Butterflies have a special place in Irish mythology

I always think it’s not quite fair to refer to butterflies as insects. I see insects as creepy crawlies, dull in colour and having more legs than they need. On the other hand, a butterfly has a more mystical place in my mind; like a nymph of nature or a floating flower. A butterfly has class.

We have a ‘butterfly bush’ in our garden and sure enough, when it blooms, it is covered with butterflies. How such a delicate creature can survive and then present itself, providing such unrivalled colour, is a miracle of nature. In a fabulous fluttering display, they confetti the laneways of the Ox Mountain while late summer sunshine still has the power to warm their delicate wings.

Ecological indicators 

On a practical level, butterflies offer significant environmental benefits, serving as vital pollinators for fruits and flowers, acting as ecological indicators of a healthy ecosystem, and contributing to biodiversity and supporting the food web as a food source for other animals. Their presence in a habitat indicates overall environmental health, and their populations help scientists study the impacts of issues like climate change and habitat loss. Beyond their ecological roles, butterflies also hold cultural and aesthetic value, inspiring art, and bringing peace and joy wherever they appear.

The butterfly life cycle involves four stages of complete metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Adult butterflies lay eggs, which hatch into caterpillars that eat and grow, shedding their skin several times. The caterpillar then forms a chrysalis, inside which it transforms into a pupa, and finally emerges as an adult butterfly to repeat the cycle.

Not everyone fancies the caterpillar stage, especially the cabbage grower. It’s hard to believe that the beautiful butterfly of summer was once the Demon Barber of Cabbage Street. Buy hey, the caterpillar has to live too and if he didn’t eat that cabbage leaf, we would have eaten it ourselves!

There are 35 species of butterfly in Ireland and they are loosely grouped into four categories; multi-coloured, small, brown and white/yellow. Their names, like the butterflies themselves, are quite fascinating: Peacock, Painted Lady, Tortoiseshell, Silver-washed Fritillary, Holly Blue, Purple Hairstreak, Meadow Brown and Green-veined White.

The Peacock is one of our most common butterflies, its markings are unmistakable: big, blue 'eyes' just like a peacock's tail feathers. It can be seen feeding on flowers all year-round during warm spells, and overwinters as an adult. 

The Painted Lady, as the name implies, if a very colourful species. A well-travelled migrant, the Painted Lady arrives here every summer from Europe and Africa. This beautiful orange-and-black butterfly is a regular visitor to our laneways.

Butterfly symbolism 

Almost everything about the butterfly exudes symbolism, inspired no doubt by their ability to transform and their unique colouring. Aimee Schreiber, writing in her online blog (June 2021), in a piece entitled Butterfly Symbolism: Meaning, Myth, and Metamorphosis, introduces us to some of this symbolism.

As masters of metamorphosis, butterflies are significant symbols of transformation, freedom, and rebirth. These winged creatures have long been viewed as otherworldly messengers and heralds of good fortune and joy. The Greek word for butterfly, psyche, is the same word used for soul, and this association is found across many cultures.

In Japan, butterflies are associated with deceased spirits, and can be seen as both a positive and negative omen depending on the person. A departed soul either takes the form of a butterfly or is guided by butterflies to the afterlife. Throughout Europe, butterflies are predominantly associated with the soul, death, and rebirth. Celts believe butterflies are human souls in search of mothers.

In Irish mythology the butterfly, or ‘féileacáin’, is said to be the spirit of the departed who return to visit their favourite place and their loved ones to reassure them that they are alright. Up to the 1600s, it was against common law in Ireland to kill a white butterfly because they were believed to hold the souls of dead children.

The Irish charity, Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support), was established in 2009. The organisation was formed by a group of bereaved parents to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth. They explain their connection to the butterfly and why it is such an appropriate symbol for their work.

Universally it is believed that butterflies are the physical symbols of the human soul, and they have been held in love and awe. Native American legends tell that butterflies would carry wishes to the Great Spirit in heaven to be granted. We have chosen the symbol of the butterflies for Féileacáin to honour our children and to offer hope to other bereaved parents in their journey of loss.

Conservation 

If you have an interest in butterflies and would like to be part of a group who works to stem their decline, Butterfly Conservation Ireland (BCI) is a place where you will find a ready-made, like-minded community. BCI was established in 2008 by a group of dedicated naturalists following the alarming decline of our butterfly species.

Habitat specialist species like the enigmatic looking Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth and the beautiful Marsh Fritillary are increasingly threatened while little is known of the status of our most range-limited Lepidoptera such as the White Prominent, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and the Wood White.

Butterflies are valuable in themselves. But they are also important indicators of the health of our environment and climate change. We are committed to the conservation of butterflies, moths, and their habitats. We currently have a five-member board that includes a chairman and joint treasurers. Butterfly Conservation Ireland is run by dedicated volunteers with a deep concern for our butterflies.

BCI operate a nature reserve at Lullybeg in County Kildare in partnership with Bord na Móna. Active conservation techniques are implemented on the 30-hectare site to enhance the habitats for several scarce and endangered species. BCI also provide advice and information to government, public and private organisations and to the general public. They also provide regular educational content on their website, butterflyconservation.ie.

A soul to Heaven 

Pop out while the weather is still favourable. Seek out a quiet Ox Mountain wild flower patch and observe the butterflies. They will colour your evening and lighten your heart. Enjoy the Painted Lady as she flutters by, for who knows, she may be guiding a soul to the afterlife.

Incidentally, when it rains, butterflies seek shelter from the downpour by hiding under leaves or in other sheltered locations like tree hollows or tall grasses.

To donate to Féileacáin, go to www.feileacain.ie.