Magic of Life - Butterfly House
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​MAGIC OF LIFE

BUTTERFLY HOUSE | ABERYSTWYTH

The Butterfly Symbol

​Departed souls

Round the world, butterflies are seen as the departed souls of our ancestors. Indigenous people recognise the chrysalis as the soul trapped inside in the body. The emergence of the adult butterfly symbolises the freedom of the soul upon death.

Butterflies and metamorphosis

The change from caterpillar though to the chrysalis and emergence as a butterfly is the greatest change in the animal world. It symbolises significant change in the course of one’s life, personality or way of thinking.

The caterpillar stage with its voracious appetite has been linked to insatiable materialism. The chrysalis stage represents fundamental changes occurring on the inside, for example in one’s mentality or point of view. The final adult butterfly stage is seen as the free expression of these changes in the outside world.

Psyche

The Greeks likened the butterfly’s constant flitting from flower to flower to the restlessness of the mind: constantly changing from subject to subject. Indeed, the Greek word for butterfly is ‘psyche’ from where we get our word ‘psychology’ – the study of the mind.

Modern day symbols
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In the western world, the symbol of the butterfly stands for freedom, fun and joyous times. It is also symbolises a state of naturalness and purity.
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Home
History
Staff
The butterfly symbol
​Other animals
The garden
What we do
The Butterflies
Insects and others
Location and prices
Schools and groups
Rheidol Valley
Local attractions
Changing attitudes
Breeding giant beetles
Coral
Breeding butterflies
The Birdwing - Troidini project
​Resources
Contact us

Gift Aid
The Magic of Life Trust is a Registered Charity No 1159917
The Magic of Life Butterfly House
CwmRheidol
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Wales
SY23 3NB
(What3words:  ///major.score.tortoises)
Tel 01970 880928
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  • Home
  • VISITOR INFO
    • Location and prices
    • Schools and groups
    • Rheidol Valley
    • Local attractions
  • Magic of Life - The Trust
    • What we do
    • Animal and Plant Collections
    • The Butterfiles
    • Insects and Others
    • The Garden
    • The Butterfly Symbol
    • History
    • Staff
    • Links
  • Conservation
    • Resources
    • The Birdwing - Troidini Project
    • Changing attitudes
    • Breeding giant beetles
    • Coral Collections
    • Breeding butterflies
  • Contact us