Butterfly Tattoos - 8 Different Symbolic Meanings Of This Classic Tattoo

Butterfly Tattoo

Butterfly tattoos are very popular amongst women and they come in all shapes, sizes and a wide range of colors. The most popular places for a butterfly tattoo are the upper arm and lower back.

All through history and even in our modern times butterfly tattoos have been extremely popular among female of all ages. There are several sexy spots from your wrist, stomach, arms, and shoulder blades to the ankle of your foot that these tattoos can be flaunted upon.

There are so many colours to choose from that these tattoos can really make your imagination run wild. You may also add a name or a flower along with these tattoos which adds femininity and grace to the tattoo formation. You can even group several butterflies to create a unique formation with butterfly designs.

There are quite a number of reasons as to why people choose to own a butterfly tattoo. While with some woman the shape of the butterfly is symbolic and it helps them to represent a particular moment in their lives, to others it's just because butterflies are so colourful creatures that they make wonderful and gorgeous tattoos.

So what is so traditionally symbolic about butterflies?

In fact butterflies hold different meanings in different cultures around the world.

1. Firstly, these beautiful winged creatures signify transformation. The metamorphosis process of a beautiful butterfly as it emerges from an egg, to a caterpillar and then to a pupa which ultimately transforms itself into a colorful adult butterfly may be considered symbolic for someone, especially a woman who has had many drastic positive changes in her life.

2. Secondly, in the continent of Japan these wild and exotically colorful creatures are often symbolised for coy young girls who are emerging into ravishingly beautiful woman.

3. The Native Americans often symbolize these colorful creatures as guidance through changes of our life.

4. In the Chinese world, butterfly tattoos are symbolized for harmony and marital bliss as the Chinese scholars and philosophers believe that the sign of a butterfly brings unending happiness among all married couples.

5. To the Christians who are the followers of Christ the butterfly depicts the soul that has escaped the painful confinement of the flesh.

6. The Grecians however symbolize this little creature as a human soul and believe in the idea that every time a beautiful colorful butterfly emerges out of its confined cocoon a human soul gets birth in the human race.

7. The people of Ireland however have a much different view of butterflies as they symbolize these beautiful creatures as dead souls awaiting their journey into Purgatory (the land of death).

8. To the Asians the butterfly portrays the symbol of endless joy and happiness in their home and often makes butterfly tattoos on their body to permanently carry this luck charms from one place of living to another.

While you can get a tattoo for any reason it is best to understand what that tattoo may symbolize to other people. This may help prevent confusion and may even help you achieve a better connection with your tattoo.

BONUS: Besides this article, Christine Crotts has also written a piece on how to maintain the color of your vibrant butterfly tattoos. This is in addition to her articles on how to design your own tattoo.