Butterfly (2024)

Butterfly (1)In its metamorphosis from the common, colorless caterpillar to the exquisite winged creature of delicate beauty, the butterfly has become a metaphor for transformation and hope; across cultures, it has become a symbol for rebirth and resurrection, for the triumph of the spirit and the soul over the physical prison, the material world. Among the ancients, is an emblem of the soul and of unconscious attraction towards light. It is the soul as the opposite of the worm. In Western culture, the butterfly represents lightness and fickleness. Note Owen Warland's spiritual progression in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Artist of the Beautiful as it parallels the development of the butterfly which he struggles to mechanically recreate. In China, secondary meanings of joy and bliss. Is very closely related to love, especially with wings and when being burned in Cupid's hand that is not holding the bow. Wantonness, especially in Shakespeare. In Yeats, the opposite of the hawk, intuition as opposed to logic.

(Related entry: ANIMALS).

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Butterfly (2024)

FAQs

Butterfly? ›

Butterflies (Rhopalocera) are insects that have large, often brightly coloured wings, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group comprises the superfamilies Hedyloidea (moth-butterflies in the Americas) and Papilionoidea.

What are butterflies known for? ›

Distinctive characteristics. Butterflies (and moths) are the only group of insects that have scales covering their wings, although some butterflies have reduced scales. They differ from other insects also by their ability to coil up their proboscis.

What are 3 facts about butterflies? ›

19 Fascinating Butterfly Facts
  • Butterflies taste with their feet.
  • A group of butterflies is sometimes called a flutter.
  • Their eyes are made of 6,000 lenses and can see ultraviolet light.
  • There are 165,000 known species of butterflies found on every continent except Antarctica.
Mar 15, 2015

What do butterflies tell us? ›

Ecosystem value

Butterflies and moths are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. They indicate a wide range of other invertebrates, which comprise over two-thirds of all species. Areas rich in butterflies and moths are rich in other invertebrates.

Why are butterflies so special? ›

Butterflies are valuable pollinators

These pretty insects have an essential role in the pollination of plants. Butterflies feed on nectar deep within flowers and rub up against pollen. This contains genetic material which attaches to the butterfly and is deposited in other flowers they visit.

Why are butterflies significant? ›

Butterflies are great for your garden as they are attracted to bright flowers and need to feed on nectar. When they do this their bodies collect pollen and carry it to other plants. This helps fruits, vegetables and flowers to produce new seeds.

What is a butterfly personality? ›

Butterflies — We all know the social butterfly! This personality is social and influencing. They need to interact with others and are friendly, charming, persuasive, talkative, impulsive, and optimistic. They are usually a good leader and can motivate others.

What abilities do butterflies have? ›

Some people will be surprised to learn that in addition to sensing ultraviolet light, butterflies can also emit ultraviolet light waves through their wings. Their wings are coated with minuscule scales that can reflect different color spectrums, depending on their shape and the angle of light that hits them.

What butterfly lives for 24 hours? ›

What butterfly lives for 24 hours? The mayfly spends two years as larva underwater but lives for only one day in its adult stage. It's one of the insects with the shortest life spans.

What does 🦋 mean from a guy? ›

A 😘 emoji could be his way of saying, “I like you.” This flirtatious emoji is the perfect addition to any text, whether he's complimenting you or saying goodnight. If you get a 😘 emoji, chances are he's got more than just a little crush. Send a 😘 emoji back to return his kiss.

What does butterfly mean in mythology? ›

The word for butterfly in formal Greek is psyche, thought to be the soul of the dead. Ancient Greeks also named the butterfly scolex (“worm”), while the chrysalis – which is the next stage of metamorphosis from a caterpillar – was called nekydallon, meaning “the shell of the dead” 2. Georgoulis KD. Psyche.

When a butterfly sits next to you? ›

Sign Of Good Luck

Some people believe that if a butterfly lands on you, it's a sign of good luck. Butterflies are often seen as symbols of hope and new beginnings, so it makes sense that finding one on you would be considered a good omen.

Do butterflies represent life? ›

Not surprisingly given their life path, the symbolism of butterflies embraces key themes of positive life forces such as rebirth and change. Some believe that seeing a butterfly is a message that you are about to go through your own rebirth or metamorphosis.

Do butterflies represent luck? ›

The first character 蝴 (hú) has a similar sound as the character 福 (fú) for "good fortune." This is why butterflies are symbols of good luck.

Are our butterflies good luck? ›

Are butterflies considered good luck? Some Native American tribes seem to think so. If you catch a butterfly, they say, whisper your wish to it and set it free. The butterfly will deliver your wish to the spirits, who will grant it.

What is the saying about butterflies? ›

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

Why are butterflies attracted to you? ›

Butterflies are attracted to the salt in your sweat.

Believe it or not, butterflies need salt or sodium in their diets, just like us! The natural salt and minerals in sweat can draw a butterfly to land on you. Think of it this way, your sweat is just as sweet as a flower's nectar to a butterfly.

Why are we not supposed to follow a red butterfly? ›

so the legend says, don't chase red butterflies. because they'll chase you back.

What does a butterfly symbolize in mental health? ›

There is no more striking symbol of transformation than a butterfly. From egg to larva, to leaving the safety of the cocoon and emerging as a butterfly in her unfurling glory, the transformation that takes place almost before our eyes symbolically represents hope and new beginnings.

What color butterfly means life? ›

Green Butterfly Meaning

The surface interpretation of green is one that denotes life, plenty, well-being, and goodwill.

What does a monarch butterfly mean spiritually? ›

Monarch Butterfly Spiritual Meaning

During the Day of the Dead holiday, the Mexican people see the arrival of monarchs as a spiritual symbol. Many believe the butterflies represent the souls of their ancestors returning to visit and bring comfort to loved ones.

What does butterflies mean emotion? ›

To "have butterflies" or "have butterflies in your stomach" means you have a nervous feeling in your stomach. The expression can also be used with "get" as in "get butterflies." Below are some examples of how this expression is used. Before his big speech he had butterflies in his stomach.

What butterfly represents anxiety? ›

The Monarch Butterfly is a majestic butterfly which has been chosen as a symbol for people affected by mental illness. In the early stage of its development, the cocoon like condition of the butterfly resembles the depressed and withdrawn feelings commonly shared by people whose lives are affected by mental illness.

How intelligent are butterflies? ›

However there is some evidence that certain butterflies do demonstrate intelligence and reasoning. Experiments have proven that Heliconius butterflies can learn home ranges within which they can memorise the locations of nectar and pollen sources, host plants and communal roosting sites.

Do butterflies have energy? ›

Butterflies like to sip nectar from flowers and juice from fruit, which gives them plenty of sugar for energy. But they also need salts and minerals that they get from “puddling” — drinking out of mud puddles, or wet spots on the ground. A group of male butterflies enjoying a puddle together is called a “puddle club.”

Do butterflies communicate with humans? ›

Butterflies don't communicate with speech like humans but have many other subtle ways to get their meaning across. From the anger they portray in their aerial flights, to the wafts of love they release to help find their mate, they are constantly communicating with each other and the world around them.

What do butterflies do at night? ›

Butterflies are active during the day, so at night they find a hiding place and go to sleep. In the same way, moths are active at night and during the day moths hide and rest. Animals that sleep during the night, like most butterflies, are diurnal.

How long do butterflies sleep? ›

Butterflies don't sleep like people do, but many species do take a rest in groups, a behavior called "roosting." Some may pause for just a night, while others roost for the entire winter season.

How do butterflies communicate? ›

Pheromones are chemicals that butterflies release into the air to communicate with other butterflies of the same species, and are usually involved in helping butterflies find a mate.

What does 😏 mean from a boy? ›

It's used to communicate a range of feelings, including smugness, self-confidence, self-indulgence, mischief, cheeky humor, and general satisfaction. 😏 Smirking Face especially implies, however, flirtation and sexual innuendo.

What does 😛 mean from a guy? ›

😛 Face with Tongue emoji

It's playful, cheeky, sassy, and can imply a joke, or a bit of lasciviousness.

What does 🙃 mean from a guy? ›

What does 🙃 mean from a guy? This emoji often represents sarcasm and humor, and it's also an indication of awkwardness and frustration. Most guys include it in their messages mainly for these reasons.

What is the symbol of butterfly in death? ›

The most commonly reported “sign” from a deceased loved one is the butterfly. And that makes a lot of sense since butterflies represent the human soul in many cultures. They also symbolize endurance, hope, and the life cycle.

What God sends butterflies? ›

Psyche (/ˈsaɪkiː/; Greek: Ψυχή, romanized: Psukhḗ Ancient Greek: [psyːkʰɛ̌ː]; Greek pronunciation: [psiˈçi]) is the Greek goddess of the soul and often represented as a beautiful woman with butterfly wings.
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Psyche (mythology)
Psyche
Goddess of the soul
Psyche Abandoned by Pietro Tenerani
SymbolButterfly wings
Personal information
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What is the symbol of butterfly in human? ›

The butterfly is one of the most famous totems symbolizing personal transformation. In Christianity, it is a symbol of resurrection and in Greek culture it symbolizes the spirit and its immortality.

Do butterflies appear when angels are near? ›

Nature's Winged Messengers…

You may also have heard the saying 'Butterflies are the heaven-sent kisses of an angel'. It's believed that a butterfly – particularly if it catches your eye by doing something unusual, such as landing on your hand – can also be a sign that the spirit of your loved one lives on.

Do butterflies mean you're falling in love? ›

Story highlights. Butterflies in your stomach, a racing heartbeat—you probably remember those symptoms well from your first middle school crush. As an adult, they're actually your body's subtle clues that you're falling in love (or lust, at least).

What do the different butterfly colors mean? ›

Blue is associated with peace, tranquility, and trust. Yellow is associated with happiness, joy, and optimism. White is often seen as a symbol of new beginnings, innocence, and purity. Orange is associated with creativity, energy, and passion.

Why is a butterfly a spirit animal? ›

Butterfly as a Spirit Animal

If the butterfly is your spirit animal, you are always evolving. You understand the process of transformation and flowing with the cycles of life. This ability helps you to dance light-heartedly throughout the day.

What color butterfly is lucky? ›

Sighting a white butterfly can bring spiritual awakening, peace and trust, and other pleasant emotions. White butterflies are also believed to be a sign of good luck. They often appear where the energy is high, and Native Americans believe seeing white butterflies is a sign that summer is coming.

Are butterflies a symbol of marriage? ›

Butterflies also represent a passionate bond and an endless love. Many brides release butterflies on their wedding day in hopes that they take the good news of the day with them as they fly away.

What are butterflies known as? ›

The butterfly's scientific name is Lepidoptera which is Greek for "scale winged." They have three body parts: the head, the thorax and the abdomen. Just like the other members of the insect family, butterflies have 6 jointed legs which are joined to the thorax. The wings are attached to the thorax also.

What is the behavior of a butterfly? ›

The three P's in butterfly behavior are puddling, patrolling and perching. You have probably seen all three of these actions when you have observed your butterflies but you most likely had no idea what these beautiful creatures were doing.

How would you describe a butterfly in creative writing? ›

Here are some adjectives for a butterfly:
  1. Beautiful.
  2. Colourful.
  3. Delicate.
  4. Winged.
  5. Tropical.
  6. Bright.
  7. Rare.

What is love of butterflies called? ›

A lover of butterflies is called lepidopterist.

What are people who like butterflies called? ›

Lepidopterist Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster.

What do you call a lot of butterflies? ›

A group of butterflies is officially called a kaleidoscope. Isn't that fun?! Sometimes they are referred to as a swarm.

What is a butterfly's strongest sense? ›

By far the most important sense for butterflies is smell—the sensors on their antennae are highly attuned to odors. Butterflies can also taste. They have "taste buds" at the end of the tongue, and females taste plants to identify them by using sensory structures on their feet.

What does butterfly symbolizes in psychology? ›

There is no more striking symbol of transformation than a butterfly. From egg to larva, to leaving the safety of the cocoon and emerging as a butterfly in her unfurling glory, the transformation that takes place almost before our eyes symbolically represents hope and new beginnings.

What are two important traits of a butterfly? ›

They have two pairs of membranous (transparent) wings that are covered with tiny scales which give colour, rigidity, and strength. It consists of large compound eyes having many light-sensitive lenses, both the eyes have their own refractive system and each form its own portion of the image.

What are butterflies emotionally? ›

We all know the expression “butterflies in my stomach” and we all tend to agree on what that feeling signifies for us at a psychological level. We use this expression to describe feeling nervous, anxious, or excited.

What does it mean to be called a butterfly? ›

a person who is not responsible or serious, and who is likely to change activities easily or only be interested in pleasure: She's such a social butterfly.

What are some inspirational butterfly words? ›

Inspirational butterfly quotes from unknown sources

“You've gotta be a caterpillar before you are a butterfly. Problem is, most people aren't willing to be a caterpillar.” “A butterfly always reminds us that there is always beauty at the end of all the pain.” “Don't conform to the world.

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