Butterfly Tattoo Art - a Symbol of Life

Butterfly tattoo art is becoming one of the most popular and requested tattoo designs, especially among women. More than 50% of the female "tattoo population" have some type of butterfly design, whether it be on their back, ankle, or chest. And for a good reason. Butterflies are unmatched in their intrinsic yet peculiar designs and beauty.

There are many speculated reasons for this surge of popularity, and many believe butterflies are just beautiful in general, and that is reason enough. However, there are others who look deeper into the issue. They believe there is strong connection or symbolism behind the butterfly.

To most cultures, a butterfly is symbolic of starting anew, or birth of new life. There are also many cultures who symbolize the butterfly as the instability and impermanence of earthly life. The life of a butterfly is very unstable, as it starts it's life as a grotesque catipillar and turns into a beautiful butterfly. This process has captivated the ancient cultures, as they believed this process was very similar of one's journey from an earthly body to a heavenly one. Early Greek cultures also used butterfly wings to symbolize the human soul or pysche.

Whatever the reason is, butterfly tattoo art is growing in popularity. Some find that finding the right butterfly tattoo design is overwhelming, due to the immense amount of variety available. These designs gain root from each species of butterfly: Plum Judy, Spicebush Swallowtail, Lime Butterfly, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Jezebel, Karner Blue, Xerces Blue, Painted Lady or Cosmopolite, Lange's Metalmark Butterfly, Common Yellow Swallowtail, and the ever famous Monarch butterfly. Although one doesn't need to know the individual species in order to design their tattoo, it might help to pick a few of your favorite types so the tattoo artist can best fit your wants and needs.