The Beauty of Butterflies.
Have you ever felt the majesty of a unique butterfly encounter? It flutters around you, lands on you, or seems to be watching you. Something you will never forget, for these beautiful and unique creatures have much symbolism around them, and they have done for thousands of years in many cultures and ways.
A butterfly may well have crossed your path to open your awareness and wonder in the world around you. Some may call them messengers, however, may regard them as a symbol of transformation, especially should you see the butterfly as your totem or spirit animal.
Life is always unfolding, and the world around us ever-changing, however, butterflies remind us to take things slow and not rush, for we too, must sometimes lay dormant in a cocoon before we can spread our wings. Is this what that butterfly was reminding you of? Perhaps.
Let’s delve beneath the surface, and fathom what butterflies symbolize, and what they may be trying to say to you.
The Symbolism of Butterflies.
Butterflies have much symbolism around them. They often represent powerful transformation, or a form of metamorphosis in your life. They can also symbolize the movement through different life cycles, or rebirth. If you have recently cut ties with someone who was not a positive influence in your life, a butterfly may come by to remind you that you are beginning again, and you need not drag the past with you, as a butterfly will leave behind its cocoon after it has emerged.
Butterflies can also represent lightness or playfulness, as well as elevation from earthly/ human matters, as well as the soul, psyche, and spiritual connections.
Key meanings.
There are many meanings that a butterfly may have, it depends on its color, the situation, and in which way it should be best interpreted, for although they may often represent transformation, situations may not always require transformation, but perhaps instead, a keen focus on the soul and psyche.
For example, one may ask, ‘what does a white butterfly symbolize?’ And the answer would be different to butterflies of other colors. A white butterfly symbolizes purity, innocence, clarity and simplicity. In fact, white butterflies are also often associated with your sixth chakra. White butterflies are also associated with angels as well, although all butterflies are seen as spiritual messengers, white ones are more associated with angels. In contrast, a black butterfly would symbolize mystery, beauty, rebellion, and change.
Aside from colors, what else can butterflies symbolize, and how are they seen across different cultures?
The passing of a loved one.
Many times people will relate butterflies as the symbolism of a loved one passing, or hardships that people may have endured that force them to become better and stronger as a person.
There have been many stories from people who have survived illnesses such as cancer, and others who have dealt with severe mental health, broken hearts, and even drug addictions, who have related butterflies to their situation.
However, butterflies are often also a symbol of joy, in celebrations, weddings, and journeys to greater things. They are a symbol of change, both the good and the bad.
Butterflies in religion.
Many religions relate butterflies to the soul. Christianity views butterflies as a symbol of resurrection, whereas many others will view the butterfly as a representative of endurance, change, and hope.
Ancient Aztecs viewed butterflies as a symbol of comfort, sent by ancestors long passed. The Ancient Romans and Greeks viewed butterflies as a symbol of the soul, related to the Goddess Psyche, who has the wings of a butterfly.
The Celts believed that butterflies moved between the supernatural world, and it was bad luck to kill a white butterfly, as they carried the souls of children who had passed. Japan, considers butterflies to be souls, with the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly to travel into the metaphysical. In Chinese culture, butterflies symbolize freedom, beauty, and love. With two butterflies, symbolizing eternal love.
Butterflies as totem animals.
As a totem animal butterflies symbolize a lightness of being, as well as elevation from the heaviness of tensions, they bring joy and bright colors. Each butterfly color gives more meaning to the butterfly.
While white butterflies speak to the soul and spirituality, black symbolizes change and transformation, brown butterflies are a reminder to ground yourself, purple butterflies symbolize peace as well as devotion and aspiration. Blue butterflies represent trust, faith, and wisdom, while red butterflies symbolize passion, intensity, as well as the first chakra. To know more about other spirit animals, vist spiritanimaldreams.com
