
There is no set traditional butterfly meaning that involves friendship. What Do Butterflies Symbolize in Friendship? This is among the many reasons that merely seeing a butterfly can give someone hope during a difficult time. Some feel that if they see a butterfly shortly after a loved one has died, it’s a message telling them their loved one’s soul still lives on. This interpretation of a butterfly’s meaning may be why some consider the appearance of butterflies to be signs from deceased loved ones. Once the butterfly sheds its physical form by emerging from the chrysalis, its soul persists, as if flying away to a happier place. Generally, though, the beautiful wings of the butterfly tend to represent the immortality of the human soul. The symbolic relationship between butterflies and death may vary somewhat from one culture to another. What Do Butterflies Symbolize in Death?īutterflies are one of many symbols of mourning or death. In general, transforming from a caterpillar into a butterfly can also represent the transition from being single to being in a committed marriage. It’s not uncommon for American weddings to involve the release of butterflies into the air after the ceremony is complete. Some Americans have a similar interpretation of butterflies. In Japanese culture, butterflies can suggest happiness in marriage. For example, evidence suggests pre-colonial Tswana people associated butterflies with romantic love, while the Chinese may associate butterflies with love when they see two butterflies flying together. Some specific cultures have clearly defined symbolic interpretations of butterflies regarding romantic love.

Butterflies can symbolize all of these changes. Other transitions that many people experience include getting married, becoming an adult, abandoning toxic situations or behaviors, and much more. Naturally, we must all die, making death a universal transition. The life of a butterfly embodies the idea of rebirth and transitioning to a new stage in existence.Įveryone’s life involves certain major transitions. It’s easy to understand why this type of life cycle would cause various cultures to assign symbolic meanings to butterflies. When they reach a certain stage of growth they begin to pupate in a chrysalis, before eventually emerging as beautiful winged creatures. Butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars. That said, most symbolic interpretations of butterflies have their basis in the unique life cycle of a butterfly. What butterflies symbolize in one culture may not precisely match what butterflies represent in another culture. Overview: What Do Butterflies Mean or Symbolize?Īs the following entries will make clear, butterfly meanings are abundant. They indicate that, wherever you are, there’s a decent chance that butterflies represent something very important to the people from there. This guide will offer just a sampling of the various butterfly meanings that have existed across different cultures, nations, and movements throughout history. For centuries (and perhaps longer), butterflies have represented everything from love to death. This may be why butterfly meanings and symbolism are easy to find in numerous cultures across the entire world.

What Do Butterflies Symbolize in the Bible?.What Do Butterflies Symbolize in Friendship?.What Do Butterflies Symbolize in Death?.Overview: What Do Butterflies Mean or Symbolize?.The vibrancy of their wings and the delicate way they navigate their environments give them a distinctly striking quality that few other insects or animals share. Many consider butterflies to be among the most beautiful creatures in the world.
