Tiger Swallowtail
Tiger, tiger in the sky
Flashing gold, you soar and fly
Sudden flutter softly by
Sweet and fleeting butterfly!
Butterfly symbolic meanings: Inspiration, intuition, higher consciousness, transformation, resurrection, flashes of insight, power of beauty, strength in vulnerability.
Specific butterfly species may carry additional meanings. Here are my thoughts on the Tiger Swallowtail:
Tiger Swallowtail Totem: Integrating One’s Power
Did you know that the Tiger Swallowtail has two color morphs, black and yellow? I didn’t know until recently that all males are yellow – only the females sometimes appear in black form. Also, only the females (of both color morphs) sport the beautiful silvery blue crescents on the bottom edge of their back wings.
It speaks to me of the special connection women have with the moon. And whether you’re a man or a woman, the ability to balance and honor both the solar (masculine, proactive) and lunar (feminine, intuitive) aspects of your inner being.
Yellow. The color of the sun. Warmth, light, vitality, action! Yellow is also the color most associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the power center of the body.
Black. The color of night. Rest, dreams, that which is hidden. This is the realm of intuition, and regeneration.
With its vivid black and yellow stripes and dots, the Tiger Swallowtail speaks to us of integrating these two aspects of our selves. Black on yellow, yellow on black, rhythmically interspersed with each other.
This is the rhythm of the universe. Day, night. Inbreath, outbreath. Wake and sleep.
Traditional cultures honor this rhythm. They set aside time to rest, time to pray, time to heal.
Our society tends to put a premium on action, at the expense of rest. It’s a 24/7 world now, and many of us push ourselves ruthlessly to keep up.
Do you find yourself running on caffiene-laced fumes? Routinely pushing through to find your second wind?
It’s good to test our limits once in a while, but we weren’t made to do it day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. We think it’s a sign of strength. But sooner or later people who do this hit the wall. Burnout. Adrenal exhaustion.
Tiger Swallowtail reminds us to honor our natural rhythms.
Feeling blue, or in a black mood, is often just our body telling us to take it easy for a bit. If you find yourself feeling tired, cranky or sad, give yourself permission to let down for a while. Schedule “down time” into your calendar. Take an hour or a day or a week off if you need it.
No offense to men, but I think women have to be especially aware of our body’s need for rest at certain times. By honoring it, we honor ourselves.Yes, it means acknowledging that we are vulnerable.
But when we embrace that vulnerable side of ourselves, love it, and give it what it needs…
Wow! That’s allowing ourselves to tap deeply into our power to revitalize our lives…so we can take wing as the beautiful souls we truly are.
Terrific post and I LOVE this painting!! Is it watercolor?
Thank you! Yes, it is painted in transparent watercolor.
Terrific post and I LOVE this painting!! Is it watercolor?
Thank you! Yes, it is painted in transparent watercolor.
Beautiful art work and wonderfully insightful thoughts about the details and meanings attributable to this particular butterfly.
Thank you, M.J.
Beautiful art work and wonderfully insightful thoughts about the details and meanings attributable to this particular butterfly.
Thank you, M.J.
First. Your painting is absolutely beautiful!!! One of the best I have seen of a butterfly. I so embrace your ability to share your feelings about color and I did not know that about black. I am in total agreement that this is a 24/7 world and those of us who have chosen to honor a more balanced lifestyle are often looked upon as being a bit “lazy”. It has been my experience, however, that the more balanced seem to really accomplish a bit more. Very good post, Anne! Thank you!
First. Your painting is absolutely beautiful!!! One of the best I have seen of a butterfly. I so embrace your ability to share your feelings about color and I did not know that about black. I am in total agreement that this is a 24/7 world and those of us who have chosen to honor a more balanced lifestyle are often looked upon as being a bit “lazy”. It has been my experience, however, that the more balanced seem to really accomplish a bit more. Very good post, Anne! Thank you!
Thank you, Leslie. And I think you are so right that when we’re in a balanced place we do accomplish more. And it actually feels easy! 🙂 Hmm. That gives me an idea for another post… 🙂
Thank you, Leslie. And I think you are so right that when we’re in a balanced place we do accomplish more. And it actually feels easy! 🙂 Hmm. That gives me an idea for another post… 🙂
Tiger tiger burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
WBlake
….I love this! ????????????????
Thank you!
Tiger tiger burning bright
In the forest of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
WBlake
….I love this! ????????????????
Thank you!