Butterflies have served as an inspiration for lovers of nature and freedom, perhaps because of their bright colors or because these vibrant insects achieve a hypnotic effect on their spectators and have represented a symbol of transformation for many cultures around the world. The meaning of butterflies is associated with their own metamorphosis and the processes of change linked to the soul.
Butterflies symbolize change
In many ancient cultures, butterflies appear in mythology and worldview as a spiritual symbol associated with the soul. They are synonymous with transformation due to their capacity for metamorphosis, while making evident how ephemeral earthly life can be, which in the end is destined for transcendence. The , represents the journey of the soul that is initially in the earthly body, but is destined for transmutation towards a divine body.
Ancient cultures such as the Greeks represented the soul with the. The goddess Psyche was represented with butterfly wings and was synonymous with the human psyche. While other cultures immortalized these insects coming out of the mouths of dying people, as a symbol of the last earthly breath that transmutes towards the divine. Throughout history, the butterfly has been associated with the journey from the earthly plane to the spiritual plane where the soul is freed from the bonds of this world, thanks to its capacity for transformation.
Japanese culture, for its part, had the belief that humans can reincarnate into these beautiful insects to care for their loved ones. It was even thought that humans could project their soul into themselves while they slept, to fly freely through the world.
While in the 17th century, the Irish considered white butterflies sacred, as they were believed to house the souls of deceased children. For this reason, it was forbidden to kill these pristine white insects, as they were guests of the neatness of the most innocent souls.
The psychological meaning of butterflies
Metamorphosis keeps within itself the meanings and signifiers that the human mind immediately associates with change. In that sense, we observe man’s possibility of rebirth and even eternal return that is present in the subjective construction of man. It plays an extremely important function in the structure of the personality, which provides it with resilient characteristics to be reborn.
Just as the and defy the understanding of life, the soul is capable of breaking with the seemingly known to achieve transcendence.
It can also mean the search for happiness, which the more desperately it is pursued, the less it can be achieved. Just like butterflies, happiness lands on us when we least look for it, since it is achieved when we live and enjoy the here and now. Not when thoughts constantly jump ahead of the present.
Meaning of butterflies by their colors
White: The color white is associated with innocence and peace, a butterfly of this color can announce a path full of tranquility and transmutation.
Violet: This color is often associated with balance, harmony and stability. A purple butterfly can mean that everything in the present is in sync.
Green: Green symbolizes reconciliation. The appearance of a green butterfly can give us the guideline to get closer to those from whom we have been distant for some reason or another. The important thing is to stay united and in harmony.
Red: The quintessential symbol of love, joy and passion. A red butterfly is the greatest consummation of love in our lives.
Black: For many years the appearance of the black butterfly has been associated as a symbol of bad omen. However, it is rather a turning point, an opportunity to reflect in the darkness and get back on track.