It’s that time of year again. Everyone’s thoughts are turning towards Christmas. Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, I hope you take a few minutes to do something nice for a loved one, someone in need, a pet, or even a bug.
Christmas wouldn't be complete without our non-human companions. Most of us have or have had pets that are/were considered part of the family. Even though shapes and sizes vary from our own, and the number of legs typically ranges from zero to four, we overlook our differences and cherish them equally.
Creatures blessed with six or eight legs should also be treated with the same consideration and respect. Granted, the lifespan of a spider, butterfly, bumblebee, or beetle may not be conducive to a long-term relationship, yet we can still include them in our holiday celebrations.
Don't forget, these noble critters have earned an honorable place in tales and legends dating back to the Middle Ages. Stories and folklore hold these critters in high regard, and we mustn't forget their brave deeds.
The Bugs That Saved Christmas Trees
In days of old, folks tromped through the bitter wind and snow to find the perfect Christmas tree. Once located, the tree was chopped down and carried back to the old homestead, where it would be decorated with homemade ornaments and strings of popcorn and berries.
A lot of times, unwelcomed guests, such as aphids and spiders, hitched a ride into the house as well. Initially, it was only the eggs. However, thanks to the cozy warmth from the fireplace, the eggs hatched, and hundreds of little bugs began exploring their new abode. Luckily, the invasion was short-lived since the little vermin couldn't live outside of their natural habitat for very long. Nonetheless, I'm sure it was a pain!
During the Middle Ages, there were no escaping the aphids that besieged the countryside. The devoutly religious folks asked the good Lord to help clear their forests and crops of the terrible pest. Finally, the farmers' pleas for relief were answered in the form of a small, yet voracious beetle that decimated the aphid population. The appreciative residents referred to these hungry predators as the insect sent by the Virgin Mary or "Our Lady's Bug." The bug's name was later shortened to ladybugs. At Christmas, thankful families showed their gratitude by creating ladybug-shaped decorations to adorn their trees.
Christmas Wasp
There is a folktale about the Christmas Wasp or the Wasp King. The Brothers Grimm tell of a farmer who tricked the Devil into sticking his hand into a wasp nest. The farmer convinced Satan it was a magical nest filled with the finest honeycomb. Unfortunately, instead of relaxing and enjoying a sweet treat, the Devil had to make haste back to his fiery domain to escape the multiple stings from the angry wasps.
After watching the Devil's hasty retreat, the farmer foolishly tried his luck by asking the wasp to grant him a favor. It didn't work. Nobody messes around with an angry wasp!
The legend lived on. Every Christmas, storytellers relayed the tale of the Wasp King wandering the countryside, randomly punishing anyone he deemed deserving. Children were warned to be good so the ill-tempered wasp wouldn't visit them.
On the night of the Winter Solstice, families baked cakes using dark rye and light wheat to symbolize the black and gold of the Christmas Wasp. The offerings were left outside to appease the stinging wanderer.
Different versions of the Christmas Wasp evolved throughout Europe and Great Britain. The English version tells of a family who kept wasps near at hand during the Christmas holiday to ward off a black, spectral dog that wandered their land. Anyone who saw the cursed dog was destined to die unless the dog could be driven away by the wasp's sting
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Did you know that candy canes originated from the Christmas Wasp legend? At first, they were striped in yellow and black but were eventually changed to the red and white we have today.
Christmas Spider
The legend of the Christmas Spider probably originated in western Ukraine as a folk story. As the tale became a part of their culture, families began to place tiny spider or web ornaments within the branches of a Christmas tree to bring them luck in the coming year.
Several versions of the legend exist, but they all have similar ties. In the first one, a widow and her children closely watch a pine tree that had taken root in the earthen floor of their hut. By the following winter, it had grown into a beautiful Christmas tree. However much the family loved the tree, they were sad. The pine tree stood undecorated since they had no money to buy ornaments. Then, on Christmas morning, they awoke to discover that a spider had been busily covering the tree with webs during the night. The morning light turned the delicate strands to silver and gold, and the family was filled with happiness and gratitude for all their blessings.
Another version tells of a peasant woman and a spider who gave gifts to one another. The woman allowed the spider's family to live among the branches of her Christmas tree, and the mother spider decorated the tree with glistening, shimmering webs.
Bees, Butterflies, and Dragonflies
No one can neglect butterflies and bees. Everybody loves these two graceful pollinators. Even in pre-modern days, oohs and aahs echoed through the hills as these insects buzzed or flitted about. Moreover, the butterfly has long been revered as a symbol of rebirth: i.e., the metamorphosis of a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly.
Bees have co-existed with humans for a long time, and many legends have sprung up over the ages about the close relationship between honeybees and humans. For example, the Celts regarded them as messengers between our world and the spirit world.
Honeybees symbolize virtues such as wisdom and love, and ornaments in their image are hung on a Christmas tree for good luck and prosperity.
As with the other insects, dragonflies also embody significant meanings for different cultures. For some, they symbolize good luck or prosperity. For others, dragonflies are seen as messengers between worlds. Oh yes, one more thing. In folklore, they punish naughty children.
Other bugs may not be as popular as the ladybug, butterfly, honey bee, or dragonfly. But some, like the jewel beetle, the Christmas beetle, Rainbow Flower Beetle, and the red and green leafhopper spread Christmas cheer with their bright, cheerful colors.
Jewel Beetle Christmas Beetle Rainbow Flower Beetle Red and Green Leafhopper
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! If you see a bug, wish it a happy holiday. You never know; it may become a legendary hero one of these days.
Before you go, please take a look at this cool video made in 1913 called The Insects' Christmas - https://youtu.be/e597f7gZANE
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