East Texas Quarterly Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 21
Messenger from the
Spirit World
Colorful butterflies will once again fill the skies over
Jasper next month
shoulder brings you comfort.
According to Native American legends and myths
of the Pueblo tribes of southeastern Arizona and
northwest Mexico, the butterfly played a part in their
creation myth. The Creator took the most beautiful
colors of all living things and placed them into a
magical bag. He gave the magic bag to the children
and when it was opened, colored butterflies flew
“This butterfly release will be part of our monthly out singing. The children were enchanted by the
Caring and Sharing luncheon which is hosted by butterflies, but the song birds were so jealous
Lakes Area Hospice’s Bereavement Program,” says that the Creator took away the ability to sing from
Paula Moore, Compliance Officer for the local agency. the butterfly.
“This is another opportunity for Jasper area residents
To tribes such as the Blackfoot, the butterfly symbol
to honor a loved one.”
is associated with sleep and dreams. They believe
Individuals may purchase a butterfly to be released that dreams are brought to us in sleep by a butterfly.
from Lakes Area Hospice employees, according to Women embroider the sign of a butterfly on a small
Moore. Individuals are encouraged to take part in piece of buckskin and tie it to a baby’s hair or on the
this memorial butterfly release. A butterfly is $15.00. baby’s clothes to encourage the child to go to sleep.
Moore also points out there is a strong tie between There were so many tribes of Native American
Indians, it is only possible to generalize the most
the butterfly and Native American Indians.
common meaning of the butterfly symbol or pattern.
Native American Indians are a deeply spiritual people Native Indian symbols are still used as tattoos and
and they communicate their history, thoughts, ideas were used for a variety of reasons and depicted on
and dreams from generation to generation through numerous objects such as tepees, totem poles,
symbols and signs such as the butterfly symbol. musical instruments, clothes and war paint. Indian
Native
American
symbols
are
geometric tribes also used their own colors for symbols and
portrayals of celestial bodies, natural phenomena designs depending on the natural resources available
and animal designs.
On April 15th, Lakes Area Hospice will host a
memorial butterfly release on the Jasper County
courthouse square. The event, part of the hospice’s
bereavement program, will be held at 11 a.m. at the
courthouse gazebo.
The meaning of the butterfly symbol signifies
transformation as the ugly caterpillar changes into
the beautiful butterfly. The butterfly is also believed
to be a messenger from the spirit world. The message
the butterfly brings depends on their color.
A black butterfly indicates bad news or illness, yellow
brings hope and guidance, brown signifies important
news, red signifies an important event, and white
signifies good luck. A butterfly that lands on your
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