“Why Monarch Butterflies?”

You may have noticed that I have monarch butterflies all over my website, and that is because they mean so much to me culturally, symbolically, and spiritually!

Culturally

According to the National Wildlife Foundation, about four generations of monarch butterflies appear each year. The first generation migrates to the north of the United States to lay their eggs. This is during the spring season, or The Spring Migration. The fourth generation of monarch butterflies migrates southwest to Mexico (Michoacán) during The Fall Migration because they cannot survive cold temperatures up north.

The U.S. Forest Service (United States Department of Agriculture) reports that Generation 1 monarch butterflies are the offspring of the butterflies that overwintered in Mexico. Each generation travels farther up north, with Generations 3-4 successfully reaching the northern United States and Canada.

As a child of immigrant parents who are both originally from Mexico, I am often reminded of their sacrifices as well as my grandparents’ sacrifices to come here to the United States. I have had the privilege of learning about their journeys, their adversities, their strengths, and their dreams. They each had one goal in common. Each person wanted their children to have a better and happier life than the one they had. To be the first generation born in the United States, to receive a higher education, and to work in the field I love is truly an honor and a privilege. It is a privilege I would never take for granted. I come from generations of ancestors who have shown me resilience, strength, hope, and courage. I would not be where I am today without them. As the saying goes, “The only way to go is up!”

Symbolically

For some people, butterflies may symbolize a “rebirth.” Each butterfly starts off as an egg, and they become caterpillars. After they grow completely into a caterpillar, they then form into a chrysalis. This is when they go through a transformation to become a butterfly inside the chrysalis. Finally, the adult butterfly is able to emerge from the chrysalis and fly!

I like to think that we all go through many phases in our lives that transform us, whether they are good, bad, or ugly. Our lived experiences, our environments, and our interactions with the world can change us in so many ways. We may not always be the same person we once were as we continue to grow mind, body, and spirit. However, we have the present moment to try our best to become who we hope to be in the future.

Spiritually

As someone who identifies himself as religious and spiritual, I like to think that monarch butterflies are messages from God reminding me that regardless of whatever challenges I am facing, I will be okay. I started noticing monarch butterflies back in the fall of 2019. Interestingly, this was around the same time I also renewed my faith in God as an Episcopalian. Whenever I was facing challenges at the time, both in my personal life and in my professional life, I noticed that monarch butterflies would fly past me or even toward me.

After five years, they still do! I find comfort whenever I see them flying past me because I see them as signs that things will go well for me, if not better! Whenever I am facing stressful and difficult situations, I turn to my faith. I pray whenever my struggles feel too hard for me to handle. I also pray to give God my thanks and praise, since I like to remind myself that what I have now were things I prayed for in the past.

There are times I will pray and ask God to delivery me signs to reassure me that I will be okay, and I receive them. They do not have to be real-life butterflies. Sometimes, I will come across a poster, a mural, a decoration, or anything in plain sight for me to see. You can see more below!