Butterflies

A butterfly is seen as the personification of a person's soul.
However, large numbers of butterflies are viewed as bad omens.
The Russian word for "butterfly", бабочка (bábochka), also means "bow tie". It is a diminutive of "baba" or "babka" (= woman, grandmother, cake, whence also "babushka" = "grandmother").
The Ancient Greek word for "butterfly" is ψύχη, which primarily means "soul", "mind".
In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth into a new life after being inside a cocoon for a period of time.
Some people say that when a butterfly lands on you it means good luck.




Dragonflies

In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. Some English vernacular names, such as "devil's needle" and "ear cutter", link them with evil or injury.
Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people's souls.
In some South American countries, dragonflies are also called matacaballo (horse killer), or caballito del diablo (devil's horse), since they were perceived as harmful, some species being quite large for an insect.
For some Native American tribes they represent swiftness and activity, and for the Navajo they symbolize pure water.It is said in some Native American beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship.
In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength and happiness. In ancient mythology, Japan was known as Akitsushima, which means "Land of the Dragonflies".
Vietnamese people have a traditional way to forecast rain by seeing dragonflies.




Ladybugs

The Ladybug is associated with spirituality and religious devotion. The Ladybug's red wings are said to represent the Virgin's cloak and the black spots her joys and sorrows.
The Ladybug is widely considered a symbol of luck and is seen as a good omen when it comes calling.
In Sweden, it is said that if one lands on a young woman's hand, she will soon get married.
In France, it is said that if you are ill when one lands on you, it will fly away with your illness.
Ladybugs are also considered to be symbols of fire and the Sun.



Enjoy!