Coccinellidae: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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Coccinellids have had important roles in culture and religion, being associated with luck, love, fertility and prophecy. "Ladybird" is an affectionate term for someone, such as a loved one. In [[European folklore]], an insect acts as a matchmaker, crawling on a woman and then flying to their true love. Coccinellids have been said to predict the future, particularly weather conditions and how well the crops will grow.{{sfn|Majerus|2016|pp=5–7}}<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Barševska, Z. |author2=Barševskis, A. |year=2016 |title=A ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) motif in croched towel end lace: the first example of cultural entomology in Latvia. |journal=Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp. |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=151–154 |url=https://du.lv/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/4_Barsevska.pdf}}</ref>

In Christianity, coccinellids have been seen as the literal gatekeepers of Heaven. A Swedish name for the insects, ''Himmelska nycla'', means "Keys of Heaven". Jews have referred to the insects as the "Cow of [[Moses]] our Teacher". The [[Cherokee]] have revered them as the "Great Beloved Woman"; this was used as a title for the highest ranking woman in the government, who would be painted in the colours and patterns of the insect during ceremonies.{{sfn|Majerus|2016|pp=3–4}}

Coccinellids have been popularly featured in poems and [[nursery rhyme]]s, the most famous being ''[[Ladybird Ladybird|Ladybird! Ladybird!]]''. This has come in several forms, including:{{sfn|Majerus|2016|p=8}}