ladybird

About

ladybird stuff

The name “ladybird" originated in the Middle Ages when the insects were known as the "beetle of Our Lady”. They were named after the Virgin Mary, who in early religious paintings was often shown wearing a red cloak. The spots of the seven spot ladybird were said to symbolise seven joys and seven sorrows. Common names in other European languages have the same association (the German name Marienkäfer translates to “Marybeetle" or ladybeetle). In the USA the name was Americanized to "ladybug".

—Ladybird: Etymology

'Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home

Your house is on fire and your children are gone.

All save the smallest, her name's Anne

And she's crept under the frying-pan'..