On the Wing 2

On the Wing

Butteflies are lovely, silent, like angels.  In the Middle Ages they were a common symbol for the Resurrection: first there is a stumpy little caterpillar, earthbound and greedy; then it apparently dies and is buried in the coffin of its own cocoon; the butterfly emerges metamorphosed-colorful, beautiful, apparently no longer needing food (adult butterflies are primarily nectar drinking), and flying free on gentle wings.  The image is better even than it first appears because something very dreadful and frightening happens inside the chrysalis.  We use the word 'cocoon' now to mean a place of safety and escape, but in fact the caterpillar, having constructed its own grave, does not develop smoothly, growing wings onto its first body, but disintegrates entirely, breaking down into an organic slime which then regenerates in a completely new form.  It goes as a child into the dark place and is lost; it emerges the beautiful princess, or proven hero.  The forest is full of such magic, both in reality and in the stories.

-from the book From the Forest by  Sara Maitland