July 19 (Lunar calendar: June 2), 2023 Wednesday | Dawnxisoul393art

《Lotus Goddess- Ladybug Spirit》, painted by dawnxisoul393

Part 1: Message from Lotus Goddess - The Miracle of the Seven-Star Ladybug

Under the summer afternoon sun, the pink petals of lotus flowers dance. The lotus pond was drenched in blue, pink, and gold ... The fresh lotus fragrance lingered in the breeze. Two lovely seven-star ladybugs are frolicking carefree. The koi fish are swimming happily around the lotus flower, bringing a message from the goddess of the lotus: the seven-star ladybug is always associated with positivity and happiness, and whenever the seven-star ladybugs appear, they bring good luck to people. When an ugly larva turns into a lovely seven-star ladybug, bright, happy red and lovely seven black dots appear on its shell, indicating miraculous positive changes coming into our lives. Enjoy the little bits of happiness in our lives, find our true selves, and fill our hearts with joy!

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The seven-star ladybug we encounter in our daily life is about 7mm long (but according to information, the seven-star ladybugs vary from 1 to 15mm long). The body of the seven-star ladybug is like a half ball with a black head and it has a bright red or orange back. The seven-star ladybug has six legs and is fast both in crawling and flying. The seven-star ladybug has a pair of hard, red, protective shell wings. When crawling, the seven-star ladybug resembles a small baggage car, and when flying, in addition to the protective shell wings spread out, it also extends a pair of huge transparent wings. The unique and attractive appearance of the seven-star ladybugs is quite popular. Let's spend some time on a quiet night in a place frequented by seven-star ladybugs and think about what concerns us most. When we think in silence, we get a sense of what is real to us.

In the company of the seven-star ladybugs, all of our true inner thoughts and feelings will help us discover our desires and passions. These desires and passions will become the divine guiding lights that illuminate our path in life, and as they transform into decisions and actions, they guide us to the peaceful life we desire. The seven-star ladybug is the embodiment of good fortune, the seven-star ladybug is the symbol of luck. In some English contexts, the seven-starred ladybug is also called "Ladybird", which is the common name for the seven-starred ladybug. In Catholicism, the Virgin Mary is referred to as "Our Lady" and she is often depicted as a virgin in a red cloak in early Catholic paintings. The red shell of the seven-star ladybug symbolizes the Virgin Mary in her red cloak, and the seven stars on the back of the seven-star ladybug symbolize the seven joys and sorrows of the Virgin Mary, hence their name.

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There is also a theory that the seven-star ladybugs are regarded by farmers as a gift from the Virgin Mary to help them destroy pests in their fields, orchards, and gardens. In Greek mythology, the "birds" were messengers, with some kind of divinity, who traveled between heaven and earth and also served as messengers. The farmers were so grateful for the Virgin's gift that they regarded the seven-star ladybug as a lucky messenger sent by the Virgin and named it "Ladybird". According to legend, if a seven-star ladybug stays on the body of an unmarried man, it means that the man will soon meet the love of his life, get married, and have children. And a young girl who is nearing marriageable age and is looking forward to getting married can put a ladybug on her left index finger if she wants to predict her future love, and the number of seconds the ladybug stays on her index finger represents how many more years she has to wait before she can wear a wedding dress.

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Marilyn Monroe is a well-known American actress. She grew up in an orphanage. In 1944, Monroe, who worked as an aircraft painter in an aircraft factory, was discovered by an army photographer and took many photos, which attracted her attention. In 1955, Monroe established her star status with the film "the itch of seven years". However, What really makes Monroe attract our attention is “the fate” between Monroe and the ladybug. At the 2016 Basel international watch show, several lady bug antique watches were displayed together with Monroe's "Ladybug watch", one of which was inlaid with diamonds, similar to the sun totem, known as the witness of an old couple's faithful love for more than half a century.

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There is a famous cosmetic brand in Japan, LB, which stands for LadyBird, which means that every girl who uses LB has a chance to reap happiness. From this perspective, there is no doubt that the seven-star ladybug is also a symbol of love. In Germany, people make chocolates in the shape of the seven-star ladybug and also make greeting cards with the seven-star ladybug design on them. The unique culture of the seven-star ladybug has slowly penetrated into people's lives. The seven-star ladybug is a modest little creature because it never makes a sound. Yet, it is the messenger of joy and happiness. She reminds us to let everything around us flow in a natural rhythm. Sometimes, maybe some changes in life put us in a struggle and we cannot fight against the raging tide. The seven-star ladybug teaches us to relax and leave our worries behind. 

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There are some difficulties we can't solve physically or mentally, we've put in a tremendous amount of effort and are exhausted, unable to do anything else. But when we are able to let go of the moment and relax, we may get positive results that we did not anticipate. The seven-star ladybug also advises us to get to know ourselves well and make wise choices in our lives. Cultural symbols about the seven-star ladybug have long been widely spread in the East and West. The seven-star ladybug also symbolizes the divine protector in a special way. The seven-star ladybugs are "frequent visitors" to humans and have deep bonds with crop farmers in particular. Both adult and larvae of the seven-star ladybug can continuously control aphids, leaf mites, and other pests on vegetables, fruit trees, and crops. It is known as a "living pesticide". It plays an important role in maintaining the balance between pests and plants in natural and artificial ecosystems. 

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In addition, the seven-star ladybugs are often used as experimental material for other life sciences such as evolutionary biology, population ecology, genetics, cytology, biogeography, and species issues. The seven-star ladybug is a fully metamorphic insect, which means that the juvenile form is completely different from the adult form. The seven-star ladybug goes through four insect stages in its life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Usually, there are three molts and the larvae are divided into four instars. The change from larva to adult is one of the most extraordinary of all changes in nature. When the larvae are fully grown, they stop growing. The larva of the seven-star ladybug then grows a hard skin, the larva becomes a pupa and is protected in the pupa shell, the larva hidden in the pupa changes into an adult, the pupa shell is a semi-circular hard shell of yellow and black color, after the change, the appearance of the seven-star ladybug changes completely, the pupa cracks open and the seven-star ladybug crawls out. 

In fact, when the mother ladybug lays her eggs on a leaf, new life begins!

Second Part: Mr. Seven-Star Ladybug and Mr. Dung Beetle 

In this world, there are two kinds of insects with very similar life characteristics and physical signs, both of them are completely metamorphic insects, both need to go through the nymph and become insects: seven-stars ladybug and dung beetle. But people have very different feelings about their likes and dislikes. Why? There is a story about the seven-star ladybug and the dung beetle. This story answers our question：

Long, long ago, Mr. seven-star Ladybug and Mr. Dung Beetle were neighbors. One day at dusk, Mr. seven-star ladybug finished his day's work and was on his way home. Mr. seven-star ladybug likes to work, but as he rubbed his rumbling stomach, he had to pay attention to his stomach's protest. Mr. seven-star ladybug was not yet married, and the most difficult thing in life for a bachelor like him was the problem of eating. At that moment, he came to an immensely tall willow tree, and suddenly, he found light coming through a hole at his feet. Mr. seven-star ladybug put his head in front of the hole and looked into it, and it was astonishing. There was a castle inside the cave, and the walls of the castle were covered with colored lights, and the colorful lights lit up the whole castle. There were many, many little people there! 

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Those little people were about the same size as him, wearing brightly colored clothing. Look at their festive appearance, as if they were holding a happy wedding party. In the castle against the wall, a lot of grills, there were many red and shiny foods hanging on the grills, a mouth-watering aroma. Mr. seven-star ladybug swallowed his saliva, it turned to think, why do not I go down to see it? The older generation of seven-star ladybugs said that being able to attend someone's wedding will bring good luck. When Mr. seven-star ladybug moved his semi-circular body to climb down from the hole, the little people first stared at him and then applauded to welcome his arrival, their faces flashing with kind smiles. It turned out that these little people were underground residents, They didn't know much about the world above them, but they were very hospitable people. 

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There was a wedding going on there at the time, and according to their custom, it was a very auspicious thing for a stranger to appear at a wedding, it meant a special blessing. That night, Mr. seven-star ladybug ate the most sumptuous dinner ever. Before going to bed, Mr. seven-star ladybug touched his bulging belly and said with satisfaction, "Little people are so nice, tomorrow I will also give the most beautiful gift to that couple and make them the happiest people in the world." The next day, Mr. seven-star ladybug got up early in the morning and went to the forest to pick a big basket of flower petals with dewdrops and gave them to the newlywed couple, who liked Mr. seven-star ladybug's gift very much. The parents of the couple treated Mr. seven-star ladybug with a warm welcome. 

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Mr. Ladybug complimented them on their cooking as he ate, and the aproned mother of the newlyweds kept putting food into Mr. seven-star ladybug's bowl, smiling and saying, "Eat more, son, we know you're a bachelor at first glance." The seven-star ladybug's mouth was so full that he couldn't speak but nodded his head. " From now on, make here your home, tell us what you want to eat, everyone here is a great cook, and you are very welcome!" In this way, Mr. seven-star ladybug and the hospitable little people became good friends. From then on, Mr. seven-star ladybug often visited the little people in the underground castle, and of course, he would not go empty-handed every time and always brought them many surprises: beautiful flowers, fresh fruits, interesting stones ... Sometimes, Mr. seven-star ladybug would also help the little people to work. 

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Although he was often tired and sweaty, he felt very happy to help his friends to do something.

From then on, Mr. seven-star ladybug often visited the little people in the underground castle, and of course, he would not go empty-handed every time and always brought them many surprises: beautiful flowers, fresh fruits, interesting stones ... Sometimes, Mr. seven-star ladybug would also help the little people to work. Although he was often tired and sweaty, he felt very happy to help his friends to do something. One day, Mr. seven-star ladybug was happily walking home after dinner, just then, he met his neighbor, Mr. dung beetle. "Yo, it's only been a few days since I've seen you, how come you've become so refreshed." Mr. seven-star ladybug told him about the little people underground. "Yo, such a good thing did not inform me earlier, we are not good neighbors?" Mr. dung beetle stomped his feet and complained, and strongly requested Mr. seven-star ladybug not to forget to take him together the next time Mr. seven-star ladybug went to the little people‘s castle." 

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Mr. seven-star ladybug agreed. That evening, Mr. seven-star ladybug took Mr. dung beetle to the underground little people's castle. After Mr. dung beetle lightning ate all the food that the little people had served them, he burped loudly and said, "I regret that I didn't know you guys earlier, but I will come back early tomorrow morning." The next morning, Mr. dung beetle came to the underground castle, announced to those sleepy-eyed little people: "I have decided, from today onwards I change the diet of three meals a day, I am ready to eat a meal every hour from dawn in the morning to dark in the evening here, each meal should be different." Mr. dung beetle's decision could scare the little people, but they were still very polite to entertain him. From that day on, in the little people's castle, people can see Mr. dung beetle at any time, his neck tied with a white napkin, the corners of the mouth with the remains of food, gleefully eating while loudly expressing his views on food.

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Fewer and fewer people were willing to entertain Mr. dung beetle, and they didn't even want to see him as if he was a monster. Once, Mr. seven-star ladybug carefully chose the right words to say to Mr. dung beetle: "How can you take the kindness of the little people to us for granted? Next time you go, don't go empty-handed, at least bring some gifts, to show your appreciation. Or, you can give the little people a hand and do some work." Before Mr. seven-star ladybug could finish, Mr. dung beetle shouted, "What? What? It's just a few meals, look at you, as if I owe them a huge favor." Mr. dung beetle ignored Mr. seven-star ladybug's advice and continued to do as he pleased. Sometime later, the little people told Mr. seven-star ladybug and Mr. dung beetle that they would be leaving the area and moving to another place. 

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"I'm going to miss you guys." Mr. seven-star ladybug fondly hugged each of the cute little people goodbye, with crystal tears shining in their eyes. The little people surrounded Mr. seven-star ladybug in the middle and danced rhythmically, singing lyrics that Mr. seven-star ladybug and Mr. dung beetle couldn't understand. When the song stopped, the little people held up a mirror for the ladybug to see. Mr. Seven Star Ladybug was amazed to find that his sheath wings turned out to be exceptionally gorgeous, the seven little black dots on the sheath wings were shining, and what was even more amazing was that transparent silk-like wings grew under the sheath wings. Mr. Seven Star Ladybug gently flapped his wings and then gently rose into mid-air. This is the beneficial insect that we are very familiar with today - the seven-star ladybug. Mr. dung beetle opened his mouth wide with envy and hurriedly pulled off his napkin and rushed up with great enthusiasm, shouting: "And me! I'm still here! How could you forget about me! I like the cherry color!" "Oh, yes, there's still him!" The little people said, and said, and also Mr. dung beetle in a circle, and sang again. As they sang, they faded away ... 

Mr. dung beetle looked down, oops, his own body was everywhere black paste, and hanging shit yellow things, so disgusting! From then on, as we see today, the seven-star ladybugs have since had a glorious, angelic, and beautiful appearance, while the dung beetles, black, like a mass of shit, wherever they go, will leave a revolting stench.

Third Part: The Cultural Symbolism of the Seven-Star Ladybug

The seven-star ladybugs have always been inextricably linked to the Virgin Mary, and their connection to the Virgin Mary comes from their protection of plants. The seven-star ladybugs have a special and great symbolism from cultures all over the world. The seven-star ladybugs are small insects with a great capacity to destroy all kinds of aphids and other pests, both adults and larvae. Aphids are considered one of the world's most destructive pests to nature, reproducing at an alarming rate, feeding mainly on plant sap to affect and hinder plant growth, and spreading viruses, making them extremely harmful to both agriculture and the garden industry. However, such a vicious and ubiquitous pest has met with brave aphid exterminators - their nemesis, the seven-star ladybugs.

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In symbolism, the seven-star ladybugs are a common symbol of friendship, a natural helper of plants, living in harmony with nature and humans. The beautiful impression of the seven-star ladybugs not only lies in their brilliant colors and exquisite appearance, but also in the fact that the seven-star ladybugs are the embodiment of guardians, guarding the food, fruits, and vegetables that humans eat every day, and with their presence, humans can harvest intact crops. From the time we were in our mother's arms, we grew up with beautiful folklore about the seven-star ladybugs destroying pests and protecting orchards:

In a lush orchard, there lived a group of beautiful butterflies, which danced every day in anticipation of the ripening of the fruit. On this day, a group of seven-star ladybugs flew to this orchard. The seven-star ladybugs had been flying for a long, long time before they finally found such a beautiful place. The arrival of the seven-star ladybugs attracted the attention of the butterflies, and they flew down next to the seven-star ladybugs, looking left and right, observing these alternative guys. At this time, one butterfly looked at the seven-star ladybugs with contemptuous eyes and said, "Come and see, these guys with spots on their bodies, how ugly they look!" "And they all look the same, it's too monotonous and boring!" "Yes! Yes!" The butterflies echoed, showing off their colorful wings as they laughed at the seven-star ladybugs.

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The seven-star ladybugs, who thought they had found a new home, left the orchard in tears and flew away amidst the mockery of the butterflies. Time passed slowly, the fruit ripening time was getting closer and closer, but the fruit trees are withering day by day, which can be anxious beautiful butterflies, they flew around the fruit trees, looking, finally found out that the pest aphids in trouble. Everyone is afraid to dirty their beautiful wings. No one is willing to catch pests. They can only watch the fruit trees wither gradually. When everyone was ready to give up the orchard and find another home, the seven-star ladybugs that they had driven away flew back. The seven-star ladybugs silently caught the pests in the orchard and restored the wilted fruit trees to infinite life.

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The butterflies bowed their heads in shame and they said to the seven-star ladybugs, "Seven-star ladybugs, you are the real beautiful insects!" The legend of the seven-star ladybugs tells us that the beauty of the heart is a real beauty. Just like the seven-star ladybugs, although the appearance is not the most beautiful, the heart is beautiful. The seven-star ladybugs were not afraid to dirty their wings, silently catching pests in the orchard, so that the withered fruit trees were restored to life. These tiny creatures, which are tiny but have strong faith, protect the spirituality of the world. When plants are safe, they can reach their full potential and provide ample food for people. When we use our hard work and efforts to keep our hearts protected from fear, doubt, and shame, our spiritual world becomes more enriched and shines brightly in our surroundings.

The seven-star ladybug often lays eggs in the fall on plants such as corn, radish, and cabbage in the fields. In winter the seven-star ladybug winters among the roots and stems of wheat and rape, and some winter in sunny clods and crevices of the soil. In spring, once the temperature rises above 10°C, the overwintering ladybugs wake up and start their activities, and they can be seen on both wheat and rape plants. In summer, as temperatures rise and food increases, ladybugs multiply and can be found on any plant where aphids and mealybugs are parasitic, sometimes even in large numbers. Aphids reproduce at an alarming rate, so even though each seven-star ladybug can destroy tens of thousands of aphids in its nearly 80-day life cycle, this is not nearly enough from a plant protection perspective.

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Therefore, when the weather warms up in the summer, the seven-star ladybugs proliferate and the females lay eggs on the aphid-hosted plants, creating a new force to destroy them. The aphids know they cannot defeat the seven-star ladybugs, so they begin to call for reinforcements, and they summon the famous fighting force of the insect world - an army of ants. The aphids themselves provide nectar to the ants, luring them to attack the seven-star ladybug for the aphids. The smooth, hairless back of the seven-star ladybug makes it more difficult for ants to attack. Another self-protective ability that seven-star ladybugs possess is their body odor. Their three pairs of fine foot joints contain "chemical weapons". When they are in danger, they secrete a yellow liquid with an extremely unpleasant odor, which discourages the ants that help the aphids attack the seven-star ladybug.

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We get further information from the Lotus Goddess that the seven-star ladybug is a warrior who fights against pests and is a little spirit who lives freely and happily. When we have the ability to survive like the seven-star ladybug, our true inner thoughts and feelings will help us discover our desires and passions, which will serve as a guiding light to illuminate our path in life. When our desires and passions are transformed into decisions and actions, they will lead us to the freedom and liberation we desire. Only when we become strong ourselves can our lives become more expansive, providing us with more opportunities to expand our future. We must first learn to adapt and improve the environment in which we live. If we want the world to be a better place, we need to change our own attitude toward life.

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Sometimes we feel a little lost, perhaps, because we have not yet recognized our own true dreams, or perhaps, we are still striving for that perfection that will never be. We have been vain, fantasized, struggled for narrow goals, and when we look back today, we feel that many things do not matter. We can't change our own past, but we can try to change our own present. Let the past be the past, we should walk our future road, the key is that we need to abandon the unnecessary baggage in our minds. Life is so short, yet there are so many things we need to do, and there are very important loved ones waiting for us to cherish. Going our own way, even though it is difficult, we do not regret it, even though it is very rugged, but we still go forward.

One day, when we look back, we can point to the road full of pain and tears and say loudly and proudly that this road is our own. Not only do we need to get out of our own happiness, but we should also try to help people in need and make our own important note for the cultural symbol of the seven-star ladybug.

The End

Original by dawnxisoul393, 

(One of our spiritual healing thoughts) 

Seven-Star Ladybug Spirit （Message from Lotus Goddess - The Miracle of the Seven-Star Ladybug）(one of our spiritual healing thoughts) Dawnxisoul393

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