Some people believe that seeing a praying mantis is a sign from God or brings good luck. Find out what it means to see a praying mantis.
What Does It Mean When You See a Praying Mantis?
What does it mean to you to see a praying mantis? Seeing a praying mantis can serve as a lesson to be calm, quiet, and aware. An bug that can turn its head all the way around to look at you more closely is pretty mysterious.
If you are from a certain culture, seeing a praying mantis can either mean good luck or bad luck. In fact, the praying mantis is the state bug of Connecticut. Find out more about what these plant bugs mean.
Praying or Preying?
A praying mantis is what most people call any type of mantid. The name of these bugs comes from the way they hold their long front legs together in front of them, making them look like hands prayed over.
However, because it eats meat, the praying mantis is also sometimes called a “preying mantis.” The bug, butterfly, grasshopper, and spider that this insect eats are all prey. Tree frogs can be eaten by tropical species. Hummingbirds? A praying mantis might eat them.
The front legs are made to catch prey, and the animal can reach far to catch a target. A praying mantis likes to be alone and still, keeping a close eye on things. It moves slowly and carefully, hiding in the plants around your flowers to look for bugs to eat.
People who garden or farm will tell you that the praying mantis is a welcome and helpful bug because it eats pests that can hurt plants and crops.
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Is a Praying Mantis Good Luck?
They believe that seeing a praying mantis is a sign of good luck.
Indians think that the bug existed before people and Earth were made. In carvings, paintings, writings, and holy symbols, the bug is used as a symbol. The bugs stand for money, success, big families, and the circle of life.
People see the praying mantis as a sign of reflection and deep thought because it moves quietly. In China, people have long admired the bug for moving slowly and carefully. It only moves when it is sure that doing so is the right thing to do.
A praying mantis is a sign of fall in Japan. The bug is often shown with gourds and mums, which are common at this time of year.
In both China and Japan, the insect that looks weak is a symbol of military power and bravery because it always moves forward to advance and never backs down.
Is This Insect a Bad Omen?
The praying mantis can also mean something bad. In some countries, seeing one is a bad sign or even a bit scary because the female often eats her mate.
In an important song by Ogden Nash, the bug is pictured as a character who eats meat and smiles green.
Because of these traits, a praying mantis may also be a sign of bad luck. In Italy, a praying mantis might be seen as scary—one bad look can make you feel sick. In Japan, these bugs might even be able to tell when you’ll die.
Spiritual Meaning
With its “hands clasped in prayer,” the praying mantis seems to be a spiritual being. Some people see a praying mantis as a spiritual sign to think and reflect, and as a warning to always keep their eyes on God. A few people even believe that praying mantises can bring signs from higher beings. People have also called these bugs “praying nuns” because some of them look like they have nun hats on their heads.
In early Christian religious symbols, people believed that praying mantises could tell the future.
In Celtic folklore and symbolism, the praying mantis can mean different things. The bug can stand for faith, prayer, and being brave and persistent.
Greece and Egypt in the past thought of the praying mantis as a spirit that could help people find their way in life or death.
The praying mantis is a Buddhist symbol for patience and persistence. Being a predatory bug is a good example of how to stay calm and focused.
Shaolin monks came up with a way to defend themselves as a way to stay safe. The way they fight with their hands is a lot like how praying mantises move.