I do not know whether I was then a man
dreaming I was a butterfly,
or whether I am now a butterfly
dreaming I am a man.
(*which is really weird, 'cause I'm a woman!)
(*which is really weird, 'cause I'm a woman!)
~Chuang Tzu
(This is a photograph I first saw used in an advertising campaign for Absolut Vodka. It is hard to believe it has not been "photoshopped", but that is what they claimed. I cut it out of magazines every time I saw it, and still occasionally find a page of blue butterflies tucked away in a drawer or a book. Recently, I found it again on the web and wanted to share it with you, in case you have not seen it. I have added the verse below it from Chuang Tzu. Hope you like it as much as I do.)
* My words, not those of Chuang Tzu!
P.S. Sherry from "Q" kindly identified these butterflies as "Blue Morpho". I googled it and they are precisely that colour with shimmer and iridescence. So the colours have not been edited to appear more intense. They are that intense!
Hi Bonnie
ReplyDeleteIt's a butterfly stole...a beautiful one...and I have loved those words of Chuang Tzu since I first read them...
You have made a good pairing...
Happy Days
I LOVE them both! Did you ever see the movie Papillon? For some reason, this shot reminds me of his escape into the jungle. What a gorgeous shot. And the words, so dreamlike. The way the blue type contrasts with the back ground and complement the photo is stunning as well. So great to find and artist blogger whose work is pure joy to see!
ReplyDeleteThird time lucky; your comment box doesn't like me!
ReplyDeleteLovely blue. There's somewhere in the world that the butterflies return to in their thousands. Is it Machu Picchu? I saw a documentary about them; it's an annual phenomenon. I didn't dream it, :^))
Me again. It's Michoacan in Mexico - here's the link -
ReplyDeletehttp://news.opodo.co.uk/NewsDetails/2006-12-13/Mexico_s_butterfly_phenomenon
I remember seeing this photo before.. It's amazing..
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an awesome picture. I can hardly take my eyes off that magical photo. What an appropriate verse you included, too.
ReplyDeleteBonnie
ReplyDeleteI love the photograph and the quote. Thanks for posting this one!
Linda
there, I've calmed down a bit. No, I've never seen the photo before, It is truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture and the words too (yours and Chuang Tzu's).
ReplyDeleteI've never seen butterflies congregate like that. But I guess butterflies are allowed to be friendly if they want.
I recall seeing this photo as well, and it still takes my breath away...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful posting Bonnie...
ReplyDeleteI have too have seen documentaries of "millions" of monarch butterflies returning to the mountains of Central Mexico for the winter.
hi bonnie - two years ago i was out on a walk with my wife and some friends when we came across a tree on the edge of a farm. it was covered with monarchs. at first - it was getting on towards dusk - we thought they were bats but nope sure enough they were monarchs. it was not quite as gobsmackingly beautiful as this image - i mean the blue is so vivid - but it was a moment i hope to always remember.
ReplyDeletethere are times when i believe i see the world through other eyes but most of the time i see it through steven's eyes. this is a beautiful post. steven
Delwyn: Your use of the word "stole" provokes the thought of being wrapped in such beauty . . . but then again I think the tree trunk displays them perfectly.
ReplyDeleteKathleen: I am delighted that you are too! Yes, I did see Papillon many moons ago. This photo does conjur up a tropical setting.
ReplyDeleteAlaine: Yes, you are right. I thought it was in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteAlaine: Thanks for the link and confirmation!
ReplyDeleteTurquoise Diaries: Yes, truly amazing. The colour!!
ReplyDeleteDayne: Glad you like the photo, but who could not, right?
ReplyDeleteSearching Soul: Glad you think the verse goes well with the shot. I've noticed lately that many of the great quotations I cite, always reference the word "man" - hard to avoid.
ReplyDeleteFriko: You see, I make one post that drives you crazy, but I always follow it up with one to calm you down!
ReplyDeleteBarry: You are the only one who has commented (or noticed) my little addendum to the poem. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJayne: Happy you like it!!
ReplyDeleteWanda: Amazing phenomenon isn't it? That these fragile creatures could wing their way, every year, thousands of miles - to congregate at the same spot.
ReplyDeleteSteven: That had to be an amazing site - seeing so many monarchs! Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteLinda: You are so welcome!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing picture, not sure how it relates to Vodka but amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Liss: There is no relationship to vodka. They just used it I think to grab your attention. In that series of ads, they also had another one with vivid red rose petals lining a path. I cut that one out of magazines too and used it in a collage with a buddha. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteAnother superb post !
ReplyDeleteOoooh I snagged that picture somewhere too!! Isn't it just stunning!!! The color is so rich and delicious!! Would it not be wonderful to have them just fluttering about you! And the quote...I love it!! Namaste, Sarah
ReplyDeleteHave not seen this... amazing, can only imagine the glorious feeling of stumbling across this and witnessing it first hand :)
ReplyDeleteIt takes my breath away. It is stunning! Blue is my favorite color and I love butterflies.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem strange that the butterflies aren't photoshopped...but the photo is gorgeous all the same!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love your butterfly tree, Bonnie! I collect butterflies, love them and what they represent...renewal!
ReplyDeleteI have been preparing a post about butterflies myself that I have not published yet. We are all thinking about renewal and rejuvenation with a new season upon us!
Beautiful post!
Are there really butterflies as blue as that Bonnie = beautiful picture and lovely words.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty of blue to behold
ReplyDeleteAnd in delight words be told...
Thank you Dear Bonnie.
Elise: Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSarah: I appreciate your enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteVicky: Yes - and then succeeding in getting the shot!!
ReplyDeleteCat: 2 for 2 - that's great!
ReplyDeleteSherry Lee: It is hard to believe with that vivid blue . . . Who knows?
ReplyDeleteChicGeek: I'll keep an eye out for your post.
ReplyDeleteWeaver: Sometimes nature gives us things that are so vivid, or colourful, or intricate that it is hard to believe they are 'real'!! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteWow. Gorgeous. I remember once walking through the woods in Ohio in the autumn and coming upon a migration of Monarchs there in the trees, clinging to everything! I will never forget it. These are so beautiful. What color! And the quote...Love that, too. Thanks, Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteRose Marie: You are so generous! You keep giving poems to us all in your comments!! So sweet.
ReplyDeleteBarbara: That must just send chills down your spine to see it in person!!
ReplyDeleteThese incredible butterflies look to be Blue Morpho. They are tropical butterflies!
ReplyDeleteThe Monarchs are just starting their migration in my area. It is exciting the way the butterflies find their way!
I love photographing butterflies...I would have loved to have taken this photograph!!
Namaste,
Sherry
Hi Bonnie~ Exquisite image and reflection! I've heard that in the Native American tradition if you dream about an animal, that animal becomes your spirit guide. What could the butterfly be guiding Chuang? That change is all right? That metamorphosis could possibly be only a metaphor ;) ? That a blue buitterfly brings clarity? So beautiful here today.
ReplyDeleteSherry (Q): Thank you for identifying these butterflies for us!! Blue Morpho Butterflies. I googled it and they really are this iridescent, shimmering, intense blue. We just could not believe our eyes - but there it is!!!
ReplyDeleteMargaret: Interesting questions. Thank you for dropping by and commenting.
ReplyDeleteAstoundingly lovely.
ReplyDeletethat is an amazing shot! could you imagine walking through the forest and seeing that tree...wow. the verse is very cool as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous peacock blue color! Oh to walk through the woods and experience seeing this incredible site...a true pleasure indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment today. I have to tell you that is absolutely put me on cloud nine and made my day!
Stunning! More proof that art imitates nature, because there is no human-made thing more lovely than this.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrian: Thank you. I think I would pass out from sheer joy if I ever came across butterflies like that in real life.
ReplyDeleteAlicia: Glad you like it. Happy that my comment (my daughter's actually) pleased you!
ReplyDeleteSallyMandy: So true!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Why thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you had not said that they had not been photoshopped, I would have thought otherwise. nature is the best artist, without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
oh no ... i have never seen these before ... stunningly beautiful ... can you imagine the photographer stumbling to quickly get the image before they took flight? that would be a heart rush, for sure!
ReplyDeletemusing on the quote ...
say! i just visited my friend gugaw.blogspot.com who makes felt flutterbys and she was wondering what colours we would like to see ... i am going right back there and telling her about your image ...
now, if we drink enough of vodka, will we absolutely see butterflies?
love your postings as always,
prairiegirl
Cuban: Well, I think you have summed it all up:
ReplyDelete"Nature is the best artist"!! Thank you.
Prairiegirl: Aha . . . you are the one who figured out the connection between the vodka and the butterflies. Drink enough of one and you are guaranteed to see the other!!! Thank you prairiegirl!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic butterflies! The colour makes me sign and my eyes pop! Very inspired to share this with us all! Thank you!
ReplyDeletesuch beautiful butterflies!
ReplyDelete