Well Spotted!

 My post about the ladybird on Sunday generated some interesting comments. Bushlady reminded me that across The Pond, they are ladybugs and Marit in Norway said they are marihøne. Further investigation revealed that in Germany they are marienkäfer. These last two -roughly translated Mary's hen and Mary's beetle show the medieval link with the Virgin Mary, often referred to as our Lady. But where did this link with the Mother of Jesus start? 

One idea is that the markings of the seven-spot ladybirds [very common in the UK and Europe] were signs of the "Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys" of Mary

By the medieval period in the West (from 10thC), there was a renewed interest in influences from Byzantine art. And this led to the use of blue lapis lazuli for Mary’s clothing, especially her mantle. At the same time, red also became associated with Mary, For example, almost all of the artwork of Mary by Raphael (one of the most notable artists in the 16th century, depicts her clothed in red, with a blue mantle - see left.)  And the 15th century master, Leonardo da Vinci, also often painted Mary in a red robe and blue mantle.

Then I discovered that in Sweden the creature is called Jungfru Marias Nycltelpiga, meaning 'the Lady Mary's keybearer,' and this relates to a children's story that the Virgin lost the keys of heaven, and that all the animals helped her to look for them. They were found by the ladybird, to whose care they are now entrusted. All quite fascinating! 

Ladybird, ladybird fly away home

Your house is on fire and your children are gone

All but the youngest and her name is Anne

And she has crept under the frying pan

I'm sure many of you learned a version of that rhyme as children - there are many variations [different pans, and in the north of England, it is occasionally not Anne, but John] As in Arthur Rackham's charming illustration, if a ladybird flew onto my hand,I would say the rhyme then gently blow the insect away as my grandmother taught me. [She was a Nonconformist, so no stories from her about the BVM though]

As E. commented, ladybirds are very useful - and one can consume 5000 aphids in a lifetime. I love this chart from BBC Wildlife showing all the different sorts of ladybirds we may find in Britain - not just the trad seven spot scarlet beauty.

Definitely looking again at the ladybirds now