2006-07-22 09:47:29 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The most common species of ladybird in Britain is the seven-spot ladybird. This bright red ladybird has seven spots and is thought to have inspired the name ladybird: "Lady" referring to the Virgin Mary (Our lady) who in early paintings is seen wearing a red cloak; the seven spots are symbolic of the seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary.
2006-07-22 10:05:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
LADYBIRD~n : small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests [syn: ladybug, ladybeetle, lady beetle, ladybird beetle]
It is possible that the word Ladybird was exchanged for Ladybug, in the American version of the nursery rhyme, due the word association with Firebug meaning an arsonist or pyromaniac. The first publication date was 1865 and the word ladybird was used as opposed to ladybug. There has been some speculation that this Nursery Rhyme originates from the time of the Great Fire of London in 1666
2006-07-22 10:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by miss_hgl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The name ladybird arises from the vernacular name for the common 7-Spot Ladybird(Coccinella 7 punctata) in Europe. Our Lady's Bird, the Lady in this case being "The Virgin Mary",from Christian Mythology. The red base color of the elytra is said to represent her cloak and the 7 black spots to represent the 'Virgins' 7 joys and 7 sorrows. Relating Ladybirds to the Virgin Mary is not unusual, in 1991, Dr.A.W.Exell published his book "History of the Ladybird" in which he cites 329 common names for the Ladybird from 55 countries, of which over 80 refer to the Virgin Mary and more than 50 are dedicated to God. Contrarily, one Italian name is "Galineta del Diaolo" or "The Devil's Chicken". Other names include Swedish "Himelska nyckla" or "The Keys of Heaven" and the Cherokee "Great Beloved Woman".
Hope that answers your question.
2006-07-22 10:09:46 · answer #3 · answered by STRETCH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ladybirds are so called because the markings on their body have a connection with the Virgin Mary, known more commonly as Our Lady in medieval times. Don't know where the birds bit come in, possibly because they fly??? Don't know why the usa/.canada refer to them as ladybugs - it sounds a very ugly description for what is a rather charming little creature!
2006-07-22 09:56:52 · answer #4 · answered by Raymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know them as ladybugs as well. Never heard of "ladybird" before. Oh well, I just found an article that enlightens the both of us; the name is thought to allude to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith.
2006-07-26 08:21:07 · answer #5 · answered by M'lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never thought of that. It must be so offensive for the menbirds to be called ladybirds.
2006-07-23 06:50:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What exactly is a ladybird then. Not being a smartmouth I really want to know?
2006-07-22 09:50:51 · answer #7 · answered by fishergirl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Irony
2006-07-26 06:46:44 · answer #8 · answered by ScarMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same thing could be asked about some women.They ain't birds and the certainly ain't ladies...they might ,however,be insects.
2006-07-22 09:51:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you talking about Ladybugs, which is what we refer to them in Canada?
2006-07-22 09:49:56 · answer #10 · answered by NVgirl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋