By Ina Woolcott
Native Americans see the butterfly as a symbol of joy. Feeding on the flowers they help pollinate, they further spread beauty.
Butterflies eyes consist of thousands of individual lenses. This gives them the gift of being able to see a single image clearly. They can perceive ultraviolet wavelengths of light, suggesting clairvoyant abilities for those with Butterfly as power animal. The antennae of the butterfly has small knobs on each end which are said to aid orientation. If an antennae is missing the butterfly will fly in circles unable to find its way. If butterfly is your ally you need to remain consciously connected to spirit at all times so you may fulfil your goals.
Butterfly is the symbol of change, the soul, creativity, freedom, joy and colour. Their power is transformation, shape shifting and soul evolution. They represent the element of air, quickly changing and always on the move gracefully. Butterflies are messengers of the moment and come in a wide array of colours. Studying these colours can help you uncover butterflies message to you. It reminds us not to take things too seriously and to get up and move. They teach us that growth and transformation does not have to be a traumatic experience. It can be joyous. Butterflies possess the ability to grow and change, leaving the safety of their cocoon to discover a new world in a new form without fear, trusting their untested wings to fly without a doubt in their minds. They work through many important stages to become the beautiful creature they are. Similar to the butterfly, we too are always moving through different stages, each equally as vital. It is no good rushing to a particular stage, nor is it good getting stuck at a stage and becoming stagnant. Butterfly is a potent symbol for those considering, or in the throes of, a big change. Butterfly is also one of the most inspiring symbols of the animal world, knowing precisely the time to leave the comfort and limitation of its cocoon, flying freely into the world. Quite frequently, we are not so certain. The cocoon of our thoughts and fears may be limiting, they are also safe and familiar. We can become afraid of what may be outside of our limiting thoughts and belief systems, trapping us and holding us back from ourselves, from our dreams and desires, from our unlimited potential.
We can learn how to move on, how to grow from and improve a situation by finding out which stage we are at. This may be the egg stage, the beginning – where an idea is born and not yet reality. The larvae stage is when you physically get your idea going, usually involving preparation such as planning. The cocoon stage entails developing your ideas, project or talent. The ultimate stage of transformation is coming out of the chrysalis, the birth of the butterfly. This last stage is about sharing the colours and ecstasy of your creation with the rest of the world. Remember that we are always evolving, growing and that we are always at one of these stages. Figure out which stage you are at, whether you need more time to complete one stage before being ready going on to the next. Be careful not to rush, nor get stuck either.
Not all change feels deliberate, it can be very subtle. Such as losing a job and then circumstances pushing you in to a new direction. There may have been things going on within you, getting you ready for a change subconsciously, that you didn’t even recognise. If you are feeling insecure and unsure of what is going on in your life right now, then look back over what has been going on in your life recently or even long ago. Have you ever wished that you had a different job? Of changing career? Are you able to see that on some level your wishes are coming true? I’m sure you will remember the good old saying ‘be careful what you wish for..’ What you focus on, is sure to manifest.
Butterfly can help you see that exiting the cocoon suddenly opens a new door, that there is power in trust and vulnerability. No more than you does a butterfly know whether it can fly, but it opens its wings in perfect confidence, and discovers that their delicacy allow its graceful flight, its dance in the air. When we understand that transformation can be as natural as breathing, when we take ourselves lightly, when we trust in our own untried wings to support us, we learn the message of Butterfly, life itself is a joyous dance. Dance brings us the sweetness of life.
The four stages of the butterflies growth are parallel to the development of our first forming a thought to manifesting it in the outer world. Understanding that change can be as natural as breathing. We mustn’t be so hard on ourselves, trusting that our own untried wings will bear our weight. This is when we receive the Butterflies gift: life itself is extraordinary and amazing. If Butterfly has found you, take note of the most important issues in your life and see what needs to be changed.
If an eco system becomes damaged, butterfly is usually first to leave, as they are highly sensitive to the harmony of the earth. If butterfly finds you and is unwell, hurt or caught, this is an indication that you must stop disturbing the natural design of life and to flow with events in a more gentle and natural manner.
Thank you for sharing Sandy. The animal totems are awesome!
Looking up butterflies again today, this is an awesome site!
I found a black butterfly with blue tipped wings. It was dead but in perfect form and very beautiful! It has been very hot here in SC the past couple of weeks but I suppose it died due to the extreme conditions. I just started a new part-time job and found it on my path as i was leaving work. What could this mean?
I have been going through major change in my life and the butterfly seems to have become my totem and guide. I have even in the dead of winter been touched by butterflies that everyone says should not even be around. Most have been white in color.
beautiful breakdown 🙂
Hi I have been dreaming of all these white butterflies. And it seems they can’t escape out of the inside of the house. It is a different place to where I live to
This is an awesome post! I’ve had waking dreams where I die and come back to visit loved ones as a blue butterfly. Then, a few months ago I took one of those weird Facebook tests for “what is your spirit animal”. Most people’s were all the same…wolf, bear, eagle…but mine came back as blue butterfly! Was kind of spooky.
Last Thursday, July 30th , I went outside to fetch my mail… I could sense a small shadow above me…. I immediately thought of a Butterfly, but I didn’t look up. I got my mail and was walking back towards my apartment… and, I sensed it again… this time I looked up… and it was a beautiful Monarch butterfly. We rarely see Monarchs in this part of California (NE of downtown Los Angeles). I enjoyed it circling above me… and, then it went out of the complex and I went back into my place. Incidentally, it was my birthday. I’ve been trying to make sense of that beautiful gift.
Omg . Me too
Lovely thank you!
I passed by a flowering plant today and stopped briefly to admire a beautiful butterfly then I noticed there was another one and then another… I counted 5 in total. Utterly beautiful xxx
I just lost my husband of thirteen years on valentines day 2015, seven months ago. I made a big move, my son and I moved from florida to georgia to live with my sister who has also lost her husband seven years ago, it was like I was drawn to live here. Lately for the past week daily I go outside to walk my dog and there is this beautiful dark blue butterfly who always flies around me, I just came in and before I came in I was in the beautiful sunshine talking to my husband which I do everyday, and the dark blue butterfly appeared and landed on a bush right next to me ans stayed there and looked right at me, I talked to it and got my face close to the branch it didnt move til I did. I wonder if someway my husbands spirit is tyring to tell me something. I love butterflies I always have, he used to buy beautiful butterfly pictures and things with butterflies for me always. I just wonder.
I lost one of my true loves in my life on Valentine’s Day 2015 also. He died in his sleep. I love butterflies. I have a butterfly tattoo and so does my son and daughter. 🙂 I was walking into work a bit after this and was nearly attacked by a tiger swallowtail butterfly…my favorite. It actually flew into me and landed on me while I was moving. I was shocked. I JUST now put it together 🙂
Definitely Your Love …They speak to Us thru things We Love and Shared 🙂
Days before I came to USA, I knew my whole life would change here but something happened one day. After I took a shower, I was trying to put my jeans on when suddenly, I saw something creepy into it. It looked like a pink spider web and something in the middle was moving cautiously- I got scared. Then, I asked my mom, my sister, and others members of my family “What’s that?” They just got impressed but they did’nt answer. Finally, I came to my dad and I asked him the same question. He calmly said “It’s a butterfly”. My mindsent totally changed when I knew what exactly was, it wasn’t something creepy anymore. The truth made me think “Wow, it beautiful butterfly on its metamorphosis- on my jeans” That was the weirdest thing, I just took it off and I put it on a plant. I let it free to continue with its magnificent trasformation. Now, I related it with mine. A sudden change could be creppy or scary at the beginning but whe you realized for what exactly is, your perspective will change and as consequence your will do it, too. Sometimes, we just have to change our negative attitude to a positive; everthing will be better to asimilate. Don’t be afraid to use your untried wings. Just feel the air and start you fly.
I saw the dream about big butterflies, which came into a wooden house. The first whitish big one came into the door and out to the another door. Second purple/blue big one came into the room and out through the door. The third Orange big one into the room, I want to let him out of the house but he doesn’t want to out.
And he came into my back so I tried to push and kill him but still alive near my spine them I woke up with orange butterfly moving in my back.
Generally, Butterfly is not my favorite , so I am surprised it show up my dream. So I think it try to tell me something… I want to know what is ..
And thank you very much for your dictionary.
Days before I came to USA, I knew my whole life would change here but something happened one day. After I took a shower, I was trying to put my jeans on when suddenly, I saw something creepy into it. It looked like a pink spider web and something in the middle was moving cautiously- I got scared. Then, I asked my mom, my sister, and others members of my family “What’s that?” They just got impressed but they did’nt answer. Finally, I came to my dad and I asked him the same question. He calmly said “It’s a butterfly”. My mindsent totally changed when I knew what exactly was, it wasn’t something creepy anymore. The truth made me think “Wow, it’s a beautiful butterfly on its metamorphosis but why on my jeans?” That was the weirdest thing, I just took it off and I put it on a plant. I let it free to continue with its magnificent trasformation. Now, I related it with mine. A sudden change could be creppy or scary at the beginning but when you realized for what exactly is, your perspective will change and as consequence your attitude will do it, too. Sometimes, we just have to change our negative attitude to a positive; everything will be easier to asimilate. Don’t be afraid to use your untried wings. Just feel the air and start your fly.
I got hit by a car and within days lost my grandmother , my grandfather and then left a relationship. Things have been hard but 3 words. Life goes on & to follow … GOD lives !
I was in my porch and see this white butterfly with color.. What does it mean? Pls help???
Today I was about to enter a very important meeting with a group of important people, very accomplished and powerful people, I was 50 floors up and looking out the window at the breathtaking view of my city when a black butterfly flew past the window. 50 floors up. Change could be on the cards for me.
We had a baby shower and out of nowhere I saw two white butterflies dancing. Next day I went walking and I saw white butterflies three separate times I was meditating as I was walking. Same day I went to this beautiful park and I saw several butterflies I was walking with my siblings. I like it when I see these white butterflies they pass by for less than half minute and are gone…I followed them with my eyes and they disappeared
I’ve had many encounters with the monarch butterfly, I’ve had one on my finger for a long time before , then I saw one while my dad was driving , and I got stuck on the windshield and died 🙁 What does the monarch mean?
I’ve been looking for some kind of explanation. For 5 consecutive days, what looks to be the exact same orange butterfly has circled me whenever i go out back or front of my house. I cant recall any close encounters with a butterfly in my entire life so these events seem extremely odd to me. Today the butterfly went a step further landing on my leg for only a brief moment. It has got my mind wandering. Any insight would be welcome. Thanks !
Thank you so much for this message !!! … I now understand WHY it has been so natural for me to call my “small” project : butterfly’s power… bringing wellbeing, wellness and health bodyworks at home… It was a subconscious choice, and it brought me trought these for phases to be ready now for an easy fly as a services provider… Reading this today, is just like a helpfull message, encouraging me to go ahead for a better world, for more healthy natural care methods… Thank you!
Thank you! I wrote a book The Wounded Yellow Butterfly after photographing a two wounded butterflies. I am a photographer and have taken hundreds of butterfly photos. They are special to me.
What a wonderful gift! I also have a close affinity to butterflies. Would love to read your book…
Hello there,
It has been very strange, Last week I had a dream with a small butterfly calling me from outside a window. I opened it and flew away with it and I reached a mysterious forest where a fantastic animal (a white deer with multi-pointed flexible antler, each one with a small star at the edge) was waiting for me. I took my dog for a walk twice this week and in both occasions a small butterfly landed one me. Hope someone can advise me with this.
I spent many years interpreting the meaning/symbolism of animals. I have come to the conclusion that bad spirits can easily manipulate animals to get our attention in a seemingly harmless way. This is what happened to me. Once I was paying attention, and on the hook, things got progressively darker and darker because of a bad spirit that had attached itself to me. Calling on Jesus for help was what saved me.