Symbolism and butterflies
Man has connected with the natural world throughout time. Many cultures, both native and ancient, have used the energy and symbolism of the natural world as totems to guide and teach. A totem is a natural object, animal or insect, that has special meaning to that person. The Chinese Zodiac is based on animal signs. Native Americans have used characteristics of animals to learn virtues of strength, patience, cleverness, and much more.
Butterflies are common throughout the world. There are over 28,000 species of butterflies and 80% of those exist in tropical regions. Although they symbolize different things to different cultures, universally, they represent change and transformation. Why? Because the butterfly is an insect that begins its life in one form and ends it in another. It starts as a crawling creature that ‘hibernates ’ in a cocoon, only to rejoin the world as a flying insect.
Butterfly symbolism in Christianity: Resurrection.
The Christian culture views the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. As represented in the story of Christ, who died on the cross, was buried in a tomb for three days, and then, came to life again to offer hope to all Christians for life after death, it is an especially significant symbol during the Easter season. The butterfly can be seen as the insect who ‘dies ’ as a caterpillar, is buried in the cocoon for a length of time, and emerges in a new life-that as a creature who has the ability to transcend the ordinary and take flight into the heavens. In many spiritual circles the butterfly represents the spirit or soul.
Butterfly symbolism in Asia: Longevity and Love
There is a legend in Mandarin China that a young man found himself in the garden of a wealthy Mandarin. It was forbidden for it was an act of trespass-an intrusion of this commoner on the life of a rich man. Why did he venture into this prohibited area? He was chasing a beautiful butterfly. What happened in the end is a tale of love. The Mandarin ’s daughter fell in love and they married.
In the Mandarin language, the word butterfly is ‘hu-tieh ’. Tieh means ’70 years ’, therefore, the butterfly became symbolic of a long-life. To the Chinese, two butterflies flying together represent love. In Japan, the butterfly represents both hopeful maidens and marital bliss. In the United States butterflies being released at the end of a wedding ceremony is symbolic of love and a promising marriage.
Native American Butterfly Legends
Some tribes in the Native American culture believe that butterflies can take one ’s wishes up to the Great Spirit. Capture a butterfly, whisper your wish to it, and release it to the heavens. It is believed that all wishes will be granted in gratitude for the freedom of this delicate creature. Other Native American stories include the story of the ‘Children who refused to walk ’. In order to get the babies to move from four legs to two a handful of pebbles were thrown into the air and as they scattered they changed into beautifully colored butterflies. The children were so delighted they jumped up and began to chase the butterflies.
Some people believe that the Fancy Shawl Dance, as exhibited in ceremonial Powwows, is believed to have been derived from the ‘butterfly dance ’. It is the story of a young butterfly whose mate was killed in battle. After removing her beautiful wings she wrapped herself in a drab cocoon and isolated in her lodge. Family and friends stopped by to console her, but she was wrought with grief. Not wanting to be a burden to her tribe she took her wings and medicine bundle and journeyed far and wide.
As she traveled across field and streams, she stepped lightly on each stone, her eyes downcast. It was in this way that she spotted a beautiful stone and her grieving heart was healed. Filled with gratitude for a new life of joy and renewal, she shrugged off the cocoon unwrapped her wings and began to dance a joyful dance.
When she arrived back to her tribe she told her People of the journey she took and the healing stone she discovered. In celebration, the People danced to celebrate a new beginning. To this day, the butterfly dance is danced using brightly adorned shawls in The Fancy Shawl Dance.
The Butterfly as an Animal Totem
From a very early age the butterfly has been one of my totems. Growing up, I remember being enchanted by the graceful movements and vibrant colors of the butterfly. Sitting quietly on a summer ’s day I would observe the markings and delicacy of their wings, antennas and legs. I was not one to capture them in a jar, but was content to run through the fields scattering them off of their food source to see them flutter in the air. They were bright ‘birds ’ of joy.
One can appreciate butterfly artwork, craftsmanship in jewelry, and through photography, but it does not compare to the experience of observing butterflies directly. As a lover of butterflies I am always on the lookout for them in the spring and summer. If I do not see them in my own yard I will travel to an exhibit. In the summer of 2009 I drove to Norfolk, Virginia to view the exhibit at their Norfolk Botanical Gardens. I was able to capture several of these colorfully winged creatures as they flitted around the enclosure.
There are many places you can view a butterfly exhibit. One of the best websites to find where an exhibit may be located in your vicinity is www.butterflywebsite.com In that site there is a link to a place where one can investigate how to help distressed butterflies. Due to our changing environment, including the obliteration of fields and natural butterfly habitats, as well as polluted air, butterflies experience many survival challenges. This wonderful link will connect you with people who will offer tips in aiding a hurt butterfly: www.butterflyrescue.org
Monarch Butterfly
I am starting the photo lineup with the Monarch. This beautiful, and easily identified, orange and black butterfly is part of the Brushfoot Family. Brushfoots are a category of butterflies that are identified by their feet. The feet of a Brushfoot member are shaped similar to brushes. The Monarch is one of the larger sized butterflies. It is common throughout the United States, Mexico and Lower Canada.
Anise Swallowtail Butterfly
This next butterfly is definitely a member of the Swallowtail family. It is identified both by the size, (large), and it ’s ‘tail ’. In this photo, the yellow marking on the top wings, as well as the dots of blue towards the edge, help me to match it to the Anise Swallowtail. It is common throughout the United States and Mexico.
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly? Brushfoot Family
The third photo is a mystery. The closest that I can place it from the book, Butterflies of North America, by Jeffrey Glassberg, is that of the Gulf Fritillary, part of the Brushfoot Family. If any butterfly expert can confirm or correct my findings, I would appreciate it.
The Common Buckeye Butterfly
My last photo is that of the Common Buckeye. These butterflies are very easily identified by the circular ‘eye ’ markings across their wings. They are members of the Brushfoot family. Their coloring is brown, and they are a medium sized butterfly.
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