It is somewhat surprising that the frog is so important to Mythology and Folklore. Being an amphibean that transforms it is a symbol for birth, death and rebirth.
Frogs have held an important role in the mythologies of many civilizations. Most of these myths center around the frog’s transformation from a tadpole to a frog. Many cultures saw this as a rebirth thus associating them with creation myths and the land of the dead. The fact that some frogs can lay up to 3,000 eggs makes it no wonder that they have been associated with many fertility deities and creation itself.
In Egypt the frog is most commonly found associated with the goddess Heqet (or Heket) who was the goddess of fertility and childbirth. Sometimes depicted as a frog or a woman with a frog head Heqet was seen as protectress of childbirth. Her priestesses who were trained midwives wore amulets that bore her image. It is theorized that the reason why the Egyptians saw frogs as being a symbol for childbirth and creation was because during certain times of the year thousands of frogs would surface from the Nile River. Thus creating the belief that this was an omen of fruitfulness. In the Greco-Roman tradition the frog was a symbol of Aphrodite and Venus, along with fertility the frog came to represent harmony between lovers.
The frog is seen in creation myths to Hindus. In the Rig Veda the Great Frog supports the universe and is representative of the matter from which all is created. In Vedic traditions frogs are seen as deities that chant by croaking for rain in a time of drought.
The frog held important roles in western mythology as well. In early Christian myth the frog symbolized resurrection and a higher stage of spiritual awakening. As well European folklore states that it is good luck to have a frog show up in your home and if heard outdoors it signified coming rain.
As much as the frog has been a symbol for life and birth it has also been a symbol for death. Another European myth held that it was bad luck to kill a frog for they housed the souls of dead children. In the ancient Zoroastrian religion of the Middle East the frog was associated with the deity or anti-creator Ahriman (who is the most evil of all beings). It wasn’t until Europe’s Mid-evil times that the frog was given such an unfavorable rap in the common culture. It was during this period that the frog went from a sacred symbol of creation and death to being seen as evil. The frog along with a handful of other animals was seen as being a witch’s familiar also known as devoted magical animal thus attaching the negative stigma that they have on them today.
