Blog Post

Animal Superstitions

Oct 03, 2020

Animal Myths & Superstitions

Earth is home to a lengthy list of beautiful and unique creatures. Sometimes, their outlandish features and behaviors are unsettling or downright confusing to humans. As a natural response, we seek to explain the unimaginable by developing scientifically impossible superstitions that lack critical information. Even though they are often irrational or unfounded, these superstitions persist, handed down from generation to generation. The origins of animal superstitions range from simple symbolic omens to hilariously absurd traditions. Taking a look at our evolving views on the animal kingdom's fascinating members is a fantastic way to honor our animal co-inhabitants and embrace the Halloween spirit.

Positive Superstitions
Many unassuming insects, such as crickets and dragonflies, are believed to bring good luck. In particular, ladybugs were thought to relieve illnesses, while the number of spots on their back dictated how many happy months lay ahead. There are even events dedicated to celebrating and glorifying certain species. Japan's summertime firefly festivals celebrate fireflies as the souls of dead warriors. Similarly, seafarers believed that albatrosses, which habitually flew alongside ships at sea, housed the spirits of drowned sailors and brought good fortune. Terrible luck ensued upon killing one, and the term "an albatross around one's neck" means "to carry a terrible burden." In 1959, a caged albatross on board an ill-fated cargo ship was blamed for a crew-wide strike prompted by insufferable conditions.

Thanks to their admirable work habits, bees are often associated with productivity and creativity. In Greek folklore, a bee landing on one's head meant they would have success in life, while a bee touching the lips of a child deemed them a future poet. A central European tradition instructed brides to test their future husbands' fidelity by leading him past a beehive. Being stung indicated that he would not remain faithful. Throughout history, bees have been uncharacteristically humanized. They were spoken to gently and politely as if members of the family. They were also informed of upcoming funerals and weddings during which their hives were decorated and presented with a piece of cake.

Harmful Superstitions
To the dismay of animal lovers everywhere, some superstitions can be harmful to the creatures they reference. Frequently, these judgments are based on shallow observations. For instance, people are more likely to distrust animals they find ugly or weird. Such is the case with the funny-looking anteater. When they were first discovered in Europe, the natives came up with bizarre theories for their appearance. Since the physical differences between genders only exist internally, some believed that anteaters were female and mated with their noses. Their strange features even inspired eccentric artists such as Salvador Dali. Though the more outlandish superstitions have died out, many people still view giant anteaters as tricksters who bring bad luck to those who cross their path. Consequently, they have suffered beatings and harassment from natives fueled by misunderstanding. In actuality, anteaters are far from negative omens. By eating up to 30,000 insects a day (including termites), they perform a vital role as pest controllers. When people have little knowledge of an animal's behavior, they're likely to fill in the blanks with folk belief. Educating locals about animals' biology and behavior who share their land can motivate positive attitudes that benefit conservation efforts rather than hinder them.

Superstitions Involving Pests
Due to their proximity to humans, it's no surprise that many household pests end up being superstition subjects. For instance, numerous superstitions across many cultures address the prevention of mosquito bites. To hold off a mosquito's bite for an entire year, eat green vegetables on Maundy Thursday. Similarly, making your bed on new hay during harvest prevents mosquitos from biting at all. Ironically, the British colonizing Somalia in the 1850s ignored (tragically) the local belief that mosquitoes spread malaria because they deemed it a mere superstition.

Despite striking arachnophobes with paralyzing fear, spiders are mostly associated with positive outcomes. Tiny spiders of the Linyphiidae family are known as money spiders and signal financial luck. English tradition says that if one crawls across your palm, you'll soon come into money. As symbols of good health, fortune, and cleanliness, some cultures deem it egregious to kill a spider—unless you apologize profusely to it before carrying out the dastardly deed. In Vietnam, some believe that your soul leaves the body while you sleep, transforming into a spider.

Supposedly, ants provide homeowners with hints about positive and negative events involving wealth and luck. Roaming Black Ants are a sign of an incoming rise in riches, while Red Ants bring bad luck. Ant trails also demonstrate directional indicators. Those from the North foretell happiness, while routes from the South indicate profit. East means you might hear negative news, while West predicts high chances for traveling abroad.

Separating Reality From Superstition
Despite what many superstitions would lead you to believe, pests won't bring you good luck or predict misfortune. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean you should flat-out ignore them. Pests can cause very tangible problems, such as the spread of disease or causing structural damage to buildings. When attempting to attract mates, the Deathwatch Beetle bangs its head against walls. Though the disembodied tapping noise may not foreshadow death as the myths like to claim, the presence of such insects does forewarn of potential harm to wooden structures. If you find yourself with a pest problem, call a professional exterminator to handle it right away. Contact Delta Pest Control today to make your pest problems as unreal as fictional superstitions.

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