We perceive the meaning of many words as a common explanation for the phenomena around us. The butterfly is a popular insect found in many countries and religions. However, often people get tattoos depicting this colorful representative of the animal world. What is a butterfly, what does it symbolize, you need to know in order to respect this insect in the future.
Dictionary meaning of the word "butterfly"
If we turn to the explanatory dictionary, we will find out that the word "butterfly" has more than one meaning. What such a concept can mean:
- An insect that has two pairs of wings, and they can be of different colors. A moth is another name for an animal.
- A tie that has the shape of a bow. In silhouette, it resembles a famous insect, which is why it was called that.
- Affectionate name for an older woman.
- A magazine that was published in the 30s.
As you can see, this word has a lot of meanings. But the most common of them is the name of a popular insect. If we turn to the symbolic dictionary, we find out that it isa symbol of the soul and immortality among many nations.
The symbolic meaning of the word "butterfly". What is immortality
Many nations interpret the meaning of this word in their own way. Also, people often get tattoos with the image of this insect on their body. Butterfly is a symbol of freedom, life, immortality, sincerity. What an insect means in different countries can be found in various encyclopedias. For example:
- The Chinese believe that the insect is a symbol of joy and summer.
- In Japan, the butterfly is a symbol of a happy woman who found herself in raising children, and flocks fluttering around her mean a full-fledged family.
- Mexicans identify the butterfly with the plant world. She is considered the patroness of the sun. In addition, the night butterfly symbolizes the spirit of women who died during childbirth.
- Women of Ancient Greece often wore makeshift wings, trying to look like a butterfly. The insect symbolized freedom and the spirit of immortality.
- In German mythology, butterflies meant airiness and impartiality.
- Slavs are sure that a butterfly is the spirit of a dead person who comes to the world of the living to see his loved ones.
These symbols are the reason why the insect is depicted in paintings, tattooed with its image and admired for its beauty.
Butterfly in Christianity
In Christianity there is also such an image as a butterfly. Whatthe insect is depicted in the hand of Jesus Christ in infancy in drawings, paintings and icons, many people know, but not everyone knows that it means resurrection, life and death. The butterfly is a symbol of paradise, so only good and pure thoughts are associated with it among believers.
Thus, there are many meanings of this word, both symbolic and sensible. Any educated person should know them. The meaning of the word "butterfly" is simple only at first glance. You need to be knowledgeable in religious and historical matters in order to fully understand the meaning of this concept.