RE: Butterfly symbolism
Hi,
I have delved into The Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot (a great resource if you love symbolism) and he says that among the ancients, an emblem of the soul and of unconscious attraction towards the light. The purification of the soul by fire, represented in Romanesque art by the burning ember placed by the angel in the prophet's mouth, is visually portrayed on a small Mettei urn by means of an image of love holding a butterfly close to a flame.
The Angel of Death was represented by the Gnostics as a winged foot crushing a butterfly, from which we may deduce that the butterfly was equated with life rather than with the soul in the sense of the spirit or transcendent being. This alsy explains why psychoanalysis regards the butterfly as a symbol of rebirth. In China it has the secondary meanings of joy and conjugal bliss.
Food for thought.
Luv Binah
x
RE: Butterfly symbolism
Likewise, I regularly see butterflies and they're a joy to behold. I've always understood them to be a symbol of regeneration, rebirth, transformation etc. 🙂
RE: Butterfly symbolism
As far as I am aware, the butterfly is symbolic of transformation. That can be interpreted in many ways from death, to a new life (job, relationship, etc) The symbolism for you is personal to you, so if you sit quietly and ask the question, the answer will come to you. It may not come in a form you expect aqnd it may not come straight away. I feel that, deep down, you already know.
I love butterflies. It is said birds are the messengers of Angels and, for me, butterflies are too (some say faeries and that's fine by me!) They always uplift me.
I hope you discover your meaning.
JA
RE: Butterfly symbolism
I have recently moved to Somerset after a BIG upheaval from my 'normal' life. The other day I came home and there was a most beautiful butterfly sitting on the edge of the letterbox! I thought it might fly away asI gently unlocked the door but it just sat perched there looking at me and gently opening and closing its wings. When I opened the door I asked if it wanted to come in but at that it took off very gently and then flew away. I took it as a sign that my 're-birth' had been acknowleged by the Universe!
Love and light
reikiangel
xxx
RE: Butterfly symbolism
I have been seeing butterflies for months now, it seems everywhere I go, they are around me, even to the point of looking up one day and suddenly seeing a huge painting of one on the side of a building... I had never noticed it before! I did know that they represent change, transformations and metamorphosis and it is definately reflecting my life just now. Kind of comforting actually, and they are so beautiful!:D
HFxx