Mariposa/Butterfly what does this word signify?

Question

Does anyone happen to know the significance of the word butterfly - mariposa - in Spanish?

I think it represents 3 things - the body, the soul and something else which I did not understand during the conversation.

I have bought a Christening present of a pair of earrings with butterflys on them and was told this was a good choice because of these 3 things.

It would be good to know before the event tomorow!

Thanks.

Answer 1

Perhaps this is better Butterfly Christian Symbol

 

The Definition and Meaning of the Butterfly as a Catholic Christian Symbol Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which represents people or items of religious significance. What is the definition and the meaning of the Butterfly? The Butterfly Christian Symbol represents and symbolizes the Resurrection. The butterfly has three phases during its life:

 

1. The caterpillar - The caterpillar which just eats symbolises normal earthly life where people are preoccupied with taking care of their physical needs.

 

2. The chrysalis or cocoon - The chrysalis or cocoon resembles the tomb.

 

3. The butterfly - The butterfly represents the resurrection into a glorious new life free of material restrictions.

That´s a really lovely explanation pesta - I´m almost in tears. - caza, Sep 3, 2010

Answer 2

According to wiktionary, it's from the phrase María pósate, “Mary, alight!”

Also see Behind the Name

:

The most accepted etymology comes from Joan Coromines, in his Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e hispánico: "mariposa" comes from the expression "Mari, posa(te)" (Mary, alight!), present in children's songs and games. In Sardinian and dialectal French, there are several similar words ("maria vola") to say "butterfly".

 

Vicente García de Diego (just as Sebastián de Covarrubias in Tesoro de la lengua castellana o española, 1611) thinks that "mariposa" comes from the Latin "male pausat" (bad alighted); and for the Sardinian form, he thinks that it comes from the Latin "mane et pausat".

 

RAE (Real Academia Española de la Lengua), in its dictionary (DRAE), offers Coromines's theory.

 

The use of personal names for animals is not unusual in Romance languages: mariquita (ladybird in Spanish) and marieta (ladybird in Catalan) come from nicknames of Maria, guilla (fox in Catalan) comes from a nickname of Wilhelmina, renard (fox in French) comes from Reginhard, etc., etc.

No I think we´re on the wrong trail there - that´s a bit detrimental - this conversation (at the jewelers shop) was very poitive. Thanks for the effort. - caza, Sep 3, 2010

PS Í´m talking about the reference in slang to prostitute - caza, Sep 3, 2010

Sorry, I didn't intend to offend anyone -- it was all I could find :-( - pesta, Sep 3, 2010

No offence of course - none intended I´m sure and none taken. - caza, Sep 3, 2010

The surname is actually Corominas, not Coromines. - lazarus1907, Sep 3, 2010

Answer 3

The most accepted etymology comes from Joan Coromines, in his Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e hispánico

That Wiktionary is not very reliable. The surname of this guy is Corominas, not Coromines, as they right over and over again. And I don't care what they say, because I have two Coromina's books on my shelf, next to my face right now, and I've been reading this guy for over 20 years.

Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e hispánico

I can't believe there are entire Wikipedia entries calling him Coromines, while his main entry is Corominas. The same mistakes in several languages!!!!!

If you excuse me, I'm going to change those disgraceful Wikipedia entries right now.

right = write in this case. We´ve veered off course from my original question but I can see that you´ve got a bee in your bonnet about Corominas - quite rightly too - but the poster can only copy what she has seen. - caza, Sep 4, 2010

Answer 4

Hi, Caza...

I did a search on google.com.mx.

I think you got the two main points - body and soul. I believe the third point may have either been eternal life or the use of a butterfly as a representation of the change that occurs when the soul separates from the body.

I didn't do much more than glance at the articles that came up, but that seems to be the gist of it. Perhaps you could type in a search on google.com.mx. and spend some time. My key words were" Catolicismo maropisa cuerpo alma"

Thanks for the link and also another interesting interpretation. - caza, Sep 4, 2010

Answer 5

Could the third one be 'la libertad' it would make a nice match with body, soul, freedom.

That makes good sense and I like it - a definite posibility. Thanks. - caza, Sep 3, 2010

Answer 6

it refers to the way the creature moves