Not Quite the Luck o' the Irish

Remember when spotting a ladybug meant good luck? When it was a treat to find one of these rare beetles, and their stark beauty was revered? When counting its spots, singing songs, and making up fairy tales were common place?

Long gone are the days when these infamous creatures were looked at with anything but annoyance, disgust, and pure, unadulterated hatred. I cringe when I see these monsters, now, and force myself to surpress the gag reflex when I see them lined up on the windowsill in my office, crawling on top of one another, stealthily avoiding their dead, overturned kin. Currently, I have 21 of these little nasties co-habitating with me... not counting the one that dive-bombed me a few minutes ago who was promptly crushed and tossed in the garbage can to think about what it did.

Evidently, there are some places in the world where ladybugs have yet to be met with contempt:

In Sweden, folks believe that if a ladybug lands on a young maiden's hand, she will soon be getting married.
(If I lived in Sweden, it would appear that I'd "soon be getting married" four times already just today.)

If you find a ladybug in your house, count the number of spots and that is how many dollars you will soon receive.
(What about if you find one in your office? Because I could handle that. Let's say the average ladybug has seven spots..... 21x7...... I can call off tomorrow.)

In England, finding a ladybug means that you will have a good harvest.
(In Indiana, finding a ladybug means that you live in the middle of a harvest... probably.)

In France, if you are sick and a ladybug lands on you, when it flies away, it will take the sickness with it.
(I see London, I see France, I can see your underpants.)

If a ladybug has more than seven spots, then there will be a famine. If it has less than seven, there will be a good harvest.
(If one more ladybug buzzes past my head today, I will start blowing things up.)

At one time, doctors would mash up ladybugs and put them in a cavity to cure a toothache.
(That is the most disgusting. thing. ever.)

Some people believe that the number of spots on a ladybug indicates how many children you will have.
(Let's say the average ladybug has seven spots....... 21x7...... I'd *better* call off tomorrow.)

If you find a ladybug in your house in the winter you will have good luck.
(What about in your office? 21-times worth of good luck....... maybe the College will close down tomorrow and I won't have to call off.)

Sad to find that this post was lacking in ladybug folklore? Do you just need more beetle facts? Looking to procrastinate at work? Here are some interesting ladybug facts that you might want to check out. You can find some of the songs and fairy tales I mentioned earlier here.