Celtic butterfly tattoos are a combination of beauty and of the symbolism of growth and change. View our images and learn more about the symbolism of Celtic butterfly tattoos.
 

| Symbol Meanings | Tattoo Designs | Bibliography |

 

 

Beliefs About Celtic Butterflies
It is well known that the Celts lived closely entwined with the natural world. They ascribed meanings to everything from stones to horses, to trees (see ogham). To the Celts the butterfly is a symbol of transformation, rebirth, and renewal.

The Celts believed that butterflies and other winged creatures, had souls. It was common thought that butterflies would fly around in search of a new mother. When the new mother was found it would conceal itself in her food or drink, and thus be swallowed. It would then impregnate the woman and be reborn as a human.

A butterfly fluttering around at night was a bad omen. It foretold of impending death because night was the natural domain of the butterfly’s cousin, the moth.

Butterfly Tattoo - Design 1 ($10.00)
(Item Code: CBT1)
 

Celtic Butterfly Tattoos - Design 2 ($10.00)
(Item Code: CBT2)
 
 
 
 
The Legend of Etain
The legend of Etain has been an inspiration to many butterfly tattoos. It is a story symbolic of love, transformation and treachery.

In the story, Etain was a fairy maiden. Her beauty was so great that the Fairy King Madir was captivated by her beauty and fell in love with her. Unfortunate for him, he was married and the Queen became extremely jealous. She used fairy magic and turned Etain into a butterfly and then created a great storm and blew her far away from Madir.

Many years went by in which Etain flittered from place to place until one day another fairy king recognized her and gave her a home.

Eventually the tales of Etain spread to the ears of the jealous Queen. In another jealous rage, she conjured another storm to blow Etain away again. This time though, Etain was blown into a glass of wine and was drunk by a human Queen.

Nine months later, the Queen gave birth and the princess grew up to marry the High King of Ireland. One day King Midir spotted her again, and recognized her as his long lost love… and began devising a plan to win her love once again.

Midir challenged the High King to three games of chess. The prize for the winner was a kiss from Etain. After a well thought out victory, Etain was granted his kiss. When he kissed Etain, she remembered who he was and fell in love once again. Midir used his fairy magic and disguised Etain and himself as swans. The mortal King waged war against the fairies and searched for Etain, but never found her or saw her again.

 

 



Celtic Butterflies

Celtic butterflies are some of the most colorful and distinctive tattoos of all. They are usually favored by women, but men have been known to favor Celtic butterfly tattoos as well, usually working it into other elements of a tattoo.

Butterfly  Knotwork

Celts are famous for our knot work designs. Knots symbolize the continuous cycle of life. This type of butterfly tattoo can be created by adapting the knots into the shape of a butterfly.

The Celtic butterfly tattoo design can be styled in many ways:

  • Create the Celtic butterfly with line drawings of knots that suggest the general shape of a butterfly.
  •  Use a heavier outline of the insect and fill it in with knot work in place of the typical butterfly wing design.
  • Use elaborate knot work and fill the spaces with a kaleidoscope of colors.
  • Embellish the Knotwork butterfly with other designs such as vines, flowers and other symbols of nature.
  • Use shamrock imagery using the Knot work pattern and twist the four leaves of the lucky clover into the four wings of the butterfly.
  • Substitute fairy wings with butterfly wings, resulting in a beautiful butterfly fairy.


Also a symbol of resurrection – brought on by Christians, or life after death.

Butterfly Tattoos

Butterfly tattoos are a popular option for women’s body art. They are not only beautiful, but have symbolic meaning for the Celts.

A Celtic butterfly tattoo allows for experimentation with color and shape. It is an extremely versatile design and can be placed on any part of the body. The lower back is a popular place for a Celtic butterfly tattoo.

Many women incorporate other symbols such as leaves or flowers into their Celtic butterfly tattoo. Some incorporate butterfly wings on a fairy, or even an angel to create a unique look, and unique symbolism.

In Ireland butterflies were thought of as dead souls waiting to go to purgatory. They symbolize metamorphosis and change because they start out as ugly, over-eating caterpillars. Over time, however, they change into beautiful creatures.

Butterflies also symbolize death and rebirth. Many women are drawn to the Celtic butterfly tattoo because of this symbolism. And it is no wonder, when many women often go through a difficult time in their lives and prefer to enjoy the beauty of the metamorphoses into a more beautiful life.

A butterfly is also a way of symbolizing grace and peace… and is a way to let others know that one is a nature lover and respects the natural environment.

Most people prefer the open-winged Celtic butterfly tattoos. It has a balanced look and highlights the beauty and color of a butterfly. Some people however, choose a closed wing Celtic butterfly tattoo, and even place it on the shoulder or ankle as a variation to the popular spot on the lower back, or as a variation to the popular open winged design.

Making a Celtic Knot Butterfly Tattoo
Celts are often fascinated by butterflies. There is no Celtic butterfly tattoo that is closer to the heart of an Irishman than one created by using a Celtic knot design.


There are many ways in which you can create a Celtic knot butterfly tattoo.

 

  •  The design can be created by filling the butterfly outline with even spaced dots (forming a grid), and intertwine Knotwork inside the design.
  • You can use grid paper to map out the shape of the Celtic butterfly tattoos and interlace knots into the design.

 

 

| Site Map | Links | Contact Us | Bibliography |