Butterflies are insects with large and usually beautifully collared wings. They also have a noticeable fluttering flight. These insects’ origins date way back in time. Their oldest fossils are from around 56 years ago.
Butterflies’ lives consist of different cycles, through which they must go to reach the stage of adults. Their metamorphosis is truly amazing. Many butterfly species are migratory and they cross long distances on that path.
They have many natural predators, but they themselves can sometimes be considered pests because of their larvae, which can cause great damage to crops and trees while feeding.
Butterflies can also be considered useful because they pollinate some plants.
Because of their long history, butterflies’ symbolism has been used by humans for millennia.
We can see them depicted in the art of many cultures throughout the world. In the ancient civilizations of the Middle and South America, butterflies carved in temples, and used as inspiration for jewelry, and other ornaments.
In these cultures, butterflies were sometimes considered incarnations of the souls of the warriors killed in battles.
In Japan, the butterfly was considered a personification of a person’s soul, living, dying or dead already. In Japan swarms butterflies were considered as a bad omen and a sign of evil that is about to happen.
Butterflies are considered as symbols of the human soul in many cultures throughout the world.
The ancient Romans believed that the soul was leaving a person’s body through the mouth, and they often depicted is a butterfly exiting the mouth of a dead person. In many cultures the butterflies are symbols of rebirth.
Black butterflies or moths are often considered a bad omen, forewarning death.
In Germany, butterflies are considered souls of dead children. In Russia, butterflies are also considered symbols of human souls. In the middle ages in Ireland, it was prohibited to kill butterflies because they were considered the souls of dead children.
Butterflies entering human houses are considered visits from our departed ancestors in many cultures in the world. Such appearances were often considered a consolation and confirmation that all will be well.
In Christianity, the butterfly is considered a symbol of spiritual transformation and rebirth of Christ, because of the stages of metamorphosis it goes through.
The caterpillar symbolizes being preoccupied with ourselves and the physical, the chrysalis phase represents the tomb, where the phase of miracles and resurrection happens, and the emerging of the butterfly from the cocoon, symbolizes the rebirth of Christ.
The other symbolism related to butterflies is related to the process of our birth life and death. It starts with the fertilized eggs which resemble our development in the womb.
After birth, we lead a life of continually repeating the same actions, eating, sleeping, then eating again, doing something in between, until death comes.
When we die, we resemble the pupa in the chrysalis. The final stage is the emergence of the butterfly from the cocoon, which resembles the emergence of our consciousness from the dead body.
In Christian images, the human souls are often depicted with images of butterflies.
Besides being a powerful symbol of the human soul, butterflies also symbolize major life change, changes, hope, endurance, life itself.
They are a symbol of a significant transformation we are going through, whether internally or externally. They also symbolize the cycles of life, playfulness, the development of spirit, detaching from the material world, etc.
Spiritual Meaning of Butterfly Crossing Your Path
When the butterfly begins crossing your path, especially if it crosses it often, be prepared to experience some amazing things.
Although the butterfly’s appearance could have many different meanings, we will list some of the most common ones:
Transformation or metamorphosis
One of the main messages that the butterfly might be bringing into your life is the one of transformation. When you begin seeing butterflies everywhere or you suddenly become attracted to these beautiful insects, it is a clear sign that you are undergoing a serious personal transformation in your life, or that such a transformation is about to start soon.
Maybe you will be forced to get rid of all the things from the past which have been preventing you from being where you want to be.
Maybe you will be forced to confront some repressed issues from the past, which is something that was blocking you from moving forward.
These issues can be some bad memories and hurt, unresolved emotional issues with some people, unrequited feelings, feelings like resentment, anger, guilt, fear, etc.
All these issues that you haven’t addressed in time will rise up on the surface during this period to be dealt with and left behind. You need to clear the path for your new beginnings.
Significant life-changing events
The butterfly might come across you during times of experiencing some significant life changes. These changes are usually related to the shifts of major life cycles in your life, such as becoming mature, going to college, moving house, getting married, getting a job, facing old age and its challenges, etc.
The butterfly’s appearance is there to help you and encourage you to go through these events as easy as possible and accept the new circumstances as soon as you can.
It encourages you to take action and speed up the process of change or acceptance.
You know that is for your best not to make a big deal of these things. You need to go with the flow, just like the butterfly does.
Getting rid of some truly bad habits you have
Butterflies often appear in our lives as a reminder to change something in our attitude which is not serving our highest good. That usually refers to some bad habits we have, which are potentially ruining our health, creating problems in our everyday lives, creating problems in our relationships with others, or causing blockages to our progress.
It is up to you to grasp which of your habits could be potentially harming, and begin a process of changing them.
That might not always be as easy, especially if you’ve had these habits for a long time, or they have become an addiction, but with persistence and determination, you will eventually be able to change.
Whenever you see a butterfly during that process, you will know that you are on the right path.
Maybe you are a bit too serious
Butterflies symbolize playfulness and when they appear in your life, that might be a clear sign that you have been taking life to seriously lately. Your life has possibly turned into one giant obligation and routine. The butterfly is asking you to change that. Find time to do things you enjoy and which relax you.
Break the self-imposed routine. Go somewhere. Meet new people and see new places. You will feel so much better. Just look at the care-free look that a butterfly gives away.
There’s no reason to why you shouldn’t be that way too?
You need to emerge from your cocoon
The butterfly can cross your path to remind you of the need to open up a bit. Maybe you have been closed off in your lonely world, surrounded by few people, or sometimes being completely alone. Maybe you have isolated yourself for some reasons, such fear of being hurt, or some other reasons.
Isolating and retreating can sometimes be good if we want to charge our batteries or simply rest, but humans are social beings, and being away from others for a long time can have devastating effects on our lives.
So, when a butterfly comes in your life, it could be to remind you to go out in the world and open up to people.
You need to take risks if you want to gain something. Maybe something wonderful awaits you right around the corner. You only need the courage to take the first step.
Enjoy life more
One of the simple reasons why the butterfly might appear in your life is to remind you to begin enjoying life more. Maybe you have been so stuck in your daily routine and obligations that you have forgotten to enjoy the beautiful things in life, or you simply don’t have time for that.
When the butterfly appears, ask yourself if that is true for your life.
If you realize that you have stopped smiling and enjoying the small pleasures that life has to offer, it is about time to change something in your life. Release and reorganize as many duties as you can to free up space for your own joy.
Do whatever makes you happy and satisfied, and spend time with people who elate you. You will suddenly feel as if your whole life has changed.
In reality, you will simply get your old life back and replace it for the life of chains you have unconsciously created.
Powerful spiritual evolvement
Butterflies are symbols of the soul and a powerful spiritual symbol. When a butterfly crosses your path, and it crosses it often, that is a true sign that you are on the right path.
Your spiritual evolvement is on the way and you are getting closer to spiritual awakening and for some, it could be a sign of getting near to true spiritual enlightenment.
