Made by Collecta. Beautiful details on the Monarch butterfly.
Pretty much wherever there are people, there are butterflies. So it’s perhaps not surprising that they are rich in symbolism for cultures around the world.
In most cases, the meaning centers around the butterfly’s astonishing life cycle. Its development from drab caterpillar to beautiful winged creature makes it an obvious metaphor for transformation. And its often bright colors and fluttering movements also see it associated with vibrancy and joy.
For the Navajo people, butterflies symbolize rebirth and happiness.
One of the gods of the ancient Aztecs took the form of a butterfly. He was able to transform into different guises, mirroring the butterfly’s evolution from a caterpillar.
The ancient Egyptians associated butterflies with the human soul. Depictions of butterflies are found in tomb paintings, where they appear to represent the spirit’s life beyond death.
In Mexico, monarch butterflies are also associated with death. Their migration to the country coincides with the festival of the Day of the Dead. They are believed to welcome the souls of the dead.
In spiritual terms, of course, death is viewed as a form of transformation. While one phase is ending, it opens the way for a new phase to begin.