Of course, the symbol was easy: use the butterfly to highlight the beauty of inner transformation. However, the butterfly was in competition with many other animals for the choice of logo: squirrel, eagle, chamois, … When we took a closer look at this little fluttering phenomenon, we discovered some incredible facts and metaphors!
The classic!
Of course, the butterfly symbolizes change. But do you know how profound this change is?
Inside the chrysalis, a fascinating mutation takes place. Apart from some of the caterpillar’s muscle cells, all others are destroyed. It is from this “liquid broth” that the butterfly will emerge, created from stem cells that already existed in the egg.
This example, common in nature, of profound transformation shows us how important it is to let go, to go through a stage in which not much is “solid” anymore, to trust the process and, above all, to nourish the “stem cells”!
These stem cells are like the faint signals of a positive emerging future, which the Hub des possibles intends to highlight in its podcast and some of its workshops.
The famous one!
We’re all familiar with the famous Butterfly Effect: almost innocuous variations, like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings, can gradually generate enormous changes. This effect echoes the uncertainty and complexity of today’s world. It reminds us of the unpredictable nature of the effect of our actions. What if our choices, our contributions, our individual and collective initiatives inevitably produced a change in consciousness, a virtuous circle for life on earth? Whenever we’re tempted to say to ourselves “there’s no point in my doing something different, others are doing much worse”, let’s imagine our action as the little breath of air moved by the butterfly and visualize how it can influence a possible future J
The impressive one!
The butterfly can migrate from Europe to Africa in a single generation. This little creature with a 5 cm wingspan will cross the Mediterranean Sea and fly over the Sahara and mountains for more than 4,000 km! What an inspiration. It reminds us of certain key attitudes, set out in the international framework of the Inner Development Goals: humility, perseverance and courage. We could also add “humor”, as this little butterfly proves that appearances can be deceiving!
The unexpected!
Have you ever watched the flight of a butterfly filmed in slow motion?
Today’s scientific techniques give us a spectacular view of the flight of certain butterflies, such as the splendid blue morpho butterfly of tropical forests. We discover its body swaying majestically as it swings its wings with hypnotic elegance (see video below). This alternative way of flying is beginning to inspire the drones of the future. The biomimicry enabled by the butterfly doesn’t stop there: a number of technological innovations are emerging, such as new photovoltaic techniques. The Pierrid cabbage butterfly seems to be an expert at capturing the sun’s energy with its open V-shaped wings. In fact, we’re looking at beings that have been evolving on Earth for millions of years, and that can teach us a great deal if we change our way of looking at things. In this respect, butterflies represent two of the Hub’s values: “a living system to stay agile” and professionalism.
The poet!
We can also let go of the scientific vision of the butterfly and simply admire it, as it flies from flower to flower, its wings shimmering against the blue sky, tirelessly foraging and pollinating. It weaves an invisible network within the plant world, contributing to nature’s great interconnection with other insects. And what about the much more numerous moths, which orient themselves in the half-light by the light of the moon?
It’s a perfect metaphor for the 3rd value of the Hub of possibilities: the link to oneself, to others and to living things.
What about the 4th value? Let’s go outside and admire a butterfly as it flies by, let’s breathe, and we’ll naturally feel it: it’s joy.
What about you? How do you activate your butterfly?
Annick Wagner
Useful links :
Biomimetics
https://www.letemps.ch/sciences/posture-dun-papillon-vol
https://www.futura-sciences.com/planete/actualites/papillon-energie-solaire-sera-t-elle-plus-efficace-grace-papillon-59249/https://www.bioxegy.com/post/papillon-morpho-et-biomimétisme
The chrysalis
https://www.oiseaupapillonjardin.fr/2021/09/le-mystere-de-la-chrysalide.html
The butterfly effect
https://www.bbc.com/afrique/monde-59548552
The belle-dame butterfly
