There are believed to be more than 2,000 different species of earwig, which are classed together as a family of insects known as Dermaptera.
This translates to ‘ear insect/beetle’ from the Greek language.
A nocturnal creature that hides in cracks, occasionally swarms, and sheds numerous times throughout their lives, earwigs hold a lot of spiritual importance.
Keep on reading to find out what earwigs are a sign of and their spiritual meaning.
As, for some cultures, the spiritual sign or message is a negative one; but for others, they’re a sign of good luck, transformation, and using resources wisely.
Earwigs Symbolism
Once upon a time, earwigs were believed to crawl into the ears of humans.
Making themselves comfortable and then laying eggs either in the ear or in the brain – hence the name ‘earwig’.
Thankfully, this isn’t true.
There have been cases of earwigs found in human ears, but the insects have found their way there by mistake, and they don’t lag eggs.
Despite the myth being busted, the symbolism prevails.
The idea of the earwig crawling into the ear and leaving eggs has links to a message being whispered into your ear… and not a good one.
Read the spiritual meaning of a daddy long legs.
Earwigs Spiritual Meaning
The earwig is linked to a wide range of spiritual meanings and associations, including the delivery of bad news. These include:
- Transformation and change;
- Protection;
- Resourcefulness;
- Smart thinking;
- Inner strength;
- Boosted creativity;
- Adaptability;
- A need for self-nurturing;
- And more.
Read the spiritual meaning of a wall gecko in the house.
Spiritual Meaning of Earwigs in the House
An earwig in the house is fairly common in some parts of the world.
If you see a few of them, it might be time to check for an infestation before you first resort to seeing them as spiritual messages.
If there is no infestation but you still keep noticing earwigs around your home, in your dreams, and/or while you’re out and about, it’s time to start looking at the spiritual meaning of the repeated sighting.
Read the spiritual meaning of a ladybug in the house.
What Are Earwigs a Sign Of? 9 Messages and Meanings
Earwigs are a sign of many different things, depending on which part of the world you ask. Some spiritualists link the creature to positive messages and meanings, but other cultures and tribes will attach a negative association to it.
1) Total Transformation
Juvenile earwigs look quite different from their adult counterparts, and they’re said to shed at least five times throughout their lives.
Because of this, they are a clear and obvious sign of change and transformation, similar to the metamorphosis meaning of caterpillars and butterflies.
We all change, evolve, and grow (hopefully) as we mature, but the earwig is a sign of absolute change – in a spiritual, physical, emotional, or other state.
Seeing one as you go about your day might mean that you’re on the cusp of a spiritual awakening, opening your eyes to a bad relationship or situation, or even overhauling yourself on a physical or emotional level.
Read the spiritual meaning of a praying mantis in the house.
2) A Sign of Protection
For some cultures, seeing an earwig is a symbol of protection.
Bad things might come your way, but you’ll get through them, relatively unscathed, because the universe essentially has your back.
This is actually more to do with YOU having the power or resources to get through the situation.
The universe does have your back, yes; but only because the universe also knows that you have what it takes to make it through.
3) A Connection to Witches
Travel back in time to when witches were literally burned at the stake, and you’ll be right in the midst of full spider fear.
This was especially the case in Europe, where the presence of an earwig also meant the presence of something evil, such as a witch, nearby.
Now, we all know that witches aren’t evil. (Not all of them, anyway.) But back in those dark days, witches were seen as truly awful, monstrous beings – and that’s why they were burned at the stake.
To this day, people still believe that earwigs mean the presence of either witches or evil spirits.
4) Negative Energies
Earwigs are drawn to places that are damp and dark, which could be an indication that you have dark, negative, unpleasant energies or auras in or around your home.
You might even be the one harboring a bunch of negative energy!
Seeing any creature that’s normally associated with places that we humans would describe as unpleasant is likely to bring a message that is just as unpleasant.
That’s not always the case, of course, but many critters like earwigs come with spiritual meanings of negativity and negative energies.
Has someone new recently arrived in your life?
Maybe it’s a new friend, work colleague, or love interest? Someone might be sprinkling their negativity all over you… or vice versa.
Read the spiritual meaning of a millipede in the house.
5) You’ve Got the Power
Earwigs don’t look dangerous or harmful at all. They’re small, they don’t have a stinger, and their pincers are so small that they rarely do humans any damage.
That doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous, though – or powerful.
Swarms of these creatures have wreaked havoc over the years, and although they’re not commonly classed as a pest or nuisance, large populations of them can decimate crops and other plants.
They might not look harmful, but they sure do have the potential to be.
Seeing or dreaming of earwigs could be a sign that you need to start looking inwards at your own power.
You have it; you do. The universe knows it, I know it, and you’ll hopefully know it now, too.
6) A Time of Great Change
As well as being associated with transformation, the humble earwig is also seen as a sign of big changes ahead.
This can be both a good thing and a bad thing.
In order for things to get better, changes need to happen. Nothing changes if nothing changes, right?
At the same time, though, change can bring bad things, like the end of employment, a relationship, a friendship, or even your faith.
Sadly, we can’t always avoid the bad changes.
One door must close for another to open, as the old saying goes. And to quote another saying (from my grandmother): Things always get worse before they get better.
7) A Boost to Your Creativity
In some spiritual circles, seeing an earwig is a good sign because it means their creativity will be boosted.
This is, therefore, a great spiritual sign for artists, writers, dancers, musicians, and other people in the artistic industry.
Alongside a boost to creativity, earwigs are also seen as a sign for personal expression.
Maybe it’s time to switch up your style, dye your hair a different color, or change to vegetarianism.
Something inside you is calling for you to use this burst of creative inspiration!
8) It’s Time to Nurture *Yourself*
How much of your time do you dedicate to other people? When was the last time you did anything for yourself or self-care?
If it’s been too long, it’s time to get that self-care regime back on track.
If you don’t take care of you, you’re not going to have the energy or the capacity to help other people.
That aside, you should take care of you because you want to, too.
Make time for yourself, whether that’s having a glass of wine and watching the sun go down, enjoying a bath that lasts for an hour or more, or just sitting and reading a book uninterrupted.
You deserve that time. I know you don’t believe it, but you do!
9) A Loss of Control
Dreaming of or seeing earwigs could be a sign of a loss of control, such as:
- Having a relationship with a controlling partner;
- Not getting promoted when you should’ve done;
- Or someone getting the upper hand over you.
At the same time, all of these meanings can be flipped around.
Perhaps it is you who is the controlling one?
It’s not something that any of us would willingly admit, but the universe isn’t afraid to hold a mirror up and show you your own flaws.
Also read the spiritual meaning of maggots in the house.
Why Are There Earwigs in My Bed? Spiritual Meaning
Finding any kind of insect in your bed is never a pleasant experience, but finding an earwig, with its little pinchers, is probably one of the worst.
You are likely to feel uncomfortable, itchy, anxious, and as though your safe haven has been violated. This could be a sign of things to come.
Violations can come in many forms, such as:
- Someone reading your personal journal;
- Burglars breaking into your home/car;
- Someone hugging you when you don’t want them to.
Another potential spiritual meaning behind finding one or more earwigs in your bed is receiving a message of bad news that is likely to hit you personally.
Are Earwigs a Bad Spiritual Sign?
Earwigs can be both a positive and a negative spiritual sign.
You must take all aspects of the dream or situation into account before coming up with a finished interpretation.
How do you feel about earwigs? Are you fearful of them? Intrigued by them? A big fan of them? Your personal views will play a huge role, but so will other things going on, such as the weather, other animals and/or people, and more.
Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. I write about my spiritual experiences to help all those who go through the same.