Many cultures view ladybirds as fortunate, and lots of legend surrounds these tiny and classily equipped insects. As frequently occurs with legend, it is really rather hard to ascertain why ladybirds came to be seen as fortunate.

One fascinating thing about ladybird legends is that these legends are so universal : typically, legends about living things are quite sundry, with varied cultures attaching different meanings to everything from black pussies to mirrors. The most probable reason for the general view that ladybirds are fortunate is their diet habits. Ladybirds eat damaging crop pests, so that the appearance of ladybirds would’ve been welcomed by farmers and gardeners.

In rural societies, it might have sounded right to venerate a favorable insect, inspiring folk to leave ladybirds alone so they could consume pests like aphids. The appearance of a ladybird would also have been seen as a blessing, which explains the positive associations with ladybirds in numerous cultures.

One of the commonest legends about ladybirds is the idea murdering a ladybird will bring down bad luck. This would support the assumption ladybird legends developed as a kind of protection for the ladybird population, guaranteeing the insects could travel unmolested. Many cultures also link the appearance of a ladybird with future luck in love, good weather, a finance windfall, or the granting of wishes. Having a ladybird land on you is presumably to be especially fortunate in some cultures, and a few people accept that when a ladybird lands on an object, that object will get replaced by a latest and greatest version.