What Does a Butterfly Tattoo Mean?

Do you want to get a butterfly tattoo? Learn about the significance and symbolism behind this beautiful and versatile tattoo design.

Butterflies are a common resource when it comes to choosing what tattoo we want to get. Many times, we choose them simply for the beauty of these beautiful creatures, but experts talk about different meanings behind a butterfly tattoo. Here we tell you what it means, so you can evaluate if it corresponds to what you want to convey.

What does a butterfly tattoo mean?

The most classic meaning of a butterfly in a tattoo is as a symbol of transformation, as a reminder of one of those significant moments in which your life took a turn and a new stage began. As you know, the butterfly goes from being a caterpillar to transforming into something much more beautiful, that's why it is given this sense of transformation, of passing from a bad or dark stage to a rebirth.

Throughout history, different cultures around the world have given different meanings to the butterfly. For example, in Greek mythology, the word psyche means butterfly, but also soul, which gives a spiritual interpretation to this insect.

In Japan, the butterfly is the symbol of geishas and if you draw two together they represent marital happiness, while in China they are associated, among many other themes, with beauty and the warmth of summer. In pre-Columbian Mexico, it was believed that butterflies were warriors who had fallen in battle and had been transformed into these beautiful creatures.

So, in general, the butterfly is a very spiritual symbol that carries an associated meaning of change, transformation, renewal... But depending on the culture in which you are, you can see how they can make very different interpretations.

Popular Butterfly Tattoo Designs

The world of tattoos is as wide as your imagination and your butterfly tattoo design can range from classic to creative. Some of the most common ones are:

- Realistic butterfly: This type of butterfly tattoo is perfect for those people who truly love the beauty of this insect, as it shows all the details, from the design of its wings to the movement.

- Watercolor butterfly: The watercolor effect has become very common in tattoos during the last few years and is a way to give a different touch to traditional designs.

- Minimalist butterfly: Another trend in the world of tattoos is minimalist designs, the less the better. With just one line, it can be a very delicate and beautiful design.

- Butterfly with flowers: Representing butterflies as if they were in their natural habitat, accompanied by one or several flowers, is also a very common option when choosing a tattoo.

- Flying butterfly: If you want to give it a meaning of freedom, the best option is to get a tattoo of a butterfly in full flight, with a design that gives it a sense of movement.

So, choosing the butterfly design you want to get tattooed goes far beyond which one you think is pretty, since you have to know well the meaning, choose the type of design you would most like to wear, and look at other details such as color and shape.

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