These Spiritual Interpretations of Butterflies Will Fill Your Soul With Joy

If you are lucky enough to live in a region with an abundance of butterflies — or if you've cultivated a garden to attract butterflies — you may be wondering about the deeper meaning of your interactions with these beautiful insects.

We have attained a greater understanding, thanks to novel technology, of how butterflies view the world; could they see us humans as a safe haven upon which to land?

Let's do a deep dive into the cultural beliefs and possible spiritual meanings of what it means when a butterfly lands on you.

According to the company Spiritual Meanings, the rare occurrence of a butterfly landing on you means that they recognize the light that resides within you. The butterfly may sense the energy within you, and if they land on your hand, they likely feel safe in your presence.

While a butterfly landing on you is itself a moment to be cherished, according to Spiritual Meanings the location of where the creature lands is also meaningful.

If the butterfly lands on your leg or foot, it may be a message that you need to take on a more positive attitude; if the butterfly lands on your shoulder, you can expect to meet someone who may prove crucial to that path towards growth; and if the butterfly lands on your head, you may begin on a path seeking growth and change.

According to Christianity.com, some Christians believe that there are many connections between the lifecycle of a butterfly and of Jesus Christ.

The butterfly also holds meaning in the Jewish religion. Per Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran via OU Torah, "The metamorphosis to butterfly demands the desire and willingness to fly, to be independent, to leave behind a way of being that was limiting."

After I lost my brother, I found some sense of solace when butterflies fluttered by my side in the same spot every day on my afternoon jogs. According to California Psychics, butterflies hovering around you may indeed be a sign of a loved one from beyond trying to attract your attention. They may be carrying a spiritual message, perhaps that they safely passed on to a spiritual realm of existence.

According to The Land World, some Native American tribes believe that a butterfly landing on you signifies joy, or may be a harbinger of change. For instance, in the Zuni culture, butterflies represent fertility and transformation, as is often depicted in traditional Zuni arts, according to the University of Florida.

According to the Harn Museum of Art, Chinese culture recognizes butterflies as tokens of love, romance, and the happy love that a couple shares — especially when a piece of art depicts butterflies near flowers.

On a more scientific level, butterflies are drawn to the salt in a person's sweat, according to Wildlife Informer. The sweat can even provide butterflies with nutrients! Luckily, butterflies will not bite you if they land on you, nor will they attempt to draw blood like other insects.