Ladybugs, which are members of the beetle family, come in a variety of colors, notably red, and are recognized by the distinctive dots on their oval-shaped hard bodies.
Even though the ladybug is a North American insect, its delicate and artistic appearance has made it popular In many cultures.
Some cultures believe seeing a ladybug brings good luck. Never kill a ladybug because doing so will bring bad luck.
Other cultures presume having a ladybug land on you brings good luck, or that whatever a ladybug lands on will be replaced with an improved version.
Feng shui, the art of arranging spaces for optimum flow of energy, often incorporates the ladybug symbol.
The ladybug's distinctive spots also contribute to the symbolism surrounding the insect.
In the Middle Ages, European Christian societies believed the beetle's spots represented the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
After the farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary to protect their crops, ladybugs supposedly appeared to defend the crops.
The farmers called the bugs "Beetles of Our Lady," which evolved into "ladybugs"