Irish Folklore, Butterflies and the Meaning of Dealan-de

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I decided to share a wee bit of history on the
Gaelic word Dealan-de which is the name of my jewelry designs. I'm of Scott-Irish descent and cherish the culture of my ancestors. When I discovered the meaning of Dealan-de, I knew it was the name I had to use for my jewelry.

From MacBain's Dictionary---

dealan-dé
butterfly, Irish dalán-dé, dealán-dé. The Gaelic also means the phenomenon observed by shirling a stick lighted at the end. Apparently the meaning is "God's fire".

The significance of the butterfly in Irish folklore attributes it as the soul and thus it has the ability to cross into the Otherworld. It is also a symbol of transformation and creation

In the Irish folk tradition the butterfly is the spirit of a departed person who returns to visit their favorite place; in the 1814 Parochial survey of Ireland an old Granny was heard to say to a youngster chasing and attempting to catch a butterfly "How do you know it is not the soul of your grandfather” It is a common belief that the souls of the dead return as all manner of animals, and insects. Even up to the 1600’s it was against common law in Ireland to kill a white butterfly because they were believed to contain the souls of dead children.

Other aspects of Gaelic belief in combination with observations of the butterfly as a human soul are its symbolism as the power of transformation, inspiration and creativity, and eventual rebirth. It is thus used in an iconic manner in rituals surrounding conception, labor, birth and nurturing children.

For Christians, the butterfly's three steps of metamorphosis -- as caterpillar, pupa and then winged insect -- are reminiscent of spiritual transformation".

In images of the Garden of Eden, Adam's soul is symbolized by a butterfly, or drawn with butterfly wings. In paintings of Mary and her Child, the presence of butterflies stands for their care for human souls. The Gnostics depicted the Angel of Death by showing a winged foot stepping on a butterfly.

When the butterflies return this spring, I hope this Irish folklore lesson will shed a new light on the those beautiful, flying jewels in our gardens....or should I say, great-great grandmother Colleen!



(This information was found on the blogspot of DavidJohn Drew and Baylor University.)