Found throughout most of the world, Butterflies are the best known of Insects. Adult Monarch of the New World and Swallowtail of the Old World are greatly admired for their beauty. What people do not realize is that Butterflies and Moths belong to the same Order of Lepidoptera (scale wing). They think that there are dramatic differences between the two species. For instance, Butterflies are always beautiful, and Moths are not. However, many Moths such as Luna Moth are beautiful, while many Butterflies such as Cabbage Butterfly are dull colored. What makes Butterflies beloved by people, and Moths sinister and mysterious? Butterflies are seen during the day, while Moths only come out at night.
What Butterflies are best known for are their magical transformations. From a rather, dowdy Caterpillar springs forth a magnificent Butterfly. Mother Butterfly lays eggs on a particular plant species. For weeks after Caterpillars emerge, They feed off the plant. After molting several times, the now legless Caterpillars become Chrysalis, thereby suspending Themselves from leaves by a girdle of silk. After a period of internal transformation, the adults emerge as Butterflies.
People associated Butterflies with joy, happiness, and souls. To the Chinese, Butterflies were a symbol of joy. The Japanese regarded a pair of Butterflies as a symbol of married happiness. In Europe, Butterfly represented the human soul. The newly dead would hover near their body as a Butterfly. For many people, Butterfly meant the death of the body, and the rebirth of the soul in paradise.
For Christians, Butterfly is a symbol of resurrection, new life, and immortality. Like Christ who died and rose again, Butterfly dies as Caterpillar and emerges from the Chrysalis as a glorious Butterfly. This act symbolizes Christ rising from the Tomb.
The lessons of the Butterfly Family are let go of old behavior, and move into the next phase of your life. Trust in the process of change, and weather the winds of uncertainty. Know when you are going through a transition that Butterfly is there to help you through it. Remember not to be in such a hurry. Be like Butterfly and take your time, and be still for awhile.
Butterfly Family’s Teachings Include:
“The Butterfly is a very spiritual bug, and represents the presence of Good Spirits. Butterflies signal change, metamorphosis, balance, harmony, grace, peace, beauty, and spirituality. They are a Good Sign.” Copyright: “Spirits of the Earth”, Bobby Lake-Thom.
“The Butterfly teaches transformation of the spirit, freeing you from the confines of the body, and the mundane. It brings beauty, love, and light into the world.” Copyright: “Beasts of Albion”, Miranda Gray.
Read what Butterflies' relatives, the Moths, have to teach.
Note: The differences between butterflies and moths: Butterflies have clubbed antenna. Moths form a cocoon, butterflies, a chrysalis. Moths have a frenulum, which holds their two wings together during a flight.
Purchase books about butterflies from Amazon.com
Check out the following for information about butterflies. The first is a teaching site for home schoolers, Surf Net Kids: Monarch Butterflies. The second site is Children's Butterfly Site. "Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world's most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations." Entomologist Dr. Paul Opler answers children's questions about butterflies.
Va. Carper
May 6, 2008