Ever since we released butterflies at Bernice's memorial I've been meaning to post a few tid-bits about butterfly symbolism (not that I'm an expert or anything). The things which our release may have been most representative of include Bernice's love of butterflies, and of our letting her go. There are many other things that butterflies can symbolize also. The life of a butterfly from caterpillar, to pupa, to winged creature can symbolize a metamorphosis of many different kinds (which is the take that Mark & I used referencing our relationship when releasing butterflies at our wedding). That process has also often symbolized a spiritual transformation, or a re-birth into a new life after a period in a cocoon (which is limiting, just like an aged body sometimes can also be). Now to pull just a couple of references from various cultures that I found:
In one of the Russian dialects, butterflies are referred to as "dushuchka" which is a derivative of the word "dusha" also meaning soul. Another reference that I found said that in Russian the word butterfly (бабочка) also means bow-tie. It is a diminutive of "baba" or "babka", whence also "babushka" which is, of course, "grandmother". I found that highly appropriate in our case.
The ancient Greeks considered butterflies as the souls of those who had passed away. In ancient Greek the word for butterfly is "Psyche" (ψυχή) which translated means "soul".
In Chinese culture two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love. That reminded me of the two butterflies that continued to circle us overhead for some time after the release. I thought that was beautiful.
There is a small town in Mexico that also associates butterflies with souls. Monarch butterflies migrate there every year, around the holiday known as the Day of the Dead. The people of this town see these butterflies as the returning souls of the deceased.
This is by no means a complete or representative sample of historical references to symbolism of butterflies cross-culturally. Rather, a few examples that I found interesting - and that I found to be appropriate references that were fun for me to ponder as I enjoyed remembering the visual images of the butterfly release at Grandma Cole's memorial. I hope you have enjoyed reading some of them too. Please feel free to add any thoughts of your own (or that you have read) on this topic here and Claudia can post them for all of us to enjoy.
Scroll down. Beneath each picture and description there is a comment link. If you are interested in that item, or have a question on that specific item, then click on that link (the word "comment") and leave a comment indicating such. After you type your comment and enter the word verification you can sign in with your google id (or else just click on anonymous and remember to include your name in the comment). These comments will not publish publicly onto the blog - they will be viewed by Claudia, who will be sharing that information with Mary & Ron. If you want to view any of the pictures larger, then just click on them (then use the back arrow to get back to the blog).
In the future, if you decide that you can't keep some of these family items, please offer them back to the family, rather than giving them away or selling them. That being said, please be liberal with expressing interest or asking questions about anything that interests you...
Before moving on to the individual items on this blog (or afterward if you prefer), please feel free to take a moment to share any thoughts or memories that you have of BLC so that we can all enjoy them as we reminisce and remember her life. It can be a general thought, impression, or memory...or it may be a specific story. You can leave your comments here on this post, or you can include memories attached to a specific item on this blog under that item's post. If you do the latter though, then please remember to submit them separately from any questions or requests regarding that item (as those won't be posted publicly on the blog).
Items top to bottom (also, scroll down for close up photos):
Top shelf (left to right): Nautilus shell, Abalone shell & stand, Nautilus shell
Bottom shelf: plate 1958 (background), and left to right - (skip gold leafed vase, it's unavailable)...rose vase 1961, pitcher 1954...all painted by Claudia Lewis
Inside cupboard: shallow bowl 1961 (left), divided plate 1955 (right) - both painted by Claudia Lewis
Top: RHC & BLC with children for RHC 70th birthday. (middle piece unavailable) Bottom: Extended family photo from RHC/BLC 50th wedding anniversary (only people not pictured are Mont & Matt) Family Picture Family Picture
Ever since we released butterflies at Bernice's memorial I've been meaning to post a few tid-bits about butterfly symbolism (not that I'm an expert or anything). The things which our release may have been most representative of include Bernice's love of butterflies, and of our letting her go. There are many other things that butterflies can symbolize also. The life of a butterfly from caterpillar, to pupa, to winged creature can symbolize a metamorphosis of many different kinds (which is the take that Mark & I used referencing our relationship when releasing butterflies at our wedding). That process has also often symbolized a spiritual transformation, or a re-birth into a new life after a period in a cocoon (which is limiting, just like an aged body sometimes can also be). Now to pull just a couple of references from various cultures that I found:
This is by no means a complete or representative sample of historical references to symbolism of butterflies cross-culturally. Rather, a few examples that I found interesting - and that I found to be appropriate references that were fun for me to ponder as I enjoyed remembering the visual images of the butterfly release at Grandma Cole's memorial. I hope you have enjoyed reading some of them too. Please feel free to add any thoughts of your own (or that you have read) on this topic here and Claudia can post them for all of us to enjoy.
