Myths, Legends and Folklores About Cicadas

In Chinese folklore the cicada is considered a sacred animal symbol of resurrection and rebirth.

During the Chou Dynasty  cicada-shaped funeral jades were used in religious ritual burials. The cicada funeral jade was placed on the tongue of deceased (dead) people as it was believed to bring about resurrection or reincarnation.

An old Italian myth tells the story of how cicadas came to earth to sing. A long time ago a young woman was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. So beautiful was her voice that when she died, the gods who missed the sound of her voice, allowed her to return to life every summer as the cicadas so she could continue to sing.