∫ The Butterfly ∫

 

Butterfly
Evolved energy
Flitting, Gliding, Dancing
Delicate on my finger
Symbolic

 

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While gardening yesterday, a butterfly landed on my hand. It seemed to do so with conviction, as it flew from the nectar of flowers directly to my hand. It rested for several moments before moving to my finger. Once on my finger, it stayed for a couple of minutes. Amazed by this exciting incident, I researched the symbolism of butterflies.

After reading several articles, I discovered some symbolic meanings of the butterfly include Resurrection, Transition, Celebration, Lightness, Time and Soul. The areas with the most information were transition and soul.

Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls – linking animal symbolism of faith with the butterfly. Faith in accepting transformation and change with grace. In some cultures, butterflies are seen as the departed souls of people’s ancestors.

“Psyche” is Greek for both soul and butterfly. In Greek mythology, Psyche, Greek goddess of the soul, is represented in the form of a butterfly. Befittingly, Psyche is forever linked with love as she and Eros, the Greek god of love, (also known in Roman myth as Cupid) shared an endlessly passionate bond of love. In the Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love.

Around the world, people accept the butterfly as symoblic of the soul as well representing endurance, change, hope, and life. In the Christian faith, the butterfly represents resurrection; depicted on ancient Christian tombs, as well as Christ has been illustrated holding a butterfly in Christian art.

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Image by Jeff Shea

Sources of information on butterfly include:
Animal symbolism
Wikipedia

© rgb for “On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea”, 2011