The Beetle in Myth and Folklore

Welcome back to the History Nook.

Today, we’re exploring the impact beetles have had on myth and folklore around the world—where even the tiniest of creatures can carry the weight of suns, souls, and sacred stories.

So grab your favourite mug, find a soft space to curl up, and let’s wander a little deeper into the past.

You're probably expecting me to begin with scarabs in Ancient Egypt… and you'd be right.

Khepri.

I adore Khepri.

Let’s backtrack a little. Scarab beetles—more accurately, dung beetles—are known for rolling balls of dung. The Ancient Egyptians noticed the similarity between this rolling motion and the sun’s journey across the sky, and so the beetle quickly became a symbol of creation and cosmic movement.

Khepri, the beetle-headed god, was associated with the dawn and creation—not just biological creation, but all kinds: rebirth, renewal, transformation. Dung beetles also lay their eggs inside those dung balls, and when young beetles emerged fully formed, it appeared as if life had arisen from nothing. To the Egyptians, who didn’t know the beetle’s full life cycle, this felt nothing short of miraculous—and only deepened their reverence for these creatures.

(I could write so much more about Khepri himself, but let’s keep our gaze on beetles rather than beetle deities… for now.)

In Greek mythology, the musician Cerambus was transformed into a beetle as punishment (a classic Greek fate). The longhorn beetle’s scientific name—Cerambyx—pays homage to this myth.

Over in Germanic folklore, stag beetles were sometimes associated with Thor. While sources are sparse, the link between those mighty antlered jaws and a thunder god is one I find deliciously fitting. Elsewhere in Europe, stag beetles pop up in various folk tales—sometimes feared, sometimes revered, sometimes simply misunderstood. One little site I found had charming snippets of beetle lore from across the continent. Click here to take a look!

Stag beetles have also been linked to the devil himself—and honestly, I see it. Those sharp, spindly mandibles do give off a certain “hellish herald” energy. And if you told me dung beetles were rolling hot coals around in the underworld, I’d absolutely believe you.

But regardless of their associations—divine or diabolical—beetles have been part of our stories for thousands of years. Tiny, tenacious, and full of mystery.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed your time in The History Nook today.

Until next time, stay curious, and keep warm.

🐾 A footnote from Index: 🐾

"I, for one, welcome our beetle overlords. Especially the shiny ones. They look like they’d bring snacks."