"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." -Rabindranath Tagore

It's true. I am a college kid. I'm sitting in my dorm at my desk (a sturdy wooden thing) by my bunk bed (I get to be on the top!) and my window (which looks out onto the parking lot and has a lovely view of the morning sun). Behind my laptop is an inspiring layout of delightful things, including my Speech Team glow in the dark star, a pretend diploma, sweetly naming me "most graceful," an I <3 Bigby bumper sticker and a picture of my sweetie.

Hanging above my bed is a friend from home: a decorative butterfly that dangles from the ceiling and makes me happy. I have always loved butterflies, from the way they flutter around so lightly and are blown about by the wind to the ticklish sensation they cause when they land on you. I was inspired to do some googling about these winged friends and found some delightful facts... including these from: href="http://www.vlinder-01.dds.nl/butterfly_symbolism.htm">http://www.vlinder-01.dds.nl/butterfly_symbolism.htm,

There is a Native American legend that says, " If you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper your wish to it. Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is ever safe in their keeping. Release the butterfly, and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit, who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies.By setting the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of nature, and your wish will surely be granted."

Psyche is the Greek word for both soul and butterfly. The belief was that butterflies were human souls searching for a new reincarnation, which gave the creature uncanny and sometimes ominous connotations. This symbolism was also used in early Christianity as a symbol of the soul. Celts thought that women became pregnant by swallowing butterfly souls. These butterfly-souls flew about seeking a new mother.

Other cultures believed that spirits of the dead took the form of white butterflies. In northern Europe to see one flying at night was a warning of death, and some said that the soul-butterfly's ability to leave the body in sleep accounts for dreams.

The Chinese believed a jade butterfly suggested a wedding of souls, making it an appropriate gift for the groom to give to his bride.

Perhaps you have heard some things about these little dudes but weren't sure whether or not to believe it. Well, my friends, I, annwithane, am here to demystify the butterfly conundrum.... THINGS YOU WEREN'T SURE WERE TRUE BUT ACTUALLY ARE:

1. Monarch butterflies journey from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about 2,000 miles, and return to the north again in the spring.

2. Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

3. Butterflies can see red, green, and yellow.

4. Many butterflies can taste with their feet to find out whether the leaf they sit on is good to lay eggs on to be their caterpillars' food or not.

5. There are more types of insects in one tropical rain forest tree than there are in the entire state of Vermont.

6. Most insects are beneficial to people because they eat other insects, pollinate crops, are food for other animals, make products we use (like honey and silk) or have medical uses.

7. People eat insects – called "Entomophagy"(people eating bugs) – it has been practiced for centuries throughout Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and North, Central and South America. Why? Because many bugs are both protein-rich and good sources of vitamins, minerals and fats.


Alright, friends, I do hope that cleared some things up for you. These 7 facts are from www.thebutterflysite.com. Check it out, it's just delightful.

If you ever run into an injured butterfly and simply can't leave it in its misery, find out what to do at Butterfly Rescue International. That's right people, an entire organization dedicated to saving our little friends!