T-shirt ORIGAMI PRAYING MANTIS
(designed shirt)
The genus name comes from the Greek "mantis", meaning prophet, soothsayer. It is probably called "religious" because of its posture and the way it holds its legs: these are gathered in a particular position reminiscent of the praying person's clasped hands.
The praying mantis has always been known to kill and devour its partner after or even during mating. This phenomenon of nuptial or post-nuptial cannibalism has a reason.
Why does this happen? The female mantis feeds on the male to get the energy needed to produce and grow her eggs.
Symbology: Spirituality and detachment
The significance of this insect is debated among many cultures. Mantids have carefully planned movements and a human mindset that they use in everyday life. A Chinese mantra states that 'the mantis never does anything unless it is completely sure it is doing the right thing'. This means that people should unify their souls and minds before making a decision, to reduce the chances of making a choice they might regret.
An old French belief holds that mantises help lost children to find their way home, pointing them in the right direction. Arab and Turkish cultures believe that mantises always point towards Mecca, the important site of the Muslim world. Depending on their position, which is commonly associated with prayer, many cultures attribute different abilities to praying mantises.
