The Ladybug瓢虫
作者： 陈延洲A symbol of good luck
好运的象征
Ladybug symbolism2 is all about good luck， while killing a ladybug is consideredto bring bad luck around the globe.
If a ladybug lands on you， be careful not to brush3 it off. Stay very still and countthe spots4 on its body. The number of spots will tell you the number of months you willenjoy good luck. The stronger the color red is on the ladybug， the better your luck will be.
In some countries， people believe you get to make a wish if a ladybug lands onyour hand. The number of spots will be the same as the number of months （some sayyears） before your wish comes true. Keep your wish a secret， don’t tell anyone else whatit is. If you do， you just might become a jinx5.
In Iran the ladybug foretells6 that good news is coming your way.
在全世界，瓢虫都象征着好运，而杀死瓢虫被认为会带来厄运。
如果一只瓢虫落到你身上，小心不要把它掸走。待着别动，数数它身上的斑点。斑点的数量将告诉你有多少个月会有好运气。瓢虫身上的红色越深，你的运气就越好。
在一些国家，人们认为，如果瓢虫落在你的手上，你就可以许愿了。斑点的数量与实现你的愿望还需要的月数（有些人说是年数）一致。你要保密，不要告诉其他任何人你的愿望是什么。如果你将愿望说了出来，你可能会倒霉。
在伊朗，瓢虫预示着好消息即将来临。
A symbol of protection
守护的象征
During the Middle Ages， it was common belief that the ladybug symbolized7protection.
The ladybug has been and still is used as a talisman8 for safety andprotection against all harm. Now we can see why ladybugs on baby and childclothing is always popular.
Common folk belief tells that if a ladybug crawls9 over an unwed woman’shand， she will be married within a year.
Knowing the ladybug symbolism also includes love， joy and prosperity10， anyperson would happily give gifts with ladybug images on them.
在中世纪，人们普遍认为瓢虫象征着保护。
瓢虫一直并仍然被用作安全和防止一切伤害的护身符。现在我们可以知道为什么婴儿和儿童服装上的瓢虫总是很受欢迎。
民间普遍认为，如果瓢虫爬到未婚女子的手上，她将在一年内结婚。
知道了瓢虫也象征着爱、欢乐和繁荣后，任何人都会很高兴地送出印有瓢虫图案的礼物。
Ladybug and the newborn babies
瓢虫与新生儿
As mentioned earlier ladybugs bring safety and good luck， but there is stillanother reason why babies should have something with ladybug images.
Ladybugs are considered very lucky for babies.
In Italy the ladybug has been given a nickname which means “little midwives11”.
The ladybug symbolism of abundant12 blessings13 has led to ladybugs beingever popular on all clothing and all kinds of other stuff for children and adults alike.
正如前面提到的，瓢虫会带来安全和好运，但为什么婴儿应该拥有带瓢虫图案的东西还有另一个原因。
人们认为瓢虫对婴儿来说非常吉利。
在意大利，瓢虫被赋予了一个绰号，意思是“小助产士”。
瓢虫象征的丰厚祝福使得瓢虫在儿童和成人的所有服装和其他物品上都非常流行。
A symbol of self-reliance14
自力更生的象征
All though the ladybugs may be tiny creatures， they are able to protectthemselves from larger predators15.
When the ladybug is in danger， it will give off a terrible smell which thepredator cannot bear. The result may be that the predator will go elsewhere to findits next meal.
People have said that the ladybug is a good example and a symbol of selfrelianceno matter how small a creature is.
尽管瓢虫也许是微小的生物，但它们有能力保护自己免受更大的捕食者的袭击。
当瓢虫处于危险中时，它会释放出一种捕食者无法忍受的可怕气味。结果就是捕食者可能会去其他地方寻找它的下一顿饭。
人们说，瓢虫是自力更生的很好的例子和象征，无论它多么渺小。
Notes
1. ladybug 瓢虫
2. symbolism 象征
3. brush 刷；拂拭
4. spot 点；斑点
5. jinx 厄运；不祥的人或事物
6. foretell 预言；预测
7. symbolize 象征
8. talisman 护身符；法宝
9. crawl 爬行
10. prosperity 繁荣；成功
11. midwife 助产士；接生员
12. abundant 大量的；丰富的；充足的
13. blessing 祝福
14. self-reliance 自力更生
15. predator 捕食性动物