[Art] Orchid Mantis as Totem

[moonvoice]

Orchid Mantis as Totem

The orchid mantis, or orchid praying mantis is found throughout Malaysian, Indonesian and Sumatran rainforests. They are coloured to resemble orchids (and their four walking legs are shaped like orchid petals), the most common being a pale white or pink in colour. The young nymphs appear like ants. The orchid mantis, like many mantids, will eat anything it can catch. However, orchid mantids have also been observed eating banana. Like many in the mantid family, it can be extremely vicious.





Orchid Mantis as a totem can represent: (Not an exhaustive list)

Rainforest wisdom, getting yourself into sticky situations, perfect timing, being a predator to get what you want, ruthlessness combined with great beauty, viciousness, the value of camouflage, self-defense, using stillness to your advantage, cultivating patience.

Original AVAILABLE - $75 USD
18.5 x 20.5cm (or 7.4 x 8 in)
illo's board, fineliner, aquarelle, pencil, metallic and iridescent paint

Comments

[lupabitch.livejournal.com]

Mantis looks strangely gleeful. O HAI I CAN EAT YOU NAO? The energy of this piece resonates very strongly, though, in all seriousness.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Lol, 'hold still a minute while I just reach out and grab you and eat you.'

I love praying mantises of all kinds, but oddly, I didn't connect to this one at *all,* so I'm glad other people are. I think I have a 'non-connect' to Orchid Mantis.

[unknownbinaries.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite critters. I wish I had the cash. :/

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it, sorry you don't have the cash though! *hugs*

[makhsihed.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee mantis!

Oddly, though I adore mantids and feel connected to them, I don't feel much of a connection to this one. The orchid variety really isn't my thing.

But it's preeeetty! And definitely is all "OM NOM NOM YOUR FACE".

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Oddly, though I adore mantids and feel connected to them, I don't feel much of a connection to this one. The orchid variety really isn't my thing.

I'm the same. Yet a couple of people have gone 'ZOMG,' which is... I really love how animals are able to do that. :)

[vyxen.livejournal.com]

Outstanding! Looking at this woke me right up! heehee

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yay! :D

[witchchild]

Mmmm, rainforest energy.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

:D Pink rainforest energy!

[witchchild]

Mmhmmmm! I am so glad I have my brain back from school so it can be claimed by FUN energy.

[scarletwildfire.livejournal.com]

OMG impressively mantis like, and yet it's got a side of alien. Teehee. I likey!

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yay :D

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

Oooh, pretty.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Eee, thank you. :)

[ariestess]

Wow! That is so pretty! I like the coloring on this one, how background and foreground match so damned well...

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :D

[sidheblessed.livejournal.com]

I love how pretty this is! It's not everyday you see a mantis shown off for being pretty. :)

[cubwub.livejournal.com]

first of all, i wanted to really thank you for these icons. i've enjoyed your art for a while now, but at a safe distance. i'm happy you allowed some for free use.

second of all, once my sister sent me this picture and told me it reminded her of me. i felt like she was revealing herself to me but wasn't ready for my lesson. i passed it by now and feel a very strong connection with this totem; i read the meaning and am baffled. i have a lot of rainforest spirits, it comes to no surprise i'd be presented with rainforest wisdom; thank you for posting this.