Since early times, the butterfly has symbolized renewed life. The caterpillar signifies life here on earth; the cocoon, death, and the butterfly, the emergence of the dead into a new, beautiful and freer existence.

Frequently, the butterfly is seen with the word "Nika", which means victory. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross movingly tells of seeing butterflies drawn all over the walls of the children's dormitories in the World War II concentration camps.

Since Elisabeth believes in the innate intuitiveness of children, she concludes that these children knew their fate and were leaving us a message.

Many members of the Compassionate Friends embrace the butterfly as a symbol and a sign of hope to them that their children are living in another dimension with greater beauty and freedom which is a comforting thought to many.