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Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

Meaning of Buttefly Tattoo

Meaning of Buttefly Tattoo


Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos
(at-a-glance):

  • Metamorphosis
  • Beauty
  • Peace
  • Immortality
  • Dreams
  • Spirituality
  • Transformation
  • Thoughts
  • Life
  • Playfulness
  • Tranquility
  • Delicateness
  • Fertility
  • Love
  • Intuition
  • Resurrection
  • Tenderness
  • Appreciation

When considering the meaning of butterfly tattoos, I always think of psyche in Greek myth, where the term psyche is alternatively used with life.  In fact, the term psyche is translated to mean “breath of life.”  Further, Psyche in Greek myth is a companion to Eros (Cupid).  All this  plays nicely with the ephemeral butterfly symbolism of love, intuition, life, peace, adoration and beauty.

The meaning of butterfly tattoos may also deal with transformation because of the butterfly’s impressive evolution through life.  Follow this path of metamorphosis:

  • Egg (beginning/birth)
  • Larva (dependence/socialization)
  • Caterpillar (independence/awareness)
  • Chyrsalis (withdrawal/death to a singular way of being)
  • Butterfly (emergence/illumination/awakening/evolution into a new phase of life)

Pretty impressive, when we look at this amazing transformation with spiritual eyes.  Indeed, if you’re getting a butterfly tattoo – it is a symbol of significant transition and change in your life.

The Japanese consider the butterfly to be a symbol of fine beauty and delicate feminine qualities.  Geisha’s are commonly identified with butterflies.

In esoteric Christian symbolism & art the butterfly is an icon of immortality and the resurrection of not only Christ, but an awakening to the higher love each human holds in his/her heart.

In Celtic symbolism the butterfly holds similar attributes and represents beauty, love, honor.  It is also a symbol for the soul in the Celtic mindset. (more on the Celtic meaning of butterfly can be found here).

In Chinese symbolism the butterfly is a sign of good luck, joy, abundance, health and blessing.

I hope you have enjoyed these symbolic thoughts on butterfly tattoos.

Flit through my other butterfly pages for more symbolic nectar in your search for meaningful tattoo information.

Symbolic Meaning of Butterfly (full post)

More Butterfly Meanings  (including butterflies in dreams)

Grapevine Tattoos

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Grapevine Tattoos

Grapevine Tattoos

Grapes and Grapevine Tattoo Meanings
(at-a-glance):

  • Abundance
  • Life
  • Pleasure
  • Joy
  • Fullness
  • Vintage
  • Ripeness
  • Flourishing
  • Prospering
  • Faith
  • Wisdom
  • Fertility
  • Youthfulness
  • Celebration

Grapes and grapevine tattoos remind us of the Latin tenet in vino veritas, which means “in wine there is wisdom.”

Wine is a derivative of grapes, and was considered to be the nectar of the godsin Greco-Roman myth.  Therefore, grapes and grapevines are seen as the purest essence of godliness – namely immortality. 

Grapes, grapevines and wine are associated with the Greco-Roman gods Dionysus/Bacchus. 

Grapes are commonly seen in Christian art to convey the association between wine and the blood of Christ.  In this light, grapes are symbolic of sacrificeand the overflowing abundance of divine love.

The grapevine is also symbolic of the Israelites, and the tree of the Messiah is sometimes compared to a grapevine in the old testament.

Grapevine tattoos convey:

  • Protection from evil spirits.
  • An abundant life.
  • A zest for living well.
  • A devotion to the fruits of the spirit.
  • The desire for prosperity, fertility and beauty in life.