Most peoples first reaction, upon seeing an insect in their home or place of business, is to squish it, step on it, smack it with something, or in other words, kill it. A few people might actually think “eat it” and I would rather have people think that way, than to kill it for no other reason.

Why do we kill harmless insects?

The authors of the ancient world generally did not distinguish sharply among the different types of small insects that might be a minor, if persistent, irritation, and the term fly is used here loosely as a general designation for them.

The idea of a butterfly or moth as the soul is a remarkable example of the universality of animal symbolism, since it is found in traditional cultures of every continent. The custom of scattering flowers at funerals is very ancient, and the flowers attract butterflies, which appear to have emerged from a corpse.

Bulls and cows are prominent in the Paleolithic paintings on the walls of caves in France, Spain, and other parts of Europe. In the main chamber of the cave at Lascaux, five enormous bulls decorate the ceiling.

Beetles are often found near garbage, around excrement, and in dank areas. People usually associate beetles with filth, squalor, and decay, yet myth often regards these qualities are often a preliminary stage to the creation of life.