Miscellaneous Multipedal Mixture Quiz

Answer: Ants

Whilst most see the hard-working ants as a positive sign, others view their tireless efforts as too much.

Ants also feature in world myth, of which the ant-lion is an interesting example. Accounts of these creatures are rare, but their origins seem to lie either in the Navajo tribe or the Ashaninka tribe of Peru. Said to be born to a male lion and a female ant, the ant-lion was usually depicted with the head of its father and the body of its mother. Due to the large difference between its parents' dietary habits, there was originally said to be no prey suitable for the ant-lion, which would therefore quickly die after birth. This detail was later adapted and the ant-lions became known as cannibalistic creatures. This cannibalistic quality was later linked to the larvae of a certain group of insects, which were thus named "antlions".

Answer: The cicada

The Greeks viewed the cicada as a symbol of music and poetry, and this is reflected in the role it played in the tale of Eunomis. It is told that the great harpist broke one of his strings during a musical contest, but the cicada provided the lost note, allowing Eunomis to be victorious in the contest.

The Chinese also held the cicada in high regard, viewing it as a sign of immortality. The reasons for this were most likely due to the shrivelled appearance of the insect (giving it an ancient look) and the fact that their nymphs emerge from the soil fully grown, giving the impression that they are reborn from where they were buried.

Answer: Leaving via the chimney

The cricket, perhaps more than any other insect, has been surrounded by superstitions which stem from many ancient cultures. Many of these superstitions are also contradictory. For example, it is thought in much of Europe that it is good luck to have a cricket in your home, whereas in Brazil a black cricket in your room signals illness (whereas grey crickets suggest money and green ones suggest hope).

In those countries which consider the cricket's presence lucky, it is considered a sign of poor hospitality to force the cricket to leave and it is said that bad luck will fall on any person who kills a cricket whilst it is in their home.

Answer: Dragonflies

The negative image of the dragonflies in North America is not consistent, as some tribes associate it with speed and power (positive qualities).

The odd appearance of the dragonfly has led many to claim that they were "sent by the devil", and their habit of following snakes around also lumber them the negative associations that the serpents carry.

In some parts of the world dragonflies are referred to as the Devil's darning needles. In Japan, the insect is associated with military victory.

Answer: Locust

It was said that locusts were attracted to riches, and so sending a man out of the village with some riches was intended to divert the locusts' path and protect the remaining resources of the village. If the man returned, it was feared that the locusts would also return, and so the penalty for return was death.

The grasshopper (a relative of the locust) is seen as a more positive symbol around the world, such as in China where it is linked with fertility.

Answer: Ladybug (ladybird)

The ladybug (or ladybird) has earned its positive image by ridding gardens of pests such as aphids.

Many view the ladybird as an beautiful creature and it is said to be bad luck in some cultures to kill one.

The dietary habits of the ladybug have also led to it becoming affiliated with the Virgin Mary. It is said that the seven (typically) spots on a ladybug's back represent the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the insects were sent by Our Lady to rid crops of pests.

Answer: The moth

There are several links between the qualities of a moth and the cultural beliefs of life after death. For example, both the moth and the soul are delicate, both are associated with the night, and both seek light.

In areas of South America, moths are associated with the souls of the dead who are revisiting the Earth. In these parts, it is believed that the presence of a white moth in the home is the sign of a late family member, and so you must treat it hospitably.

Answer: The wasp

The wasp is another creature whose status varies considerably in cultures across the globe. Whilst being seen as wise, strong and industrious creatures in Central and South America, wasps were thought as evil in ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. This is seen in contrast to their relatives, the bees, who, although possessing a similar sting, produce honey and so were favoured in both ancient Egypt and Greece.

Answer: The centipede

In Japanese folklore, it is said that a centipede will stab you in the back. Their negative image is perhaps founded on their horrifying, alien-like appearance. It was also claimed in Japan that centipedes were "impure" and associated with death and decay.

There are some interesting accounts of warriors who battled with giant centipedes in Japanese folklore, such as the story Tawara Toda who killed one of these mythical giants in order to save King Ryujin.

Answer: The spider

Known as the "spider woman", this elderly lady was said to "weave" all parts of existence together and created the different "tribes" (probably referring to the races of the world) using 4 types of clay - red, yellow, white and black. These Native American tribes believe that all life is connected to the spider woman and she is therefore regarded as the Creator.