Orange is a vivid colour made through a combination of red and yellow. Red can often be portrayed as a passionate colour, and yellow denotes positivity, so it’s no wonder that orange is seen as a positive and powerful symbol. But, what do orange butterflies mean?
Orange butterflies represent the balance of your inner self. Often seen as your guardian angel that has appeared only to lend you motivation to keep going or to make changes.
To see an orange butterfly for some is considered to be a message of warmth. Picture a beautiful orange sunset to get the right context of this warm glow.
Others believe it is a reminder from your guardian angel to restore your inner being so that you stay on the right path. Therefore, it could be seen as making you look inwardly at your current lifestyle. It is a reminder to make sure you are looking after yourself.
Seeing an orange butterfly is considered a cue for you to consider your mental health, and ensure you have balance in your life.
Accept any failures, past or present, pick yourself up and dust yourself down to move on. Resolve any outstanding problems that you have, by confronting them head-on. Your orange butterfly is telling you not to put them off, nor to run away from them.
The butterfly is warning you that you must find balance in your life and NOT allow dark thoughts to block your view.
It could be that your life is already good. Your orange butterfly is making sure that you think about that, and then go on to appreciate it healthily. Being aware of all that is good in your life.
But if you’re in a dark place when you see an orange butterfly, it’s serving to help lead you into the light, to a better place. It reminds you that you must seek to find things that give you warmth and love.
Look at your life in an honest way because only you can make the changes that are needed.
For instance, if you’re a workaholic, maybe you should look at your work ethic and take time out for your own well-being. Spend time with your loved ones so that when you return to work, you will be a more balanced and happier person.
Some believe this little orange creature is a symbol of your soul. So, it may represent changes in your life, but only if they are needed to make you a happier person. Or it might represent taking a break from your busy life to balance your inner soul with some much-needed love.
A great deal depends on what is going on in your life already. Be more proactive if your life has taken a downturn, or take some time out if your inner soul needs it. Eat comfort foods for a day. Go to a party and enjoy the company of others.
We are all of us allowed a few vices now and then, but the main message is to find a good balance of your inner self.
Which Butterfly Species are Orange?
A number of orange species exist, but what are some of the most popular orange butterflies?
Monarch
One of the most iconic orange butterflies is the magnificent Monarch. (Danaus plexippus). Their brilliant orange wings are offset with black veins and white spots. The Monarch caterpillar consumes milkweed.
This gives the adult butterfly toxins that are poisonous to some predators. The bright orange serves as a warning to those toxins, telling predators that they are not tasty to eat. The majority of Monarchs reside in North America and make a long migration to Mexico to stay in the warmth.
They have a truly amazing biological clock that enables them to follow the same path of migration. A magnetic compass in their antennae helps them to follow the earth’s magnetic field, keeping them on track.
Viceory
You can be forgiven if you confuse the bright orange Monarch with its very similar cousin, the Viceory (Limenitis Archippus).
This little creature has hairy feet that are aptly named brush-footed, meaning it has hairs on its forelegs. One way to tell if it’s a Viceroy is that it will have a black line towards the edge of its wing, before the dark banding.
Whereas the orange on a Monarch goes right up to the dark band on the edges. The Viceroy is not toxic either.
That’s because there’s nothing in its diet to make it that way, but predators don’t know that so they’re more likely to leave it alone, thanks to the Monarch.
Painted Lady
Most orange-coloured butterflies stand out vividly, and none more so than the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).
It has a brown body, as opposed to the black of a Monarch. If you can see it close enough, it will also have tiny white tips on its antennae, which is another distinguishing feature.
This is a species that has spread and colonised throughout the world. Though originally it migrated from Northern Africa and the Middle East regions.
Coma
There is one more orange (and brown) butterfly worth mentioning. That’s because it’s managed to come back from severe decline.
The Coma (Ploygonia c-album) is a splendid specimen. It’s not often that butterflies will do so well in a colder region, but are they said to have increased by 138% in Scotland, known for its cooler climes.
This species was once associated with hop plants, nicknamed the Hop Cat, so that may have been part of its decline. They have made a transition over to the nettle plant, which grows in abundance. Such a move has contributed towards its increase in numbers.
This type of behaviour is proof that if a species can diversify, then it has a chance of survival in our ever-changing world.
Summary
If you see an orange butterfly then it could mean a few different things… Most commonly it represents the balance of one’s life.
