Metamorphosis, Spirits of the Dead, a Precursor of Death: The Symbolism of the Butterfly in Houseki no Kuni

The visuals of Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous) have always struck me to the core, whether with the almost palpable feeling of isolation among the gems, the marked emptiness of the land (empty of human-like lifeforms, but not necessarily empty of natural flora or fauna), or the alien-like coldness of the statuesque Lunarians. But, the image that stuck with me most in this anime was the visual of Phos standing at the edge of a cliff being progressively covered in yellow butterflies while waiting for a sunspot and struggling with life-changing doubts.

Why this scene over all others in this beautiful series? I just found it so perfectly representative of everything Phos has experienced throughout the anime, especially when you think about the butterfly within the context of Japanese symbology and mythology.

Rebirth, metamorphosis

Unsurprisingly, butterflies represent rebirth and metamorphosis, qualities reflective of the insect’s lifecycle from earthbound caterpillar to a free flying butterfly.

Similarly, Phos’ emotional transformation throughout the series from a naive, spoiled child to a more mature, responsible individual was so stark and poignant, that I found the butterfly scene so heartbreaking and satisfying. It’s a beautiful visualization and reminder of just how much Phos has changed and, especially when put in conjunction with the next meaning (the spirits of the dead, an incarnation of the soul, the immortal soul), drives home exactly what has caused this change.

And then, there’s Phos’ physical transformation… Merged with gold and platinum alloy, and equipped with legs laced with agate, I am left wondering if all the pain and loss (of memories as well as limbs) was worth it for a higher level of fighting prowess and a maturing of the self.

The tradeoff is remarkable, not only because of how much Phos has changed physically and emotionally, but because of how opposite it seems from the motif of the butterfly, which starts off bound to the earth but eventually finding beauty and freedom with its new wings. In contrast, Phos has become a more jaded and dour individual, with doubts and fears that have yet to be fully confronted.

It remains to be seen whether Phos will be able to find some measure of freedom from an increased knowledge of the world and its workings, or if this knowledge will only further burden and hurt them….

The spirits of the dead, an incarnation of the soul, the immortal soul

One fascinating aspect of the gems is how their bodies can be rebuilt innumerable times, allowing them to return again and again no matter how much damage they sustain or how many tiny pieces they shatter into. To a certain degree, their bodies can be altered to compensate for lost fragments (such as in the case of Phos’ “haircut”), and in rare instances, merged with other similar gems or materials to replace an entire body part.

In a way, the gems have “immortal souls” that are forever embedded in their very bodies. No one is truly lost forever, as long as their fragments can be found and put back together again. Even those lost to the Lunarians are regarded with hope, with numerous gems expressing a longing that their partners and friends might be returned to them through the weapons the Lunarians wield.

In Japanese symbology, butterflies are thought to carry the spirit of the dead and often represent a recently departed soul. A butterfly that enters your home in the 49 days after a death may be the spirit of the dead visiting you. The soul is immortal and, even without a body, will endure forever.

As Phos becomes increasingly covered in butterflies while struggling with doubts about Kongo Sensei, I cannot help but be reminded of all the gems lost to the Lunarians. To me, the butterflies represent the decisions and will of the gems to follow Sensei no matter what the truth may be. It’s as if their final wishes and beliefs are bearing down on Phos, depicting the palpable weight of the other gems and their silent and complicit acceptance of the status quo.

And at first, Phos allows the butterflies to overwhelm their body, but ultimately becomes free of them as they get closer to a final decision….

A precursor of death, a signal of an impending visitation

There’s a lot of waiting in this anime: waiting for a new and better job, waiting for the return or awakening of a dear friend, waiting for the seasons to change… And, for Phos in the final episodes of Houseki no Kuni, waiting for sunspots and the Lunarians so that they might assuage their doubts.

The butterfly is often associated with an impending visitation. If a butterfly flies into your home, it might indicate that someone you know will be coming to visit you soon. But, a butterfly found on a Buddhist altar (or, in a room with a Buddhist altar) is seen as a precursor to death. There are also legends about butterflies in Kochi Prefecture (among others) causing sickness and death, and swarming and suffocating individuals walking in the evening.

This feeling of weight and suffocation from Japanese legend is certainly present in the butterfly scene of Houseki no Kuni. In connection to the butterfly as representative of the spirits of the dead, I thought the swarming of Phos suggested that should they accept the status quo and not seek out the truth, death may inevitably arrive.

But, the butterflies are shaken off with the arrival of Rutile in episode 11, and Padparadscha and the Lunarians in episode 12, as Phos edges closer to a final decision about what they should do about the dilemma surrounding Kongo Sensei.

What lies within Phos’ future? Death and loss? Or, an impending visit from someone, whether friend or foe?