I was trimming some of the bushes around our house a day or two ago. One of the bushes I cut back was a butterfly bush. Right after our house was finished, it was one of the first things that Claire wanted planted. It’s done well — almost too well, because it has to be trimmed pretty often to keep it from blocking a walkway. And — it does attract quite a number of butterflies…..
Back on November 2, I talked about Dia de los Muertos — the “Day of the Dead” being celebrated in Mexico. It’s a time to welcome the visiting souls of ancestors and family members to honor their memories. The rituals draw from pre-Hispanic beliefs, mixed in with Catholic traditions, especially from All Souls day and All Saints Day.
On thing that I didn’t mention in my November 2 blog is that the arrival of the monarchs just happens to coincide with these celebrations…. and for some groups, that holds significant meaning.
From what I can tell, butterflies are a common symbol of death among many cultures and religions. Almost every country in the world recognizes the connection between butterflies and death. The symbolism seems to have started back in Ancient Greece, where a butterfly sighting after the passing of a loved one was seen to represent the soul of the deceased. That symbolism is still respected today.
Recently, I’ve been told by a number of people that when you see butterflies after someone dies, it may be a sign that your loved one is okay and in a better place. It may also be a sign that you’re on the path to healing. I suppose there isn’t any right or wrong interpretation of this symbol — if it brings comfort and peace during a difficult time, I think it’s great.
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