The butterfly is a fascinating animal that undoubtedly has a great attraction for the person who observes it.
Whether or not you are a spiritual or religious person, it is very likely that you have wondered what is the meaning of the butterfly as a symbol and this article we are going to tell you exactly about that, what the butterfly means to different cultures around the world.
Symbolism and meaning of butterflies
Butterflies are often considered symbols of change, transformation and rebirth. Some say they are harbingers of good luck and bring messages of light that herald new beginnings.
The more specific meaning of the appearance of these beautiful insects can be interpreted in different ways depending on the circumstances and various cultural or spiritual perspectives, but it is important to pay attention when a butterfly visits.
It is believed that seeing butterflies can be a call from the Universe that you are in the midst of or about to enter the kind of incredible journey a caterpillar goes through to shed its earthly skin and grow wings.
A caterpillar (or larva) grows, molts, hangs upside down and weaves a silken cocoon (if it is to become a moth) or a chrysalis (if it is to become a butterfly), where it essentially digests and dissolves, being reborn into a beautiful flying creature like no other.
Butterflies teach us the importance of change and that, in order to become something great, one must have patience and faith.
Because they experience a form of resurrection, in many cultures butterflies represent the soul in spiritual transformation.
If you see butterflies, it is a sign of positive change.
You may want to ask yourself what changes you need to make to live more in alignment with your true and authentic self. Or, if you are already experiencing changes and transformations in your life, a butterfly may appear to remind you that everything is going to be okay.
Butterflies are also believed to represent a spiritual journey. An important aspect of life is learning to let things go and develop into your higher self, regardless of what is happening around you, as this is a key factor in your personal growth.
Butterflies as messages from deceased loved ones or angels
In some cultures, butterflies are considered signs that your deceased loved ones are coming to you.
If a butterfly crosses your path and does something to attract attention, such as land on you, you may be getting a distant touch from someone you miss. And because of their transitory nature, they may disappear before you realize that someone you love has reached out to you.
They may have a special message to share, or they may just want you to know they’re watching and love you.
These beautiful insects are already little heavenly messengers, so it’s not a stretch to ask: are butterflies angels?
Many cultures and people believe that butterflies carry messages from heaven. Some Native American tribes even believed that butterflies carried their wishes to the Great Spirit, ensuring that their fervent prayers and needs were heard and came true.
So, the next time you see a butterfly, think it could be a little angelic messenger, appearing as a protective spirit with a message for you or to carry your message to the spirit realm.
Butterflies have such a magical presence and quality that it is easy to see why so much symbolism surrounds them. Many people believe that seeing a butterfly is indicative of a message that needs to be conveyed.
For these reasons, in certain religions and cultures, butterflies are sometimes seen as angels carrying messages between the spiritual and physical planes.
Although these butterflies never carry an explicit message, if you see a butterfly, take note of what needs to be addressed in your life. It could be one of your spiritual protectors addressing you.
It could even be a reminder to do something you’ve been putting off or to repair a broken relationship.
Meaning of butterflies in different cultures
People from many different cultures believe that animals have special powers granted by a higher source, such as the Divine or Mother Earth.
Meaning of the butterfly spirit in Native American cultures.
Different Native American tribes attribute different meanings to butterflies, but in general, most tribes view butterflies as “a positive symbol and believed that they should normally be regarded as comforting.”
- Meaning of the Blackfeet butterfly: The Blackfeet associate butterflies with sleep and dreaming, believing that butterflies deliver their dreams to them.
- Meaning of the Hopi butterfly: For the Hopi tribe, butterflies represent gratitude for freedom, a good harvest and beauty.
- Pueblo Butterfly Meaning: Pueblo legend holds that the butterflies were a gift from the Creator to the children, who was grieved “when he realized that his destiny was to grow old and become wrinkled, fat, blind and weak”.
Christian symbolism of the butterfly
The symbolism of the butterfly in Christianity is largely linked to the cocoon state and the appearance of the butterfly, which is considered a parallel to the biblical story of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Celtic butterfly symbolism
The Celtic symbolism of the butterfly is synonymous with rebirth; they are believed to represent the soul and are indicative of an important change to embrace in life.
The Irish have an old saying that “butterflies are the souls of the dead waiting to pass through purgatory”, and therefore symbolize the passage to the other world.
Chinese symbolism of the butterfly
In Chinese culture, butterflies symbolize “freedom, conjugal love, beauty and soul, but at the same time death, the vulnerability of life, feminine vanity and fleeting joy”.
They believe that seeing butterflies is a good sign that something positive awaits you if you know how to welcome it.
They also believe that seeing two butterflies together may indicate that you will live a long life. If you see a pair of butterflies flying together, it is considered an emblem of love, which may mean that you too will find love soon or that the person you love will come to see you.
What does it mean to dream of a butterfly or butterflies?
To dream of a butterfly is a sign of change. This meaning is synonymous with the idea of the transformation of the butterfly.
The process of transforming a caterpillar into its butterfly form is drastic, but it all works out in the end.
The difficult journey is a necessary part of the caterpillar’s life cycle. Like the caterpillar that builds its cocoon and waits to spread its wings, you see butterflies in your dreams because you have to grow.
The special thing about change is that it has to happen, whether we like it or not. Embrace the changes in your life, because there is much greatness ahead.
Meaning of butterfly tattoos
Butterflies are considered a symbol of good luck because they signify creativity, freedom, love and the concept of turning inward and growing as a person, as if you have built your own cocoon and are about to emerge with your wings.
This is probably why many people choose the butterfly as their “power animal”, and even get butterfly tattoos.
As butterflies are synonymous with renewal and rebirth, they can signify the passage from one phase of life to another, leaving behind the past and the things that do not serve you.
Butterfly tattoos exist in many different cultures, but they are often used in the same context: as a symbol of freedom for those who get them tattooed on their skin.
The next time you see a butterfly, let it remind you to use these great qualities to embark on your journey of growth.
Implement these powers in your daily life to start your brand new transformation.
The meaning of the butterfly according to its colors
Although there are a wide variety of butterfly species around the world with different colors, the most memorable feature of any butterfly is undoubtedly its remarkable wings.
So it should come as no surprise that seeing butterflies with different colored wings comes with a variety of more specific meanings.
- Meaning of the white butterfly: Purity, spiritual transformation, communication of deceased loved ones, good luck and peace.
- Meaning of the yellow butterfly: Joy and creativity, as well as a sign of a good summer.
- Meaning of the red butterfly: Supernatural creatures, possibly witches, which could be a harbinger of danger.
- Meaning of the black butterfly: Death, darkness before light and renewal.
- Meaning of the blue butterfly: A good omen of joy and luck, as well as honor and nobility.
- Meaning of the green butterfly: A good omen related to love or wealth.
- Meaning of the monarch butterfly: Strength, endurance, confidence and a sign that you are on the right path.
Meaning of brown butterfly
In some cultures, a brown or tan butterfly symbolizes a new life or a new beginning.
Seeing a brown butterfly also means that good news or important news will arrive soon. If a brown butterfly enters the house, it means that a letter or important message will arrive soon.
Some believe that when a brown (or white) butterfly enters the house it is the spirit or soul of a deceased loved one in the distant past. It can also mean that the actual soul of the individual is nearby.
Some say that if a brown butterfly enters your house, it may be the spirit of a loved one coming to warn you in advance of some unfortunate event or misfortune that could occur; in general, it may mean that you should be more cautious during the coming days.
If the first butterfly of the season is brown, it may indicate bad luck, so keep positive thinking and exercise extreme caution at this time.
A myth says that if a brown butterfly enters and flies around the house, that a great fortune will fall on the owner of the house.
In many cultures, especially in Filipino superstition, the meaning of brown butterfly is that it represents the money that will soon come to you. If it lands on you, it will bring you more luck.
Similarly, if a green or brown butterfly flies in and around the house, the owner of the house will be very lucky. Green and brown mean bills and money.
In some parts of Eastern Europe it is believed that brown butterflies may be a bad omen, or may mean that bad news is on the way.
