Coloring Pages of Butterflies in Myth and Legend
A caterpillar goes into a chrysalis and a butterfly comes out, so it's no surprise that people in very different places saw butterflies as souls or fresh starts. Some added love that lasts forever to the list.
Jump to: Greek | Japanese | Chinese | Irish | Mexican | Native American
Butterflies in Greek Mythology
The Greek word psyche meant both butterfly and soul, so it fits that the goddess Psyche is drawn with butterfly wings. Stories say she began as a mortal woman and became a goddess after a long string of trials, and the wings show how much she changed...
Butterflies in Japanese Folklore
In Japan, a butterfly can be the soul of someone living or someone who has died, and it often stands for change and fleeting beauty. One famous legend tells of a man who follows a butterfly and finds out it's the spirit of his wife who has passed away, which leads him to her grave.
Butterflies in Chinese Folklore
In Chinese symbolism, two butterflies flying together stand for love and a happy marriage. The legend of the Butterfly Lovers is a tragic romance that ends with the two lovers turning into butterflies, so their love lasts forever.
Butterflies in Irish Folklore
In Ireland, butterflies were sometimes thought to be the souls of the dead, waiting to pass through Purgatory. Other legends say witches could turn into butterflies to steal butter and milk.
Butterflies in Mexican Folklore
In Mexico, monarch butterflies are linked to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), when people believe the butterflies carry the spirits of ancestors home for a visit. The timing fits, because the monarchs' migration to Mexico arrives right around the festival.
Butterflies in Native American Folklore
Many Native American tribes consider butterflies to be symbols of change, joy and color. They often show up in stories and art as bringers of light and transformation, reflecting the personal growth that comes through life changes.