"A fun tradition is to make them during Holy Week. You can then hide the butterfly chrysalises, to be revealed on Easter Sunday."
Butterflies and The Resurrection
One of the most ancient and appropriate symbols of Easter is the butterfly. Butterflies are a powerful metaphor of the resurrection: Jesus Christ was buried in a dark tomb for three days, and then emerged, still himself but changed and glorified. The parallel to a butterfly is striking – caterpillars 'bury' themselves within a chrysalis, only to emerge as transformed butterflies.
As Christians, we believe that we too are transformed through the grace of God. One transformation occurs as we follow Jesus and his teachings, living into the kingdom of God. A second transformation will come in the future when we, like Christ, will inherit a glorified and eternal body. Making butterflies for Easter is powerful way to claim and teach these Christian beliefs.
Materials Needed
- Coffee filters
- Washable makers (the colors bleed nicely when touched with water)
- Chenille stems (pipe cleaners)
- Popsicle sticks
- Water and paintbrush
- Toilet paper tube (or cardstock rolled and stapled into tubes)
How To Do It
- Use markers to decorate the coffee filter with lines, spirals, or patches of color.
- When you have finished coloring, dampen the filter slightly with the paintbrush dipped in water and watch the colors change.
- Allow the transformed filter to dry.
- Attach the filter to the popsicle stick by wrapping with the chenille stem as you make antennae.
- Roll the wings inward and fold butterfly into the paper tube.
Easter Surprise at Home
You can make these butterflies on Easter, or during the ensuring Easter season. However, a fun tradition is to make the butterflies during Holy Week. You can then hide the butterfly chrysalises around the house, to be revealed on Easter Sunday.
Matthew Kozlowski manages, edits, and writes for Building Faith. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Danielle and two young daughters. Throughout his career he has been a teacher, camp counselor, school chaplain, camp chaplain, Sunday school teacher, parish priest, and Alpha course coordinator.