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The meaning of a butterfly tattoo

In tattoo art, there are many symbols that carry a deep, ambiguous and sometimes even contradictory meaning.

In this article, we will learn more about one of them, define the meaning of a butterfly tattoo and the role of this image in the culture and life of our ancestors.

The meaning of a butterfly tattoo

The centuries-old history of symbolism

The butterfly symbol has been and remains popular in the culture and art of many nations. The lightness, beauty, trepidation and serenity of these insects will probably always delight people of any gender and age.

However, do not think that the meaning of the image of a butterfly is so banal and simple. In some countries, this beautiful creation of nature was destined to become something much more significant than just an object of affection.

Aztec tradition

The ancient tribes of the Aztecs believed that the souls of warriors who fell in battle and mothers grieving for them turn into beautiful weightless butterflies that are carried away to heaven in search of consolation and tranquility.

From caterpillar to butterfly

The practice of mummification among the ancient Egyptians was inextricably linked with the process of metamorphosis of butterflies. The incredible transition of an insect from one state to another, accompanied by a series of miraculous changes, has become associated with the stages of human transformations.

Being born and living earthly life, a person is, as it were, in the stage of a caterpillar, longing only for the satisfaction of carnal needs.

In old age, during the period of withering of the body shell, he prepares for rebirth and turns into a pupa - a nondescript cocoon that protects the vulnerable inner world.

And after death, the human soul is freed from physical fetters, becomes a beautiful butterfly and flies off to a new world.

The symbol of love in the Celestial Empire

For the people of China, these beautiful creatures were the personification of fun, spontaneity, love and carefree life. But at the same time, the paired image of a butterfly with flowers symbolizes mutual love, loyalty and harmony.

Ambiguous reputation

In the Land of the Rising Sun, beautiful, bright moths have become the embodiment of grace, grace, femininity. But, in addition, over time, they served as a symbol of geisha. Perhaps this fact influenced what a girl's butterfly tattoo means in modern times, namely, frivolity, accessibility and frivolity in love affairs.

Memory of loved ones

For Mexicans, the image of a butterfly has long symbolized the memory of deceased people and relatives close to their hearts, their pure souls, who left worldly worries, vanity and worries.

Religious traditions

As for religion, in Christianity, these graceful creatures personified divine resurrection and grace. But according to the belief of the ancient Slavs, a dark witch could turn into a butterfly, so innocent insects were considered harbingers of grief, illness and death.

The meaning of a butterfly tattoo

Modern meanings of a butterfly tattoo

The meaning of a butterfly tattoo depends mostly on what meaning the owner will put into it. This is one of the few images that is considered to be exclusively female. Indeed, men rarely choose sketches with such insects for themselves. However, sometimes butterflies can still be found on male bodies, for example, as a component of Celtic motifs or a large-scale painting with elements of wildlife.

So, what does a girl's butterfly tattoo mean:

  1. Harmony, sublimity, balance... This is the meaning of a female butterfly tattoo with spread symmetrical wings. Such a drawing is best suited for individuals engaged in self-knowledge, self-development, perhaps interested in philosophy, psychology or natural sciences. You can place it, for example, on the back, on the neck or on the arm.
  2. Love and tenderness... For girls who dream of knowing all the charm of mutual love, boundless trust and understanding, a small butterfly tattoo located on the wrist, on the hip, on the leg or on the chest will be very useful.
  3. Openness, sincerity, spontaneity... A colored butterfly tattoo on any part of the body is perfect for an extraordinary, open to communication and easy-going female representative. She will definitely add zest to the image and emphasize character traits.
  4. Thirst for freedom, mental youth... The image of a butterfly on a shoulder blade will distinguish a freedom-loving person from the crowd, who strives to be independent, free from any kind of shackles and attachments, loves travel, adventure and new acquaintances.
  5. Living for pleasure... Girls who prefer to take the maximum out of life, hot-tempered and ready to plunge into feelings, without wasting time for reflections, doubts and guesses, may well choose for themselves a bright and catchy pattern of a moth on the lower back, on the stomach, on the bottom or on the ankle.
  6. creative mind - artists, dancers, stylists, representatives of the beauty industry, because this insect has long been associated with everything beautiful, light and colorful.

The meaning of a butterfly tattoo

Styles and ideas for the image of a butterfly

Tattoos in the style of realism and hyperrealism, made by a professional, experienced artist who can delight anyone who sees them. These directions imply the image as close as possible to the original. In realism, they create real masterpieces of modern art. And the most impressive are the three-dimensional drawings. Looking at a butterfly tattoo in 3D, it can be easily confused with a very real insect, because the modern technologies and methods of illustration used by artists make the tattoo “breathe” and “live” on the human body.

A watercolor drawing of a butterfly will look great on the skin. The thinnest, almost imperceptible contours, careless strokes, smudges and chaotic splashes inherent in this direction will make the picture original, bright and fabulous. And smooth, soft color transitions will add lightness, tenderness and weightlessness to the tattoo.

Ornamental can be another style suitable for depicting butterflies. This style assumes clear lines and symmetry of the created pattern. Tattoos in this direction are quite difficult to perform, but at the same time they look very interesting and mysterious. In addition, ornamental designs can simultaneously combine elements made in several styles at once, for example, linework, dotwork or tribal.

Photo of a butterfly tattoo on his head

Photo of a butterfly tattoo on the body

Photo of a butterfly tattoo on his arm

Photo of a butterfly tattoo on the leg

30+butterfly tattoo designs / butterfly tattoo pictures