Butterfly Tattoo Meaning

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning

A butterfly, apart from being one of the most popular tattoo designs, is also one of the most meaningful ones. Its significance and symbolism is found in different cultures.

Did You Know

Among others, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears, Drew Barrymore, and Harry Styles are the top celebrities sporting a butterfly tattoo.

Tattoos are very much 'in' these days and are donned by common people as well as celebrities. It is quite difficult to choose a single best tattoo among the countless options available today. However, you can follow a simple tip and choose a tattoo that complements your personality the best, or is significant to you for personal reasons.

If you are looking for a feminine tattoo with meaning, then the butterfly tattoo is just for you. Although tattoos are made by both men as well as women, these tattoos are popular among the women for their delicacy. These tattoos look great on any part of the body. But, are commonly inscribed on the back (lower or upper) and feet.

➤ Meaning

Did you know that a simple butterfly has a significance in the Chinese, Japanese, and Greek cultures? Here is a list of the possible meanings of a butterfly tattoo.

A butterfly, primarily, stands for beauty and grace. The colors and patterns on the wings of butterflies are undeniably beautiful. The delicate beauty makes this tattoo very popular among women.

Secondly, as the butterfly begins its life as a caterpillar and goes through a lot of changes to turn into a beautiful butterfly, it becomes a symbol of change and metamorphosis. Therefore, if you have experienced a radical change in your life, you can consider having a butterfly tattoo.

Freedom is yet another tattoo meaning. Many people believe that as the butterfly freely soars in the sky, it signifies freedom and independence. As a butterfly itself is very delicate, it also symbolizes fragility and impermanence of life.

Similarly, as the butterfly goes from flower to flower collecting food, it also becomes a symbol of instability on the Earth.

The meaning and symbolism of butterfly tattoo designs is also related to spirituality and psyche. According to the Greek culture, a butterfly symbolizes the journey of a soul. The soul takes birth, travels through the journey of life, dies and is reborn. It was even believed that the butterfly takes the human soul from earth to the heaven. Thus, every butterfly around, carries a human soul with it.

In ancient times, it was even believed that the butterfly had magical powers as it transformed from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly is also a symbol of free spirit.

According to Chinese culture, a butterfly stands for joy, happiness, prosperity. It is also considered a sign of good luck.

Most of the meanings associated with the butterfly are related to beauty, femininity, etc. But, peculiarly, Geisha's in Japan are also associated with butterflies.

➤ Design Ideas

As the butterflies are naturally found in a variety of colors, there is a great scope for creativity.

The two basic options that can be considered when making this tattoo is to have a design that looks exactly like an actual butterfly. Otherwise, you can go for an abstract design.

Tribal and Celtic butterfly tattoos are also very much in demand for their uniqueness.

Sometimes, they are also combined with other designs like flowers and leaves, stars, angels, and fairies, etc.

If you want your tattoo to cover a large surface area, you can consider having a cluster of butterflies.

With this information, you will be really tempted to have a butterfly tattooed on your body. Before having a tattoo made, remember that as these butterflies are associated with beauty and grace, it is better to have them made delicately and with finesse. Very large butterfly tattoos on arms or the back would simply have the exact opposite, negative effect. Ciao!

source:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/butterfly-tattoos-meaning.html