Butterflies: Magical Creatures with Spiritual Meaning

Butterflies are beautiful earthly magical creatures, that's out of question. Symbolically, we conceive of them even as angelic and mystical beings full of colors. Well let me tell you about it: this is a common belief that has lasted the test of time through various civilizations and human epochs. Most of the ancient people who inhabited planet Earth agreed on the spiritual meaning of butterflies. Please, stay with us, as we take you on an exploration of the world of butterflies, their colors, their shapes and the different spiritual meanings of their presence. Let's dive into: Butterflies: Magical Creatures with Spiritual Meaning.

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Butterflies are common day-flying insects and belong to the family of Rophalocera. They evolved from moths which are actually their relatives, nowadays. Their life-cycle is strictly connected to flowering plants. Just like their moth relatives, butterflies have four wings covered with scales which are displayed in a huge array of patterns and colors. When not flying, the wings of a butterfly are folded back and they beautifully stretch out when airborne.

But the most interesting fact perhaps, about butterflies - apart from their wide range of colors and patterns in their wings - is the complexity of their life cycle.

Just like any insect that goes through a complete process of metamorphosis, butterflies go over four different stages in life. First, adult female butterflies lay their eggs on flowers. Second, the egg hatches as a larva (better known as caterpillar). After just the right amount of time passes, the larva becomes a chrysalis.

The chrysalis goes through a stage of complete modification within and after some time, a beautiful butterfly comes into existence. There is a worldwide and even distribution of butterflies, hence the variety that exists among them.

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Blue and Black Swallowtail Butterfly Under Green Leaf
Blue and Black Swallowtail Butterfly Under Green Leaf from Pixabay

Do Butterflies Carry Spiritual Meaning?

Have you ever felt mesmerized by the presence of a butterfly? I guess you have. Commonly, a beautiful and deep sense of peace and calmness comes when we are in contact with nature, but butterflies are particularly powerful in this sense. It might be because of their beautiful colors and patterns, it might be because of their size, even that silent but yet so rhythmical flying, we'll never know. But no human on earth can remain motionless in the presence of a butterfly. It comes as no surprise then, that for centuries we've been fascinated by these winged creatures.

The symbolism of butterflies is based largely on the representation of life. In some other cultures butterflies have a significantly close connection to the soul. Christians associate butterflies with the ideas of elevation, ascension, of a pursuit of refined creativity, transformation and spiritual reincarnation.

But where does all this come form? It probably takes its full symbolism from the life cycle of a butterfly that we described before, providing meaningful insight into human lives. Butterflies in their first stages as a caterpillar, must retreat to themselves as they gain the necessary strength for living outwards. Does it ring a bell? When we are in phases of spiritual growth, we undergo the same process. We keep to ourselves to understand us better, and then we unravel into beautiful butterflies again that contribute joy and beauty to the world and our loved ones.

At some point or another in life, we must behave like cocoons, retreated from the outer world to reemerge from within with a greater strength and a clearer purpose. The question remains, though: what does it mean when a butterfly visits you? Well, that will depend on some factors... Let's check!

Butterflies and Colors

First of all, let's consider their colors. The shades of a butterfly might determine the meaning that they carry.

  • 🔴 Red Butterfly: Many ancient civilizations believed that a red butterfly embodies a soul, a presence form other plain of existence. So say hi if you see one!
  • 🟡 Yellow Butterfly: If you are loosing clarity and feeling overwhelmed by thoughts, good that you find a yellow butterfly. It's a wake up call to stay clear...
  • 🟢 Green Butterfly: The color green is associated in many cultures with good luck, and a green butterfly is no exception to this. If you are visited by a green butterfly, money and emotional healing are on their way!
  • 🔵 Blue Butterfly: If you are persistent in your desires and dreams, the presence of a blue butterfly can grant you wishes...
  • 🟣 Purple Butterfly: The message of purple butterflies has to do with divine intervention. So if you are going through difficult times, the presence of a purple butterfly means you don't have to lose hope because help is coming!
  • ⚫️ Black Butterfly: This is clearly an invitation to go inside, to look inward and see what's going on. It may also represent a sudden change in your life path.
  • ⚪️ White Butterfly: A white butterfly over your head? Smile and be grateful. Someone you lost is taking care and guiding you.
  • 🟤 Brown Butterfly: If you encounter a brown butterfly it means that good news are coming. They usually bring fresh starts, too.
monarch butterfly on a woman\'s hand
Monarch Butterfly - Ella Wei from Pexels

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies are one of the most precious and breathtakingly beautiful species of butterfly. They are precious to collectors and butterfly lovers. The existence of some ancient texts suggest that if a monarch visits you, it means that your guardian angels are close.

The connection of butterflies and angelic representations has been present over the centuries, so if you experience this, don't worry and be grateful! You are doing well and on the right path.

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Butterfly: Spiritual Meaning, An allegory to our Spiritual journey

There is no doubt that there is a sort of natural, innate magical energy about butterflies: how attractive they are, the noble activity they carry to keep natural balance, their extremely complex life.

As we said, a butterfly starts as an egg that hatches into a larva or caterpillar. After the right amount of time, it becomes a pupa where she patiently waits to unfold as a gorgeous creature.

Now, think about this in more spiritual terms, try to think about our short journey here on earth. Isn't it something of the sort? As humans, we also start as embryos, we continue learning and growing from childhood to adulthood to become the best, most beautiful and kind versions of ourselves. Likewise, we remain in our cocoons as we explore and study ourselves, and whenever ready we unfold our wings and share our true essence to the world outside!

wild butterfly sitting on flower in garden
Wild Butterfly - Godson Bright from Pexels

Guardian Angels Might Be Near

Among different spiritual philosophies, it's widely believed that winged creatures are signs of the presence of Angels. Angels manifest most commonly in the natural world, as changes in the weather or chance animal sightings. It comes as natural then, the association between the divine presence of angels and butterflies.

Would you like to attract the presence of your guardians? Well, what about starting with butterfly imagery? Buy little pictures, collect your own specimens or if you have the chance you can create a cozy butterfly garden and you can place a bench right there, why not? Butterflies will enjoy your beautiful garden and you'll be attracting their good energy and abundance.

So, whenever you spot a group of butterflies or you catch butterflies following you, bear in mind that you are being guarded by your angels. Say thanks!

Greetings from a Lost Loved One

Personally, I consider this the most beautiful and touching of all spiritual messages associated with butterflies. It is believed that when a love one passes away, they may use animals to get to you and deliver a message. A soul that has left this plain of existence is now shapeless and free from the structure of the body. So, when they want to be close to you they may come in the form of a butterfly, a dragonfly, and some other beautiful and heavenly winged creatures.

How do I know? you may be asking yourself at this point. Quiet the mind and focus on the heart, on the instinct of your guts and you'll just simply know. Probably a warming and very rewarding sense of wholeness invades you and that's perfectly okay because you got the message: everything is fine and your are not alone!

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woman holding a black butterfly on her hands
Black Butterfly - Reign Abarintos from Unsplash

Dreams about Butterflies

Well, the meaning of the butterfly in your dream will be up to how they appear in your oneiric experience. Is your dream about a cocoon, a fully grown butterfly or a caterpillar? This might be a good start for interpretation

If you dream about a cocoon, it might be that you have recently experienced detachment and isolation. A sort of closed off feeling. If this is the case, the butterfly may pay a visit while you rest to say wake up! Life is short! Go out there and live a fully adventurous life at its fullest! Nourish from experience, stay bright and creative!

The classic interpretation however is that connected to the metamorphosis process.If a butterfly is flying in your dream it might be signaling huge transformation approaching, a change over the horizon or something that you are already living and you remain totally unaware of. Be grateful then, your life is enriching and your universe expanding.

Simply put, now you definitely have a bunch of information about the magical vibes of butterflies, so next time you come across one, just observe them and grasp all that positivity!

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Gisela Possetto

Copywirter, Cats + Tattoos + Music Lover

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