Dear cecil,
Why chinese people considered cicada auspicious. Thanks.

In ancient Chinese culture, cicadas are much more than just a symbol of simple "good luck." They are deeply respected symbols of rebirth, moral purity, and protection in the afterlife.

Here are the main reasons why:

* Rebirth and Transformation: A cicada spends a long time underground before emerging, shedding its old shell, and flying away. Ancient Chinese people saw this as a perfect natural symbol for renewal, leaving the past behind, and transitioning to a new stage of life (or the afterlife).

* Moral Purity: Because cicadas live high up in tree branches and survive on tree sap and dew, ancient scholars saw them as clean and noble creatures. The cicada became a symbol of a good, honorable person who rises above greed and the "dirty" aspects of the world.

* Protection in Death (Jade Cicadas): Cicadas were incredibly important in ancient funerals. Small cicadas were carved out of jade a tough, highly valued stone and buried with the dead. The jade was believed to protect the body, while the cicada shape was meant to help the person's soul successfully transform and move on to the afterlife.

In short: The cicada became a powerful symbol in China because its unique life cycle perfectly matched Chinese beliefs about nature, living a pure life, and the soul's journey after death.