Butterflies, other than being considered symbols of beauty and love, are also associated with flowers. Many people believe that butterflies symbolize the fragility of life. The transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is a classic metaphor of transformation from being earth bound to a more aerial entity. According to the beliefs of ancient Greeks, every time a butterfly broke out of its cocoon, a human soul emerged. In Mexico, butterflies were considered to be the patron symbols for several Goddesses. While they were considered to be the spirits of the dead in some cases, they were also considered to be a symbol of childbirth. Many cultures look at butterflies as symbols of regeneration and prosperity. There are people, who also believe that seeing a butterfly in your dream can signify a subconscious need to settle down.
On the flip side though, butterflies are ephemeral creatures, which signify impermanence in life. The fact that it transforms so many times, is for most people, a sign of its unstable nature, and also the more trivial qualities that we attribute with humans. If you are planning to get a butterfly tattoo, it is always important to be aware of the meaning of the design.