The superstitions of a Praying Mantis was the ancient Greeks endowed it with supernatural powers (μάντις, a diviner); the Turks and Arabs hold that it prays constantly with its face turned towards Mecca; the Provençals call it Prega-Diou (Prie-Dieu); and numerous more or less similar names like preacher, saint, nun, mendicant, soothsayer, are widely diffused throughout southern Europe. In Nubia it is held in great esteem, and the Hottentots, if not worshipping they regard them as token of saintliness and an omen of good fortune.