Why the Butterfly?

You'll notice butterflies all over this site! I’ve always loved them for their colour, grace and symmetry, for their symbolism of transformation, personal growth and liberation - what better logo could there be for The Joy of Sixty?

At first glance they seem ephemeral and fragile, but they have survived the challenges of their lifecycle, overcome vulnerability and dodged predators. Their metamorphosis from crawling caterpillar to winged creature speaks of leaving the past behind and embracing a new beginning, flying free, soaring to new heights. (Wow, that’s a lot for those delicate wings to carry….)

I have a beautiful filigree butterfly tattooed on my left shoulder (more about that in another article) and I am irresistably drawn to their images on artwork, home décor, stationery and jewellery. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is one of my favourite books for children, enjoyed by my son thirty years ago and now by my grandson.

Of course, there's more to butterflies than greetings cards and printed T-shirts: every summer I participate in the citizen science project, The Big Butterfly Count, run by Butterfly Conservation (https://butterfly-conservation.org/)

You simply sit still in a quiet place (your garden or a public space) for 15 minutes and observe. You record every butterfly (or moth) you see, identifiable on their App or handy chart, then submit your results. These help in the assessment not only of the health of the butterfly population but also of our environment, as these finely-tuned creatures are sensitive to any change in their habitat.

The first time I did this, I was shocked at how difficult I found it just to sit still for 15 minutes while being aware of my surroundings. I had a restless urge to stand up and walk about, pull a weed out of the lawn or go and make a cup of tea. Reflecting back on it, I realise it was a useful lesson in meditation, at which I have improved – something else to be grateful to butterflies for.

There is definitely something joyful about butterflies!