Literature of the West: #1 Native American Butterfly Myths

Butterflies represent many significant things in life. For me, butterflies represent freedom and new beginnings. Butterflies have been a special part of my life ever since my mother called me her “butterfly.” She told me that I reminded her of a butterfly coming out of a cocoon when she left an abusive partner. She said that I was always quiet, timid, and afraid until she left him. She said, “It was as if you were kept in a cocoon until freedom released you. You then became this beautiful, social, and confident butterfly.” To this day, I appreciate the symbolism of a butterfly. Many paths have led me back to this metamorphosis. I may find myself in a cocoon at times, but I will always find a way out. I will wiggle my way out to freedom and new beginnings.

My love for butterflies and my Native American roots sent me on a journey to find Native American myths about butterflies. I came across a tale that reminded me of why butterflies are significant to me. The Cherokee and the Shoshone share a similar story about the legend of the Butterfly Dance. Women in these tribes perform a ritual dance called, “Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance.” The ritual is sometimes referred to as, “The Butterfly Dance.” The women wear a shawl that represents butterfly wings. Their dance movements reflect the way a butterfly flutters.

The dance is a representation of a Native American butterfly legend. The story is about a beautiful butterfly that loses her mate in a battle. She becomes so distraught over the loss of her mate that she wraps herself back into a cocoon. She decides to take a long journey because her family is troubled with her emotional state. In her sadness, she keeps her head down and focuses on every little place that she steps. Eventually, she steps on a pebble that is so immaculate that it healed her depression. In her happiness, she shook of the cocoon and danced with thanksgiving. The butterfly was thankful to start a life anew.

According to AAA Native Arts retelling of the story, “To this day, the People dance this dance as an expression of renewal, and to give thanks for new seasons, new life, and new beginnings” (Cherokee Legend of the Butterfly Dance). The Cherokee and Shoshone People symbolize the butterfly much like I do. To them, butterflies are symbols of new life, new beginnings, and new seasons.

Have you ever felt like a chapter in your life closed only to find a new chapter beginning? This is the beauty of the butterfly! When one door closes, another door will open. Or in the words of a butterfly, “When you are locked in a cocoon, don’t fret. Look forward to the new beginning you are about to face.” Every new beginning is beautiful, bright, and exciting, much like the brilliant beauty of a butterfly.

And remember, a caterpillar can only crawl. It isn’t until the caterpillar has experienced the darkness of the cocoon that he can soar to the heavens.