Cross-cultural Symbolism of the Monarch Butterfly

12/8/2019

Co-written by Jennifer Dawson and Rebecca Chandler

The beauty and grace of butterflies has been recognized for millenia. Recent studies have found that butterflies have been around for up to 200 million years. As such, there’s little surprise that the winged creatures have an abundance of cultural significance attached to them in cultures across the world.

Poli Taka (Butterly Man), Poli Sio Hemis (Zuni Hemis Butterfly Kachina) and Poli Mana (Butterfly Girl)

Native American Culture

Butterflies play a variety of roles in many Native American folktales and traditions. Monarch butterflies are painted on Hopi Kachina dolls which are given as gifts in hope of future abundance and health, as well as tools for education. The Butterfly Dance is a traditional social dance of the Hopi and is a petition for rain, good health, and long life for all living things. Blackfoot people associate butterflies with sleep and dreaming. They would sometimes decorate cradles to help babies sleep or embroider a butterfly on a small piece of buckskin and tie it in the baby’s hair for a restful night of sleep. Butterflies also play a part in Tohono O'odham creation stories.

This is a famous photo of Sitting Bull taken circa 1880-1890 wearing a hat with a Monarch butterfly on the hatband.

Sitting Bull Remembers, a book by Ann Turner and Wendell Minor. https://amzn.to/2OQr2ef

Symbolism in Christianity

Butterflies are seen as a symbol of foretelling and spiritual transformation in Christianity. In Catholicism, they are a symbol of rebirth, a strong theme throughout many religious texts. The Angel Numbers Spiritual theory which suggests that symbols and numbers are signs sent from divine beings to help you navigate through life, harness this as a foretelling sign. According to some sources, a Monarch butterfly in particular is a sign that you are on the right path to achieve your goals.

Día de Muertos

Mexico has a very special relationship with Monarch butterflies. Millions of butterflies take flight to central Mexico as part of their yearly migration and arrive during Day of the Dead (October 31-November 2). While modern science suggests that the creatures are following some form of magnetism in the Earth’s atmosphere, Mexican folklore tells us these butterflies are actually the souls of the deceased, visiting the Earth on these holy days to visit relatives and provide comfort. During the 3-day celebration of Dia de los Muertos, many people will dress like monarch butterflies and decorate their ofrendas (altars) with Monarchs in order to honor and remember their ancestors.

Day of the Dead Butterfly Shrine- Mexican Folk Art- Tin Nicho - Picmia

Photograph: Michael Juliano

The Monarch butterfly is not only a creature of wonderment in modern times. It is an ancient creature that has been lauded by cultures across history. Protecting them is an absolute must to ensure that generations to come are able to enjoy their beauty as well.

13 Comments

Marilyn Johnson

1/22/2020 11:38:31 am

Where can I buy these dolls??

Capri Sun

8/19/2020 10:49:42 am

You can't. I've eaten all of the dolls. Looks like you're out of luck Marilyn :)

I Drink Capri Suns

4/1/2023 03:43:38 pm

You’re next.

Astral Signs link

11/13/2020 06:06:40 pm

Well worth a read. Got great insights and information from your blog. Thanks.

Julia

11/29/2020 12:29:50 pm

Hi! I love your post about monarch butterflies. You have such useful information about their symbolism. I'm actually an independent curator and am making an exhibit about animal symbolism. Where did you find the photos for the Kachina dolls? And do you have your references available for the Native American's symbolism? This info would be very helpful for me if you could let me know. Thanks in advance for your help!

basin tap link

6/12/2021 02:01:09 am

Good work. I will come back to read more.

Jennifer Mcguinness

7/18/2021 12:28:53 pm

I really enjoyed your blog about monarchs. It is very interesting and educational. I am currently raising monarch butterflies with my children and have already raised and released 90. 🙌🤗🐛🦋💕 We now have two swallowtail caterpillars that we are raising inside along with seven new monarch caterpillars. Thank you so much for your information. 💖

Steven R. Tapia

9/19/2021 03:57:27 pm

I'm an author and retired wildlife biologist, and I am just starting a Fiction book about "Milagro" the Monarch Butterfly! I have NOT titled the book yet! Like I say, I just started writing it!*! I intend to add-in real life adventures of Monarch butterfly's!*! ST

Mary Anne Rishebarger link

10/12/2021 10:48:40 pm

Dear Steven,
Good luck with your book! I look forward to reading it when you finish it!

Alex

2/19/2022 10:13:31 pm

That tin nicho you have credited as “Mexican folk art” IS MINE. I made the nicho. I took the photograph. You, in typical white woman fashion, have taken my work without permission, removed it from its original context, and distorted its meaning.

You do not have my permission to use the photograph. Please remove it immediately.

Vanessa link

6/25/2024 09:31:55 pm

Great blog I enjoyed readding

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8/8/2024 03:36:19 am

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