Parpar/ פַּרְפַּר : (Butterfly in Hebrew)
BUTTERFLY SPIRIT
A Butterfly, a beautiful, delicate form that emerges from a furry little caterpillar, has long been a symbol of many things to people around the world: beauty, harmony, and peace. When we talk about transformation, the image that comes to mind for most of us is the butterfly. Because of its astounding transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to its incredible color spangled elegance, it can be the symbol for a woman’s own unfolding. The process by which a butterfly reaches its ultimate beauty does not go without tremendous metamorphosis. We tend to forget what the butterfly has gone through, how it has struggled to reach its place on the breeze and how it was affected in the process.
Generally, when we embrace transformation, we have a vision of ourselves as strong confident and empowered to be the best we can be. However, the transformation from constraint to freedom of spirit, body and soul for a woman in an abusive relationship may be daunting. A woman’s transformation begins with desiring something better for herself. She may or may not know what it is that she wants, just that she has a longing for something more. A woman’s path of transformation can be likened to that of the butterfly's. Before she begins to transform, she feels ambivalence; still in the old form, however getting ready to build a cocoon. She is in the process of change. She may not see the change, but there are parts of her that are being released, transformed and altered. At this point, her life will sometimes become very uncomfortable for her. When its transformation is complete, the butterfly emerges from its cocoon. Fighting its way out of the old form, through a tough silk shell, moving on, into a new world, just as she must struggle to move through barriers and outmoded attitudes. Behaviors that served her when she was as a caterpillar are no longer helpful. She can't live the way she used to. She is transcending the old patterns. But since they were familiar, and successful in their old form, she resists discarding them.
She eventually has to release beliefs that are no longer in her best interest. No longer could she play a role that she has outgrown. Old relationship patterns come to an end. It is very painful to let go, and very scary to change the role. Her whole life has changed.
As she emerges from her cocoon, she takes time to adjust to her new circumstances. Things are different, and she has to learn how to accept and handle her new self. She acts in new ways. People respond to her in a manner in which she’s not used to.
Eventually, the effect of the butterfly's journey allows it to climb free and rest. Spreading its wings for the first time, energy flows through them and they expand, finally ready to carry the butterfly on the breeze. Eventually a woman feels confident with her new self, and like the butterfly, flies free, a living jewel fluttering about the skies in the great expanse.
The butterfly has come to symbolize beliefs of hopes and dreams, particularly peace. Thus it is the reason why PARPAR has been founded.
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