In Europe, during the Middle Ages, swarms of insects were destroying the crops. The farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon thereafter the Ladybugs came, devouring the plant-destroying pests and saving the crops! The farmers called these beautiful insects "The Beetles of Our Lady", and - over time - they eventually became popularly known as "Lady Beetles". The red wings were said to represent the Virgin's cloak and the black spots were symbolic of both her joys and her sorrows.
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I have never heard of this story before. Today we went through the Christmas store and were looking at ornaments. One was a ladybug, I thought it was pretty cute. Attached to it was a little card telling this story.
1 comment:
I always wondered where that name came from.
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