of her military prowess and courage.^{[5]
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Celtic symbolism Though flies themselves aren’t really present in Celtic lore, maggots—fly babies—are. Maggots may symbolize regeneration, transformation, and growth, but they may also symbolize death, disease, and the underworld since maggots often appear among dead and decaying things.
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Greek and Roman mythology In Greek myth, Zeus lusted after Io, who he turned into a cow to hide her from his wife, Hera. But Hera isn't fooled and sends a gadfly (a type of fly) after Io to torment and sting her.^{[6]
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- Also in Greek myth, the young girl Myia fell in love with the handsome immortal Endymion, and the lunar goddess Selene turned her into a fly.

Section 3 of 7:

What to Do When You See a Fly

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Open yourself to new experiences. Flies are symbols of agility, adaptability, regeneration, and progress, all elements of courage and survival. If you see a fly, it’s a reminder to embrace change and stay open-minded and open-hearted.
- If you suspect the fly is an indicator that something in your life needs to change, be brave and stay strong, and know that whatever you’re leaving behind pales in comparison to the beauty and adventure that lie ahead.

Section 4 of 7:

What does it mean to dream about a fly?

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A fly in a dream may signify a problem in real life that needs attention. Since flies are often considered irritating creatures and are drawn to foul things like death, decay, and waste, flies in a dream may indicate there is something bothering you or having a negative influence on you in real life that needs to be addressed.^{[7]
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A fly in a dream may signify freedom and agility. While flies are often associated with foul things and negative energy, a fly is also a symbol of speed, grace, and liberation. A fly in a dream may represent spiritual freedom and growth.

Section 5 of 7:

Are flies a bad omen?

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Flies may indicate a dark or dangerous situation is looming. Flies themselves are not evil, but they may symbolize death, darkness, or dread. If you see flies, it may be a sign that not all is well, and you may need to brace yourself to face dark energy.
- They may not always signify something bad is heading your way; they may also signify something in your life needs to change. In this sense, seeing flies could be a wake-up call.

Section 6 of 7:

The Fly as Animal Guide

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The fly as an animal guide may provide guidance in uncertain times. If you identify the fly as your spirit animal, totem animal, or power animal, it may offer you strength and resilience in times of doubt or major life changes. Like the fly, have faith that you possess the adaptability and speed to embrace the changes life throws your way with nimbleness and grace.^{[8]
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- Though the concept of animal spiritual guides is prevalent in Indigenous cultures and traditions, animals as spirit guides are actually common in religious systems across the world.^{[9]
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- However, spirit animals (supernatural guides that take the form of animals) are specific to particular Indigenous cultures; if you don't belong to this culture, reconsider claiming a particular animal as your "spirit animal."^{[10]
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- A totem animal or power animal is an animal that presents itself to you when you're in need. "Totem animals" are also linked to Indigenous cultures and may not be appropriate to claim if you do not belong to one of these cultures.
- How do you know if the fly is your animal guide? If you see flies frequently or find yourself thinking or dreaming about them often, or if you feel a particular affinity to the fly, it's likely the fly is spiritually connected to you.

Section 7 of 7:

Fly Tattoo Meaning

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A fly tattoo symbolizes freedom, adaptability, and resilience. As flies spiritually symbolize the need to adapt to life's changes and the freedom of flight, a fly in a tattoo may signify that the wearer has faced challenges and persevered or adapted. A fly tattoo may also suggest that the wearer has a free spirit.
- Ultimately, though, a fly tattoo may mean whatever you want it to mean, so if you don't particularly relate to the above meanings but you'd still like to get a fly tattoo or if flies have a personal meaning for you that's not identified on our list, go for it!