fireflies were the souls of unbaptized dead infants.
In Barbara W. Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," the author explores various aspects of life during a turbulent period in history. One notable belief from that time is that fireflies represented the souls of unbaptized dead infants. This reflects the deep spiritual and superstitious views held by people, illustrating how they interpreted natural phenomena in relation to life and death.
This belief highlights the cultural context of the 14th century, where death was a frequent part of life due to disease and warfare. The idea of fireflies as souls emphasizes the grief and hope parents held for their lost children, suggesting a connection between the living and the dead that permeated their everyday experiences.
