Butterfly Spirit / Totem Meaning
A symbol of inner reflection & transformation.
The butterfly spirit holds light energy that brings you signs of the upcoming change. A message reminding you that you can reinvent yourself and that all endings are also new beginnings. If you allow yourself to be patient and honest with yourself during your transformation, the butterfly spirit will be with you along the way.
The butterfly spirit suggests that we look at areas in our life that need improvement and start leaning into them. Be curious and ask yourself if you are showing your true colors. Are you allowing yourselves to fly your personalities with pride and confidence? Butterfly spirit reminds you to pause and take a moment to strengthen your mind-body-spirit connection.
Questions to ask your tarot cards and channel the butterfly spirit:
Is there anything important in my life that is in need of a new perspective?
Do I need a fresh start or a breath of fresh air regarding a project or opportunity?
Known as a symbol of transformation, the butterfly totem asks you to look inward at your life and determine what parts of your life need some work. Whether it be your bad habits that need change or parts of your personality, the butterfly spirit will help you start the process of renewal in your life. Have you been participating in lifestyle choices that are not suiting your values? Be like a caterpillar in its cocoon and allow yourself some solitude to transform into your true self, the beautiful butterfly that can express itself fully.
Perhaps you need to change your current perspective or mindset to truly allow your colors and personality to show. Welcome the butterfly totem in your life to start a true metamorphosis of your life.
Different culture’s beliefs about butterflies:
In the Chinese culture, butterflies are known to bring good luck in marriages, and to aid in celebrating a happy, long life with your other half. Newlyweds are given gifts that have two butterflies incorporated in them to bring this belief alive. Another way the Chinese culture looks at the butterfly totem is by representing immortality. Many couples have adopted this believe and engage in butterfly-releasing rituals at their wedding ceremonies.
A lot of us think that when we see a butterfly around it is the spirit of one of our loved ones coming to check in on us. This belief may have started within the Japanese culture, as the butterfly spirit is known to be the “soul of the living and dead”. The Japanese also believed that the butterfly totem represents a young girl who is on her journey of becoming a woman. Emerging out of her cocoon, ready to spread her wings and express her true self and explore what the world has to offer.
The Native American Tribe also views the butterfly as communication coming from a loved one who has gone to the other realm. Much like the Japanese culture, the Native American Tribes also view butterfly totems as a symbol of a child growing into their true selves. The Tribe is known to decorate the possessions of the children with symbols and images of butterflies. They do this to help them achieve better sleep as well as hope that butterflies would come and deliver dreams.
Ask the butterfly spirit for guidance when you are going through an inner transformation, your world is changing, or if you are feeling stuck. Are you starting a new job, meeting someone new, or are feeling an urge that something needs to be different? The butterfly totem can help you transform from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and see your life from a whole new perspective.
If you feel like you are not able to be yourself or you are lacking any type of self-expression, the butterfly spirit can help you find a way to break free and show your true colors. Embrace the windy times that you are not able to fly in, as it is a message that you need to reflect on and take a little more time on yourself. Doing so will allow you to transform and emerge as the beautiful butterfly you are. Change can be difficult and sometimes uncomfortable but by giving yourself patience and grace, you can overcome it all.
Butterflies are known to mean different things depending on their color or where they cross your path.
Red Butterflies: Brings passion, and romance, or are sometimes known as a powerful Spirit.
Brown Butterflies: Known to be bringers of important news or messages.
Yellow Butterflies: Brings happiness, joy, and a boost of creativity.
Orange Butterflies: Means healing and finding your passion. Orange butterflies can also be foreshadowing some sort of aggressiveness coming into your life.
Blue Butterflies: Known to be a sign of good Omens, good luck, and good fortune.
Green Butterflies: Brings prosperity, fortune, good luck, loving energy, and helps heal the heart chakra
Grey Butterflies: A sign that change is upon you, a reminder of hope and to keep an eye out for anything that is coming to sabotage you.
Black Butterflies: Another sign that change is coming upon you, this color butterfly usually shows up when you are hitting your lowest point in life.
White Butterflies: Purity and good luck. Known to be the main color of a passed loved one’s spirits and known to carry a peaceful energy.
There are many ways to interpret butterfly meanings, different cultures view the butterfly in similar and different views, what color the butterfly is means something unique and lastly, where you see the butterfly can make a difference too.
When you see a butterfly while you are taking a stroll in a garden or any nature reserve, you are bound to have good luck, financially. It is known that seeing butterflies in their natural habitat, brings you the energy that helps boost your abundance. Remember to take some time and observe the butterflies and show gratitude to them. They will help you remain grounded and connected to Earth. Seeing these butterflies will remind you to be yourself in all your endeavors, even professional endeavors. You will go farther by being yourself.
If a beautiful butterfly makes its way into your home, you are blessed with peace and harmony in your life. This butterfly has been attracted to you because you already hold this energy, you may just need that reminder. When this happens, remind yourself what you have and take a moment to be grateful. Take a moment to breathe and remember your values and purpose. Butterfly Spirit reminds you to not forget who you are, let your colors shine proudly!
If you are lucky enough to have this creature land on you, then it is a sign that you are going to heal yourself, or someone else. Whether it’s you or someone else you are taking care of, Butterfly Spirit is showing you that your efforts are being seen and to not give up! You are going through a spiritual awakening or blooming into who you are supposed to be. Take a moment to give yourself extra self-care and remember that you can only give when you take care of yourself first.
Dreaming of butterflies could mean that you are about to get a spike in inspiration. If you have been wanting to try a new hobby, sport or enroll in a new course, any type of new beginning, you may feel pulled toward it more. The Butterfly Spirit shows up in your dreams when you are in need of some forward movement in your life. Fly high and find a way to spark your motivation!
You can feel okay if a butterfly is following you closely as its not stalking you, it is protecting you. When a butterfly won’t leave your side while you are out and about, this means that a spirit is nearby or protecting you. Some believe that when this happens, it’s most likely a loved one who has passed on coming to say hello.
Regardless of where you see a butterfly, it’s color or anything else, it really is a beautiful sight to see one of these creatures. You will know the reason the Butterfly Spirit is showing up in your life and if you do not, you will figure it out sooner than later. Know that the Butterfly Spirit is a good energy to have around and has your best interest in mind.
Sources:
Spirits of the Animals Oracle Deck by Jody Bergsma
Butterfly Symbolism & Meaning | Spirit, Totem & Power Animal (whatismyspiritanimal.com)
Butterfly Spirit Animal & Totem
Motifs in Japanese Design - Nalata Nalata
Japanese Symbolic Animals and their Meanings (thejapaneseshop.co.uk)The Butterfly in Native American Culture | Kachina House's Blog
Native American Indian Butterfly Legends, Meaning and Symbolism from the Myths of Many Tribes (native-languages.org)
Coloredexplained.com
