In Japan, the butterfly is a symbol of eternity and reincarnation. This is due to the transformations it undergoes during its lifetime. This characteristic has attracted the imagination of people since the Nara Period (710 – 794) and the HeianPeriod (794 – 1185).

The butterfly pattern has been introduced into the “yusoku monyo” , the traditional design motifs of court nobles. Moreover, it was also used as a samurai‘s emblem as a symbol of immortality.

In Chinese, the pronunciation of the word butterfly (蝶 die) is the same as the word elder (耋 die).Therefore, also in Japan it is regarded as a symbol of longevity.

Other meanings associated with butterflies are the souls of departed people, but also happy marriages and the transformation of girls into beautiful women.

In Madama Butterfly, the famous opera by Giacomo Puccini, the main character that gives the name to the play is called exactly Cho-Cho san.

Consult the complete list of Japanese patterns HERE.