Butterflies have served as an inspiration for lovers of nature and freedom, perhaps because of their bright colors or their shape that seems to come out of a fairy tale. These vibrant insects achieve a mesmerizing effect on their viewers and have been 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 between mythology and worldview as a spiritual symbol associated with the soul. They are synonymous with transformation due to their capacity for metamorphosis, at the same time as making evident how ephemeral earthly life can be, which in the end is destined for transcendence. The amazing metamorphosis they go through, from a caterpillar to a butterfly, represents the journey of the soul that is initially in the earthly body, but is destined for transmutation into a divine body.
Ancient cultures such as the Greek represented the soul with the wings of the butterfly. The goddess Psyche was depicted 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 one where the soul is freed from the ties of this world, thanks to its ability to transform.
Japanese culture, for its part, had the belief that humans can reincarnate into these beautiful insects to take care of their loved ones. It was even thought that humans could project their souls into butterflies while they were sleeping, in order 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 cleanliness of the most innocent souls.
The psychological meaning of butterflies
The metamorphosis keeps in itself the meanings and signifiers that the human mind immediately associates with the change. In this sense, the possibility of being reborn and even of the eternal return that is present in the subjective construction of man is observed. It plays an extremely important role in the structure of the personality, which endows it with resilient characteristics to be reborn again.
Like monarch butterflies that undertake a migratory journey and challenge the understanding of life, the soul is capable of breaking with the apparently known to achieve transcendence.
It can also mean the search for happiness, which the more one desperately pursues, the less one achieves. Just like butterflies, happiness lands on us when we least seek it, since it is achieved when we live and enjoy the here and now. Not when thoughts constantly run ahead of the present.
Meaning of butterflies by their colors
White: The white color 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 pattern to get closer to those from whom we have been away for one reason or another. The important thing is to stay together and in harmony.
Red: The symbol par excellence 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 more of a turning point, an opportunity to reflect in the dark and get back on track.
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