Butterfly Tattoos
Butterfly Tattoos
Butterfly tattoos are some of the most requested designs in the tattoo world today. They are tattoos of natural and striking beauty and are most commonly chosen by women. Butterfly tattoos are created in a variety of sizes, colors, and layouts and can represent a variety of meanings to those wearing them. They may be chosen as 
representations of transformation, attraction, good luck, freedom or achievement; however, like all tattoos each design has its own meaning. Any butterfly tattoo design can be uniquely tailored to one's liking, from tribal to traditional or from vibrantly colored to a simple black graphic design.
Many people regard butterflies as emblems of renewal or transfiguration since caterpillars go through such transformations in their lifetime. This astonishing process had many ancient cultures comparing the journey the human soul embarks on its passage from earth to heaven. It has even been thought that the butterfly carries the soul to heaven or that the radical change of a butterfly is a soul arriving back on earth. Conversely, some see this insect as a sign of instability and impermanence because the butterfly goes through such drastic change in its lifetime.
The Butterfly in History
Greece:
The Greek culture believed that when a butterfly released itself from its cocoon, a human soul emerged. They also considered the butterfly to be the soul of loved ones who had passed away. The Greek god Eros, god of love and passion, had a lover by the name of Psyche. "Psyche," is the ancient Greek word for butterfly, translating to mean soul. In drawings of the two, there were often butterflies surrounding the pair.
Mexico:
In Mexico, the Aztecs regarded butterflies as souls of both the fallen warriors in battle and the souls of women
who were lost during childbirth: the Aztecs believed these were the two most dignified ways to die. It has also been said that butterflies are souls of the deceased returning from the dead since Monarch butterflies annually migrate south to Mexico arriving around the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead." Another theory is that butterflies represent the ancient Mexican butterfly diety—the goddess of both human sacrifice and war. There was also a group of people in Mexico known as "Popolucas" whom adopted the butterfly as their symbol for fire which they wore as a logo on the breastplate of their battle gear.
Japan:
In Japan, butterflies have many meanings. It is believed that one butterfly embodies young womanhood while two butterflies are seen as a representation of marital bliss. There is also a Japanese legend that says if a butterfly comes into your room and perches behind a bamboo screen, your lover is coming to you. The Japanese also believe the insect represents both grace and beauty. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the butterflies were favored by Japanese samurais and warlords while often being used as family or clan crests—picked for their balance of elegance and frailty as well as their ability to transform from simple caterpillars to extraordinary butterflies. Geisha's are another Japanese group who are often affiliated with these delicate insects.
In Japan, large groups of butterflies are also seen as a negative omen. In the 1185 naval battle of Dan-no-ura of the Genpei War, the Minamoto clan outnumbered the Taira clan. The Taira General surrendered and told the enemy which ship was their crucial ship. The Minamotos zeroed in and brought the vessel down. Because the Taira clan lost, their survivors committed suicide by jumping from the decks of their ships into the sea—an honorable death so to not live in disgrace from losing a battle. Legend states that as the men jumped to their death, butterflies rose to the skies. It was believed these butterflies were their souls fluttering to heaven.
China:
The Chinese see butterflies as representations of love—more specifically, young love. There is an ancient legend that they embody the undying bond between soul mates. Because butterflies flutter from flower to flower, they are also thought to exemplify thriving social lives for both adolescents and those young at heart.
Ireland:
In Celtic culture, butterflies are seen as symbols of the soul; therefore, the choice of a butterfly tattoo in this culture would mean something very personal. They are also associated with inspiration, honor, elegance and rebirth. The Celts view rebirth as a critical asset because they strongly believe in the recycling of life. Conversely, some people in Ireland consider butterflies to be representations of souls waiting to enter purgatory.
Celebrities with Butterfly Tattoos
Julia Roberts/Actress: Butterfly tattooed on her lower back
Sandra Bullock/Actress: Butterfly tattooed on her lower abdomen
Drew Barrymore/Actress: Butterfly tattooed under her navel
Paris Hilton/Heirss: Butterfly tattooed between her shoulder blades
Mariah Carey/Singer: Butterfly tattooed on her lower back
Dolly Parton/Singer: Butterfly tattooed on her chest
Brittany Spears/Singer: Butterfly tattooed on her left foot
Krissy Taylor/Model: Butterfly tattooed on her left foot
Melissa Joan Hart/Actress: Butterfly tattooed above her left breast
Willa Ford/Musician: Butterfly tattooed on both her lower abdomen and right side or her neck
Anne Heche/Actress: Butterfly tattooed on her lower back
Jaceon Taylor/Rapper: Butterfly tattooed under his right eye
Jessica Harp/Singer: Butterfly tattooed on the back of her neck
Cheryl Tweedy/Singer: Butterfly tattooed on her lower back
