In myths and legends fireflies have been used to represent the struggle between good and evil, and portray the battle between generosity and envy. Their ability to produce flashes of light has been related to their capacity to guide in the darkness and symbolically with the spiritual force that transcends the material dimension.
Biologically, the light emitted by the bodies of fireflies serves as a mechanism to attract mates. The sequence with which they emit light generates a dialogue among them that does not stop until they reproduce. When they feel threatened, they interrupt their courtship dance by preventing the production of light.
The chemical reaction by which they produce light and the dialogue that they must establish makes me reflect on the importance of dialogue in human relationships, as well as the leading role it plays in bringing about social and political change. Moreover, the ability of the insect to turn off its light when they feel threaten, allows me to draw an analogy between the effects of fear in the search of freedom and how it can obstruct creative efforts to achieve change. Finally, its flashes of light seem to invite us to follow a path out of darkness.
Biologically, the light emitted by the bodies of fireflies serves as a mechanism to attract mates. The sequence with which they emit light generates a dialogue among them that does not stop until they reproduce. When they feel threatened, they interrupt their courtship dance by preventing the production of light.
The chemical reaction by which they produce light and the dialogue that they must establish makes me reflect on the importance of dialogue in human relationships, as well as the leading role it plays in bringing about social and political change. Moreover, the ability of the insect to turn off its light when they feel threaten, allows me to draw an analogy between the effects of fear in the search of freedom and how it can obstruct creative efforts to achieve change. Finally, its flashes of light seem to invite us to follow a path out of darkness.
En mitos y leyendas la luciérnaga ha sido utilizada para representar la lucha entre el bien y el mal, y entre la generosidad y la envidia La capacidad de su cuerpo de emitir destellos de luz se ha relacionado con su capacidad de guía ante la oscuridad e inclusive simbolizar la vida espiritual que trasciende lo material. Biológicamente, la luz que emiten los cuerpos de las luciérnagas funcionan como un mecanismo para el cortejo entre la hembra y el macho. La secuencia con la que emiten los destellos de luz genera un diálogo entre éstos que no se detiene hasta lograr su apareamiento. Cuando ellas se sienten amenazadas interrumpen su danza de cortejo desactivando su luz. El mecanismo químico por que el que las luciérnagas encienden su lucecita y el diálogo que se debe establecer entre el macho y la hembra a partir de destellos de luz me remite a la importancia del diálogo en las relaciones humanas y en la colectividad, así como el carácter protagónico que el diálogo cobra en el impulso de cambios sociales y políticos. Más aún, la capacidad del insecto de apagar su luz ante la percepción de una amenaza, me permite establecer una analogía con los efectos del miedo ante la búsqueda de la libertad y cómo éste puede truncar esfuerzos creativos en pro del avance en procesos individuales y colectivos. Por último, su tintineo de luz pareciera invitarnos a seguir un camino para salir de la oscuridad. |