Fast Updates:
Wishing you all a safe and happy September!
Due to unforeseeable events Midwest Monster Fest has been postponed. I will update the event as soon as I receive more information.
readersfavorite.com will have three of my available books listed as prizes in the monthly book giveaway. If you are interested in winning some amazing books by great authors you can check out the monthly giveaway here: book giveaway /Rise or/and here: book-giveaway/lost and here for The Warning Signs: giveaway/the-warning-signs
Upcoming Event Reminders:
2022
Concealed Realms will be at Toy Haven on September 3rd at the Holland Civic Center in Holland, MI.
Concealed Realms plans to participate at Midwest Monster Fest on September 16th ,17th , and 18th. This event is scheduled to take place in East Moline, IL at The Rust Belt: mwmonsterfest (Event Postponed)
We will be returning to the Des Moines Merle hay Mall for Quad Con on Sept 24th and 25th!
We plan to return to Milwaukee, WI for Sci-Fi Family Day at Discovery World! This years event is scheduled to take place on October 1st.
We plan to return to Iowa for ICON47! This event takes place from October 14 to the 16th at the Marriott in Cedar Rapids.
Concealed Realms will be at OddMall:Hallowondrous in Akron, Ohio. The event is set to take place on October 21st and 22nd.
We plan on returning to Burlington, IA QuadCon! This event is set to takes place on November 19th and 20th at the Westland Mall.
2023
Concealed Realms plans to participate at the Ceder Rapids QuadCon on February 5th. This event takes place at the Cedar Rapids Convention Center.
We are scheduled to participate at the Hall of Heroes Comic Con on March 4th and 5th. This event takes place at the Northern Indiana Event Center, located in Elkhart, IN.
Quotes Regarding Butterfly’s:
“Story is a butterfly whose wings transport us to another
world where we receive gifts that
change who we are and who we want to be.” – Harley King
“Butterflies are not called butterflies overnight.
They have to undergo tons of changes
in order to acquire that name.” – Michael Bassey Johnson
“Butterflies are but flowers
that blew away one sunny day
when Nature was feeling at her most inventive
and fertile.” – George Sand
“For when ideas flutter in haze,
we collaborate without notice and collect
them as butterflies only to set
them free into the world.” – Shawn Lukas
“Literature and butterflies are
the two sweetest passions known to man.” –Vladimir Nabokov
”Read like a butterfly, write like a bee.” – Philip Pullman
“But on paper, things can live forever.
On paper, a butterfly
never dies.”
– Jacqueline Woodson
“There’s a metaphor Vincent Eades likes to use:
“If you examine a butterfly according to
the laws of aerodynamics,
it shouldn’t be able to fly.
But the butterfly doesn’t know that,
so it flies.” – Howard Schultz
It has been said that something as small as the flutter
of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause
a typhoon halfway around the world.” – Author Unknown
”Although the butterfly and
the caterpillar are completely different,
they are one and the same.” – Kendrick Lamar
Definition of Metamorphosis :
Dictionary.com
Noun, plural
a. (Biology) “a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.”
b. “a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft.” – www.dictionary.com
Merriam Webster.com
Noun
1: “change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means the metamorphosis of humans into animals”
2: “a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (such as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies” – merriam-webster.com
Butterfly Myth
Butterflies have had a prominent role in the mythology, lore, and legends of many societies and cultures since ancient times. Much of the symbolism connected with the insect comes from its remarkable life cycle.
These insects start their lives as very tiny eggs, then hatch into a caterpillar(larva) which inches its way along eating leaves. After a while, though, the caterpillar cocoons itself in a hard, yet smooth chrysalis (pupa), where it begins to transform into something entirely new. When its remarkable metamorphosis is complete, the adult insect emerges as a vibrant, colorfully winged butterfly.
Even today, many people draw inspiration, insight, and wisdom from this incredible transformation but watching an adult butterfly in action can be a truly remarkable experience as well. This insects delicate wings hardly seem strong enough to create enough lift to overcome gravity, let alone to allow for it to soar and glide through the air. Yet it does, and with such gracefulness and beauty as it maneuvers, that some have even called its flight ethereal. Perhaps this in part, is why many cultures relate butterflies to the human soul.
In this mythology post we will delve into some of lore and myth from around the world that surrounds this insect and its journey, share some interesting facts about butterflies, then compare some of the main similarities and differences between butterflies and moths.
A sampling of Butterflies in mythology, Lore, and Customs
In Aztec mythology, Itzpapalotl primarily appears in the form of the Obsidian Butterfly. This skeletal warrior goddess with butterfly wings, was said to rule over the paradise world of Tamoanchan which is believed to be the paradise of victims of infant mortality and the place identified as where humans were created.
It is also said that the Aztec believed that the happy dead would return to visit their relatives as a way to assure them that all was well, in the form of beautiful butterflies that flew around the house.
In Ancient Egypt, butterflies at rest and flying have been immortalized on amulets, jewelry, statuettes, and in murals. This insect was even a standard decorative element in tomb imagery for over three millennia, however, the role of butterflies and the purpose the images held, have been long debated.
Well some propose that the use the these insects was purely decorative, others believe that the butterfly was an insect with symbolism associated with freedom, re-birth, and safe passage to the afterlife, in part due to the size and coloration depicted in the artwork and its use on important amulets, jewelry and other items used in rituals.
It is said that in Ancient Greece, Aristotle gave the butterfly the name Psyche. In Greek, Psyche is the word for soul and the name of the god Eros’ (or Cupid in Roman Mythology) lover, the goddess of the soul. As such in artwork, Psyche is often depicted with butterfly wings.
The story of Eros and Psyche is one of transformation and over coming obstacles. Below you can read a condensed version or follow this link to the full story: theoi.com
Eros and Psyche
Born a mortal woman, Psyche’s beauty was said to rival that of Aphrodite (Venus). The goddess became so jealous of her that she told her son Eros’ to cause Psyche to fall in love with a monster.
Instead, the god became so infatuated with Psyche that he married her, but with the condition that she could never see his face. After some prodding by her sisters, the mortal woman’s curiosity got the better of her and she stole a glance, violating his trust and causing him to flee.
Psyche takes revenge on her sisters then begins to wander the earth looking for her lost love, but Aphrodite finds her first and makes her face four trials, which do not end well for the young woman. Fortunately Eros, having forgiven Psyche finds her and brings her to Olympus, where she is granted immortality.
Butterflies have played a large role in Native American cultures. Often having a strong spiritual connection to nature, many tribes decorated their clothes, teepees, and possessions with butterflies. Given the diversity between tribes and regions, who all have their own unique, ideas, knowledge, expierences, and names for the butterfly, I have chosen just a few examples of the many to. share.
The Blackfeet of North America believed that butterflies helped to bring sleep and dreams. The insects symbol was often embroidered onto a small piece of buckskin which would be tied into a child’s hair by their mother as she sang a lullaby asking the butterfly to come put the child to sleep.
For the Tohono O’odham people of the American Southwest, if you catch a butterfly without harming it, then whisper a request to the butterfly, it will be granted in exchange for its release. And since a butterfly cannot speak, the only one who will know the secret of your wish or prayer, will be the Great Spirit.
In Hopi mythology, the butterfly also played an important role. The spirit of the butterfly is personified in Hopi Kachina figures and its symbol was as a common feature on prehistoric pottery. This insects symbology was also used throughout rituals, and during the butterfly dance, which is a traditional social dance that recognizes the butterfly for its beauty and its contribution to pollinating plant life. This dance is held after the gathering of the harvest and is said to be a petition for rain, good health, and long life in regards to all living things.
In Japan the butterfly was at one time considered to be the soul of a living man or woman. It was believed that if it entered a guest room and pitched behind the bamboo screen it was a sure sign that the person whom it represented would soon appear in the house.
The presence of butterflies could be regarded as a good omen, though it seems that was dependent on the characteristics of the individual represented by the butterfly. For example it is said that when Taira-no-Masakado (a powerful landowner regarded as the first samurai) was secretly preparing for his revolt, a vast swarm of the insects appeared in Kyoto frightening the people who saw them. It has been suggested that the butterflies were a premonition of near death or the spirits of those fated to fall in battle.
It is said that in both Japanese and Chinese cultures, the beautiful butterfly represents the essence of happiness and joy. It is also a common artistic motif present in manuscripts, drawings, and paintings.
Perhaps one of China’s best known folk tales, the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai or The Butterfly Lovers, can be traced back to more than a thousand years. The story tells a tale of two people held apart by social restrictions. You can read a shortened version of the story below or click the following link to read the longer version: en.wikipedia.org
Liang and Zhu
Zhu, the only daughter of wealthy family, convinces her father to allow her to attend classes disguised as a man, since woman were discouraged from such pursuits. She soon meets the scholar, Liang and the pair study together for the next three years. During this time Zhu gradually falls in love with Liang.
One day, Zhu receives a letter from her father, telling her to return home as soon as possible. Zhu has no choice but to pack her bags and bid Liang farewell. However, in her heart, she is already determined to be with him for all eternity.
Months later when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is actually a woman and the pair vow to stay together until “till death do us part”, but there joyous reunion is short lived. They soon find out that Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry a wealthy man. Heartbroken Liang’s health deteriorates slowly until he passes away.
On the day of Zhu’s marriage, strong winds prevent the wedding party from escorting her beyond Liang’s grave, which lies along the route. She leaves the procession to pay her respects, but once there descends into despair, begging for the grave to open up. When it does, she throws herself in to join Liang. Their spirits emerge in the form of a pair of butterflies and fly away together, never to be separated again.
Ten Interesting Facts About Butterfly’s
Did you know that according to Irish folklore, it is important to keep an eye on butterflies because, they’re known for the ability to pass between this world and the next, or that it’s considered bad luck to kill a white butterfly because those are said to hold the souls of deceased children. Until the 1600s the act of killing a white butterfly was against common law. Below you will find ten more interesting facts about these insects.
- According to www.dw.com,Researchers have unearthed evidence that the butterfly fluttered about 200 million years ago.
- Most butterflies live on nectar from flowers, but some sip liquid from rotting fruits, rotting animal flesh, blood, sweat, urine, or tears.
- Adult butterflies do not defecate, it may expel some excess liquid, but generally they use up all they eat for energy.
- A butterfly’s sense of taste is found in its feet, not in its proboscis.
- Butterflies are cold blooded and cannot fly if they are cold.
- The only continent on which no Lepidoptera have been found is Antarctica.
- Butterflies have been represented in art since the Neolithic period.
- Most adult butterflies only live for 1 or 2 weeks.
- In written use, the word “butterfly” goes back to about the year 700.
- The world’s largest butterfly has a wingspan of up to 12 inches and the world’s smallest has a wingspan of 0.5 to 0.75 inch.
Butterfly or Moth?
Some say the obsidian butterfly of Aztec mythology, could actually be a bat, or a moth. In my opinion, the later sounds most plausible to me as a moth and a butterfly have many similarities and could easily have there representations in artwork mistaken for each other.
Moths and Butterfly’s may seem very comparable at first glance, after all they do share some common traits such as having wings, an exoskeleton, a 3-parted segmented body, 3 pairs of legs, and one pair of antennae. Both of these insects, belong to the order Lepidoptera, meaning they have scale covered wings with distinctive markings, and larvae that are caterpillars.
Despite these similarities, butterflies and moths have a number of behavioral and physical differences that can help make it easy to discern between these two types of insects. For instance, moths are typically smaller than butterflies, have feathery or comb-like antennae and tend to hold their wings in a tent like fashion which hides the abdomen, whereas the larger insects known as butterflies have thin antennae with club-shaped tips and tend to fold their wings vertically up over their backs.
Comparing Some Distinctive Characteristics.
There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth. These nocturnal insects tend to have dull, brown or beige wings that can help to camouflage them on dark objects like bark and leaves during the day.
There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world. These insects, are diurnal and although they also camouflage themselves in the same way moths do, they are typically more brilliantly colored. Their strikingly decorated wings are often an attempt to warn predators that they contain bad tasting chemicals.
Though these various traits can usually help you distinguish a butterfly from a moth, there are a few exceptions to these rules. For example, the comet moth sports brilliant yellow wings dotted with bright red spots and is active during the day, and the schaus swallowtail butterflies coloration is a pattern of dull browns and yellows.
Final thoughts
Humanity has long held a fascination with the colorful winged insects known as butterflies. Have you ever tried to catch one to get a better look? Often you think that you have captured the light and airy insect, just to realize it has fluttered out of your grasp in the milliseconds it took you to reach for it.
Its no wonder that the fragility and freedom of butterflies, as well as their natural and complex metamorphosis has inspired us for so long. This insect is one of nature’s most superb examples of transformation, change, and growth. Many cultures look to this flying insect with reverence and use it as a symbol for life concepts.
I really had a lot of fun learning facts and lore surrounding the butterfly, but I am also looking forward to diving into my next post.
I want to thank you for your continued support. I hope that you enjoyed this mythology article! Stay safe and keep being awesome.
Want to Learn more History, and facts surrounding butterflies?
Check out these other sites:
bringbutterfliesback.org, sciencing.com, news.artnet.com,britannica.com,thesca.org,aworldforbutterflies.com
Check out these sites:
mightyconshows.com
QuadCon
Peoriacon
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iowa-icon.com
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