I've Gotta Thing For... Butterflies

Photo by Nick Wheeler

For the last 11 years, I've had a 'thing' for butterflies.

My mum too.

I liked them before that, but they took on new significance when they were used as an analogy to life and beyond at my beloved father's funeral.

Since then, they hold special meaning, and they seem to turn up in the most surprising places.

Just before a nerve wracking event one will appear on my window sill and linger for what seems like ages while I gaze at it.

They'll flutter in front of me down a path way when I'm feeling sad.

Once, one even flew inside when I opened my front door, fluttered around for a few moments, and then flew straight out the door again while I just stood at the open door and watched.

And I ask myself if these happenings are a sign or just coincidence.

And...

.... I don't know.

But I like to believe they're not coincidence.

Consequently, things that have butterfly motifs on them now immediately strike a chord with me. I have many butterflies throughout my home in varying forms. A lot in cards and small pieces of artwork. Some in the form of jewellery and charms. Some as small magnetic prints on the fridge.

Anything with a butterfly on it now grabs immediate attention!

Here's a few lovely butterfly things I've found lately....

I first saw these amazing butterflies made from china plates in Inside Out magazine a few months ago. They immediately 'had me at hello'. I'd never seen anything like them before! They're by a company called Lightly, whose website I instantly trawled, and I just adore them. This image was taken from Decor8 Blog (via the Inside Out Blog), where I delightedly saw them again a few days ago!

Butterfly Cushions from Treehouse Interiors

Butterfly Cushions from Angel Living

Butterfly Cushions via Compulsively Compiled

Butterfly Cushion - House to Home

Cascading Butterflies - House to Home

Butterfly Garden Print - Irene Suchocki

Beautiful vignette with Monarch Butterflies, cross, nests and eggs.

Images from New Zealand House and Home

The nursery in the bottom pic was created by Home Sweet Home, with a French chest and chair, antique iron cradle, and replica monarch butterflies. Just divine, and so atmospheric.

Did you know....

Overwhelmingly, cultural myth and lore honor the butterfly as a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis.

The butterfly has long been connected symbolically with 'the soul'. Even Christianity considers the butterfly a soulful symbol. The butterfly is depicted on ancient Christian tombs, and Christ has been illustrated holding a butterfly in Christian art.

It’s connection with the soul is rather fitting. We are all on a long journey of the soul. On this journey we encounter endless turns, shifts, and transitions. At our soul-journey’s end we are inevitably changed – not at all the same as when we started on the path. Just as the butterfly transitions eloquently from its humble beginnings as a caterpillar to the beautiful creature we love to admire.

In Greek myth, Psyche (which literally translates to mean “soul”) is represented in the form of a butterfly.

A beautiful creature, with a beautiful meaning.

One very special to me.

Ask yourself: 'What is it that has real meaning for me?'

Which leads to: 'How can I represent it within my home?'

Because: If things that matter are acknowledged and remembered, they live on.

Liz from 'It's Great To Be Home' is holding her 'Inspiration Tuesday Blog Party' today! To see what other people are inspired by today head on over for a look!

Cheers,

Linda.

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