What do butterfly tattoos mean?

In recent years, the ‘Y2K’ trend has made a comeback and yes, with that comes the butterfly tattoos. Although butterflies are known for their beauty and elegance, there is also much more that is symbolised when it comes to tattoos. Whether you’re thinking of getting a butterfly tattoo yourself, or you’re simply just interested in understanding the symbolism behind the art, you’ve found yourself in the right place. In this article, we will discuss it all, down to size, art type and colour. 

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What do butterfly tattoos mean and where did the symbolism originate? 

The symbolism that has stuck throughout the years goes a long way back, to the Aztecs. In their culture, the butterfly symbolised the souls of past warriors. In other words, the tattoo is a way of remembering the souls of those who have passed on. 

Let’s take a look at the qualities a butterfly has: 

• Metamorphosis
• Impermanency 
• Good luck 
• Beauty

The words that come to mind when thinking of butterflies are femininity and beauty, which is often something that people want to symbolise themselves as. Getting a butterfly tattoo can help in self-confidence and love in this respect. Although they are beautiful, their life is fleeting, which is why they can symbolise someone that has passed away. 

A more interesting symbolism comes in a metaphorical way, derived from the metamorphosis experienced as a butterfly. This can signify a great change and development in someone's life. 

A less obvious meaning could be to denote good luck and having a butterfly tattoo may provide good luck for the rest of your lifetime. 

Does the colour of a butterfly tattoo mean anything?

Butterflies can come in almost all different colours, each having a unique pattern. Let’s take a deeper diver into what the colours of different butterflies mean:

Blue - One of the most popular colours for butterflies, this denotes good luck and absolute bliss. Part of the reason for this is that it is extremely rare to spot one. They can also represent new beginnings, as blue butterflies tend to appear during the spring. 

Black - This colour has been associated with the shortness of life and dealing with the concept of ageing. Often drawn as a tribal or Celtic tattoo, this tattoo can also symbolise that something bad is about to happen!

Purple - Many people get this tattoo as a way of symbolizing an unnoticeable health problem.

White - People often associate white butterflies with purity, which is why people often get them to show their love for Jesus Christ or God.

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What do different styles of butterfly tattoos mean? 

Semicolon butterflies - A semicolon butterfly tattoo represents the continuation of a sentence that could have ended, yet continued to tell the rest of the story.

Tribal butterflies - These often denote the base of life and beauty and even symbolize that change is necessary for life to move forward.

Celtic butterflies - the ancient Celtic meaning of a butterfly is metamorphosis, the process of changing into something beautiful.

Aztec butterflies - Generally, in the Aztec culture, butterflies are associated with the impermanence of life and the afterlife.