Home Invasion: Seeing a Cockroach in Your House Spiritual Meaning
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Very few creatures are as unwelcome and disliked by humans as cockroaches. Not only do we cringe at the mere sight of them, but we also go out of our way to exterminate them, or at least get rid of any that we encounter. However, most of us know very little about the messages that these crawlers carry.
There are a handful of significant symbolisms that may challenge our typically adverse view of these sneaky and cunning scavengers. A typically aloof yet occasionally aggressive critter that often finds the wrong end of our slippers, let’s creep into what it means when a cockroach pays us a house visit.
Key takeaways
- A cockroach appears in our home as an encouragement for us to remain resilient. Their presence tells us that we are capable of handling the most stressful situations, no matter how taxing and difficult. They urge us to tap into our strengths and work through our problems with great confidence.
- Coming across cockroaches in the house signifies a physical and spiritual infestation. They visit our homes to remind us that it may be time to go through a period of transformation and change. They guarantee that though it may be challenging at first, it ultimately benefits the household if such a renewal is embraced.
- Seeing a cockroach in the house indicates our uncertainties. As they naturally prefer to feed and live in the dark, several cultures see the cockroach as an unwelcome omen. They appear in our homes to tell us how we should accept our insecurities and use them as our motivation to be more persistent.
Cockroach in the house meaning
Endurance
Identified as one of the most durable insects we will ever encounter, cockroaches once shared our world with dinosaurs, as they are known to have existed since 200 million years ago. Known for having the ability to survive for days even with their head cut off, they scamper into our homes to inspire us to keep going through life even when the situation gets too difficult.
Persistence
Believed to be the only creatures that can survive a nuclear blast, cockroaches crawl into our houses to remind us how our homes benefit from hard work and perseverance. Their ability to survive anything represents our own household’s capacity to be flexible and resilient.
Awareness
While we often see them seemingly docile and passive only to wildly scurry as the sound of our footsteps approaches, a cockroach in the house warns us about the possible presence of risks and threats. They appear to prepare us for any adversity that may arrive and ensure that we won’t be taken by surprise.
Undesirable energy
Known to be nocturnal by nature, cockroaches thrive in dark and moist environments, particularly underneath or at the back of our home appliances. Seeing these creatures creeping around in our home during the day could be a sign of an infestation, which indicates that taxing and worrisome days are ahead.
Cockroach symbolism in different cultures
While a cockroach sighting often ensues an unpleasant slippers-wielding chase, there is surprisingly a handful of cultures that see them as more than just an unwelcome house guest. Recognized as a delectable and crunchy snack in countries such as Cambodia and Thailand, here are some of the countries where you can find cockroaches served for lunch.
Mexico
While beans, chili peppers, tortillas, and chorizos are Mexican cuisine staples, traveling to several regions in the country opens us to a world of baked tarantulas, chocolate-covered crickets, and cockroaches in sauces. Using a local species of cockroach collected solely for human consumption, finding an insect on your plate during a Mexican fiesta is as normal as watching children whack away at piñata.
Click to read more about animal symbolism in Mexico.
Brazil
Known for cooking up the world’s best barbecue meat, Brazil has played with the idea of boosting the food industry by literally adding an insect or two to the table. Currently baking bread out of cockroach flour, being a rich source of protein, and its ability to reduce the negative ecological effects of livestock are reasons enough to serve a bowl of cockroaches for lunch.
Ghana
As pesky cockroaches eventually find their way into their homes, the people of Ghana find it logical to catch and turn them into delicious and nutritious snacks. While it may not precisely be a Michelin five-star delicacy, its ability to provide a natural source of fats, oils, and proteins incites the people of this African nation to try cockroaches either baked, fried, or roasted.
Thailand
Strolling through Thailand’s streets often leads you to areas where a quick bite features bugs of different sizes and varieties. Typically cooked deep-fried, locals consume cockroaches as a crunchy treat that is best enjoyed with family and friends, a date, or a bottle of your favorite beer.
Germany
In German culture, the cockroach for sure had the biggest echo in Kafka’s novel: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: a novel written by Franz Kafka and first published in 1915, The Metamorphosis tells us the story of a salesman named Gregor Samsa, who one day wakes up to find out that he has transformed into a cockroach. Apart from the actions of his loving sister Greta, the story shows us how family members can easily abandon us once they see us as a burden. While it is not a novel that leaves you smiling once you’re done reading, it teaches us a lesson or two about betrayal and trust.
US culture
Naked Lunch by William Burroughs
The Naked Lunch is viewed by many as one of the most important novels of the 20th century. It tells us about the story of bug-killer Bill Lee and his addiction to the materials he uses to get rid of cockroaches. The story was crafted as a series of different scenarios, to be read in no particular order. A controversial and influential story that blurred the difference between art and obscenity, it is a must-read for those seeking to redefine their views about American culture.
