NPPF Comm3: Misc notes (6)

[Dave Monroe]

"Butterfly" in other languages
 
psyche
ancient Greek
Also meant "soul", and "breath" (now "mind", of
course).
Note that the human Psyche was lovers with the god
Eros (at least until she did the forbidden, gazing on
his sleeping form, invisible save by the oil lamp she
lit); compare the sexual butterfly images in Nabokov's
_Ada_.

There may also be a connection, based on shape, of
butterflies with the Minoan labrys, or double axe of
the Labyrinth.
 
http://www.insects.org/ced4/etymology.html

"The fable of Cupid and Psyche is usually considered
allegorical. The Greek name for a butterfly is Psyche,
and the same word means the soul. There is no
illustration of the immortality of the soul so
striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on
brilliant wings from the tomb in which it has lain,
after a dull, grovelling, caterpillar existence, to
flutter in the blaze of day and feed on the most
fragrant and delicate productions of the spring.
Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by
sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for
the enjoyment of true and pure happiness." Bullfinch's
Mythology

http://www.bullworks.net/ffg/psyche/psyche.html

The fable of Cupid and Psyche is usually considered
allegorical. The Greek name for a butterfly is Psyche,
and the same word means the soul. There is no
illustration of the immortality of the soul so
striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on
brilliant wings from the tomb in which it has lain,
after a dull, grovelling, caterpillar existence, to
flutter in the blaze of day and feed on the most
fragrant and delicate productions of the spring.*
Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by
sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for
the enjoyment of true and pure happiness.
* [see Aristotle's History of Animals 551a.1] 

In works of art Psyche is represented as a maiden with
the wings of a butterfly, along with Cupid, in the
different situations described in the allegory.

http://www.bulfinch.org/fables/bull11.html

In antiquity, the image of a butterfly emerging from
its chrysalis stood for the soul leaving the body at
death. This emergence can be paralleled to the
artistic means by which Psyche seems as though she is
emerging beyond the butterfly wings behind her.
Finally, the ever-present white light in the
background lends an aura of resurrection and new life.
It was also interesting that Cupid is portrayed here
without his bow and arrow, his trademark. Perhaps, he
no longer needs his bow and arrow, because he has
finally kindled the love of his life - Psyche.

http://www.artrenewal.org/articles/2001/Cupid_and_Psyche/cupidpsyche1.asp

Psyche: Element of Spirit 
Though the name and story of Psyche comes to us from a
Greek legend, the origin of Psyche both as an
archetype and as a primordial goddess can be traced
all the way to Neolithic worship of Butterfly and Bee
Goddesses. Such creatures who undergo a physical
metamorphosis became symbols for the death of the body
and rebirth of the spirit in a different form.
 
The butterfly as a living metaphor for reincarnation
was one of humanity's earliest spiritual teachings,
recorded in carvings, and painted pottery. Her largest
following was in Minoan Crete where She had shrines
and celebrations connected to the pollination of the
crops. Indeed, one of the most famous symbols of
Minoan culture, the Labrys, was a double-bladed ax
whose shape mimicked the form of the Butterfly. The
Labrys represented Death, which releases the Soul
whose symbol was a butterfly. The Labrys was a many
layered symbol of Death and Rebirth in a single ritual
object. It later became stylized into the form of the
Greek letter Psi, symbol of the mind itself. 

http://www.mythicimages.com/printpsyche.htm

Soul 

Butterflies are souls of the dead 
waiting to Pass through Purgatory. 

The butterfly symbolizing the occurs in numerous
cultures over many centuries. Perhaps the most
prominent association of the butterfly with the soul
is with Psyche. 

The myth of Psyche originated in the Orient. A Myth
said the Rhetors (mere talkers) is "an untrue
narrative representing truth." This myth is a good
example of approaching "profound realities of Nature
by poetic intuition." "Its secret sense shows through
thanks to the symbolism of the butterfly." 

http://www.insects.org/ced4/symbol_list3.html

And see as well, e.g., ...

http://www.consultsos.com/pandora/psyche.htm

Not so easily excerpted.  But do check out that
artrenewal.org article for the images as well ...

--- David Morris <fqmorris at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> Very nice Michael.  I'll have to look at this myth
> again.  I didn't know Psyche was represented as a
> butterfly/moth.  Was it so in ancient times?  Can
> you pass along some URL's or references?

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