Page:Insect Literature by Lafcadio Hearn.djvu/298



I

celebrated Chinese scholar, known in Japanese literature as Riku-Un, wrote the following quaint account of the Five Virtues of the Cicada:—

"I.—The Cicada has upon its head certain figures or signs. These represent its [written] characters, style, literature.

"II.—It eats nothing belonging to earth, and drinks only dew. This proves its cleanliness, purity, propriety.

"III.—It always appears at a certain fixed time. This proves its fidelity, sincerity, truthfulness.

"IV.—It will not accept wheat or rice. This proves its probity, uprightness, honesty.

"V.—It does not make for itself any nest to live in. This proves its frugality, thrift, economy."