Pill Bugs Spiritual Meaning (Rollie Pollies)

What is the spiritual meaning of pill bugs (rollie pollies)?

Introduction

In this complex and confusing world, finding ourselves can often be more challenging than we assume.

Often, though, we can find little snippets of our personality and very being within animals.

Animals and people have more in common than we think, so we can often see personality traits and personal attributes within an animal.

For some people, though, their spiritual connection can come from insects and creatures other than animals. For example, have you ever heard of a pill bug (or pillbug)?

A pill bug is a very intriguing creature to look at.

They are also quite unique in that, despite being called a ‘bug,’ they are nothing of the sort.

In fact, a pill bug is a form of crustacean.

People tend to know what a pill bug is because they are creatures equipped with a durable, tough shell.

They also have a habit of crawling up and curling themselves into a ball-like shape for protection.

When evaluating the pill bug, many people find little of themselves within these creatures.

In some human cultures, including Native American culture, pill bugs are often seen as beings with a totemic power far greater than their physical size.

For this reason, the humble pill bug tends to have a strong spiritual meaning and connection.

When it comes to determining the pill bug’s spiritual meaning, then, there are various things to consider.

Different cultures – and individuals – hold varying views on what a pill bug is and what its spiritual meaning would be.

To help you better determine the spiritual meaning of a pill bug, we will break down the information out there.

What is a pill bug?

So, the first thing we need to ascertain is what is a pill bug.

We have noted above that they are not bugs despite the confusing name.

They are, in fact, tiny crustaceans. However, they are unique to the typical pill bug population because they live on land.

To date, they are the only form of crustacean that we know of that lives on land as opposed to in the sea.

They also contain gills and lungs, which can be rare in the crustacean kingdom.

So, you might have heard of the pill bug from its various alternative names.

These include names such as woodlouse and potato bug. They are sometimes known as a ‘rollie pollie’ – a little more on that later, though!

There is, though, more than one kind of pill bug – there are around four thousand different variations of this species.

The pill bug lives on eating rotting vegetation, and they then turn the nutrients within that vegetation into feed for plants and other natural life.

You do not need to worry about seeing a pill bug and worrying that it is about to unleash a colony of creatures that eat your vegetation. They are not here to do that; they protect our vegetation by bringing essential nutrients into the soil.

Many assume that the pill bug is a pest like most other ‘bugs.’

They are nothing of the sort, though. As noted above, the pill bug has a habit of rolling into a tiny ball when threatened by another creature.

This is a key reason they gained their name ‘rollie pollie’ among many communities.

Why have I found a bright blue pill bug?

One of the reasons you might have come across a chromatically distinctive pill bug is that it is ill.

If you come across a pill bug that is bright blue in color, then you are looking at a creature that is not well.

This is because a virus within the pill bug, iridovirus, can create this blue coloring when light reflects on top of it.

So, if you come across a pill bug in the wild and bright blue, it is likely suffering from an illness. Unfortunately, you have not just discovered a whole new species of pill bug!

Now that we have covered the basics of what a pill bug actually is let’s take a closer look at the spiritual meanings of pill bugs in the world today.

The Rollie Pollie (Pill Bug) Spiritual Meaning: What Is Out There?

Native American Spiritual Meanings For The Pill Bug

So, the most prominent spiritual connection for a pill bug stems from Native American cultures.

The pill bug retains a sense of being seen as a protector of the world and the environment.

Indeed, in the past, it has not been uncommon for a spiritual ceremony to contain the use of pill bugs as some form of warding element.

Many Native Americans believe that, when used in a ritual, the pill bug can help to provide some form of protection from evil.

To many, then, using a pill bug – or a collection of pill bugs – in a ritual can be a good way of offering shielding from potential danger and harm.

This, though, is not the only major spiritual meaning that exists out there in the world.

A Symbol Of Fertility

Another interesting feeling that exists around pill bugs in Native American communities is their connection to fertility.

Many fertility rituals have included the use of pill bugs. Why? Because, to many, the pill bug is the perfect symbolization of growth and fresh beginnings in life.

Ask any spiritually attuned Native American, and they will tell you that the presence of a pill bug – especially at random – is a sign that you must embrace change and look for new opportunities in life.

If you are trying to have a child and are having a hard time conceiving, then many Native Americans would recommend that you take a look at finding some pill bugs!

A Symbol Of Security

Many tribes also believe that the pill bug symbolizes protective care and security.

They offer a way to help people feel like they are being warded and protected somehow.

The reasons for this vary, but the most typical reason comes down to that powerful shell: it provides the pill bug with security, so why not you as well?

If you like to look into symbols that can bring a sense of warding and protection, pill bugs do a fantastic job of doing just that.

This is why many people use pill bugs in rituals for warding and protection from evil.

The Pill Bug: The Bringer Of Rain?

Intriguingly, many spiritual meanings of pill bugs also focus on the fact that they are connected to rain.

Like creatures like the ladybird, many associate the pill bug with bringing change – even in the weather.

They are believed to be bringers of rain and moisture, as they understand the importance of moisture in the soil to help keep vegetation growing and thus help feed themselves.

For that reason, many Native American cultures see the presence of pill bugs in an area as a sign that the weather is about to change.

Since they feed on rotting vegetation, and rain is needed to keep vegetation growing, this symbolic connection can feel pretty typical.

The Importance Of Resilience

As noted above, the pill bug defends itself by rolling into a small ball to ward off potential threats.

This is not only adorable, but it is a sign of the resilience these creatures face.

Often living in challenging environments, the pill bug must overcome obstacles that force it to be increasingly durable.

Regardless of the challenges we face in life, many spiritually-minded people believe that the pill bug symbolizes that kind of resilience.

Of the importance of seeing through tough times and challenges. They might test us and make our lives miserable for a period, but if we persevere through these challenges, we are often rewarded for our hard work, commitment, and resilience.

The Rollie Pollie Is A Symbol Of Creative Thinking

Another huge benefit to the spiritual meaning of pill bugs is their creativity.

Few creatures have to get as creative to survive as the rollie pollie.

They show us that small, otherwise boring tasks are important to the greater cause.

Without their nutritional input to the soil, we would not have the quality of vegetation we enjoy today.

The pill bug is a stark reminder sent by nature that we should enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Small steps take us further, and we must appreciate the importance of those small steps. In many cultures, especially Native American cultures, the pill bug is seen as a symbol of enduring creativity.

Of helping us to be more expressive and, crucially, to enjoy the steps we need to take to create and formulate success for years to come.

By being more mindful of the steps we need to take to achieve success, the pill bug reminds us of the importance of each step we take and the impact it can have.

The Rollie Pollie: A Symbol Of Gratitude

The pill bug plays a key role in feeding the soil with nutrients, so they are a critical part of the life cycle.

Without creatures like this, our soil would be less fertile, and thus, our crops would be less opulent.

As such, they are seen as creatures that bring us a sense of gratitude.

Without those small steps in life, would we be able to achieve the great things that we will go on to do in this world?

For that reason, many view the pill bug as a creature that brings a sense of positivity.

They are seen as an essential part of our world in that they help to create a sense of understanding of the importance of balance. They help us to appreciate the small things in life that we often take as simply naturally occurring.

Simple things like the soil being rich in nutrients take a natural process: it does not happen by magic!

The Vitality Of An Open Heart

Another spiritual aspect often associated with the pill bug is that it reflects the importance of an open heart.

If we close our hearts to things, we often find that our lives are worse for that decision. However, these creatures help us to understand that we should have an open heart and mind to all elements of life.

Especially in modern life, it is increasingly easy to be shut off from the challenges that other people seek, of the difficulties that other people might face.

The pill bug, though, is a simple but effective sign from nature that we should not lose sight of the little things in life.

This includes being there for the people we care about and assisting people as and when we have the capability.

Few creatures in this world, then, represent the spiritual importance of keeping our hearts open to the pain and suffering of others.

Not only can it help us to be more empathetic, but it can help us to be more grateful for the things we have in life.

Are Rollie Pollies Good Luck?

In many parts of spiritual culture, creatures like the pill bug can be seen as good luck totems.

This makes sense since we often see change and transformation in life as something that requires luck to succeed.

After all, as noted above, the pill bug is often closely associated with concepts of good luck and well-being.

If we need good luck to make changes and succeed in life, then it stands to reason that the pill bug can offer that same opportunity.

However, they also symbolize ensuring we move forward in life without worry.

They help us to remove our fear and trepidation around a situation: seeing a pill bug is a sign that you should be ready and willing to move on. To take on new challenges – and yes, even to fail.

For many people, the pill bug – or rollie pollie – is a sign of fortitude and good luck.

These little creatures survive all manner of environmental challenges to get through life. They even have their method of ensuring they can survive the odds in a tough encounter.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to evaluating the spiritual meaning of pill bugs, there are many different perspectives to look at.

Very few creatures, though, hold such a diverse range of meanings!

From their importance of nature and their connection to the coming rain to their symbolism in regard to creativity and perseverance, the pill bug is a spiritual ally for many humans.

They are associated with so many aspects of nature, and the human condition that is connected with them is easy.

For that reason, many people view the pill bug as an essential part of our spiritual journey through life.

Given how Native American cultures, in particular, revere them, it is easy to see why.

READ THIS NEXT:

Potato Bug Spiritual Meaning

Healing Touch vs Reiki

What is significant about the number 23?