Peacock & Butterflies — Symbols of Royalty and Transformation

By Sheri Frances

When I began painting my self-portrait, I wanted every element to have meaning, not just to capture how I see myself, but how God sees me. The details of the peacock and the butterflies were not random. They were divinely inspired.

In Scripture, peacocks were rare and precious, often associated with royalty, beauty, and divine provision. Their vibrant feathers reflected the majesty and abundance of God’s kingdom. When Solomon built the temple, he filled it with gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, symbols of splendor and divine order.

(1 Kings 10:22)

The peacock in my painting represents royalty and identity, a reminder that we are daughters and sons of the King, clothed in beauty and grace. The peacock’s tail, radiant and eye-covered, also speaks of divine watchfulness, that we are seen, known, and adorned with purpose.

The butterfly, in contrast, tells a quieter, more personal story, the story of transformation. A butterfly carries the DNA of its future from the very beginning. Hidden inside the caterpillar is everything it needs to become something new.

In the same way, God has already placed within us the divine code for our purpose, the potential for beauty and renewal is written into who we are. Transformation takes time. It’s a process of surrender, just as the caterpillar must give up what it was to become what it was created to be.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here.”— 2 Corinthians 5:17

As I painted the butterflies across the bodice of my portrait, I imagined the heart being transformed — soft, open, and renewed by the Spirit. The butterfly wings became a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s movement — lifting us, renewing us, and teaching us how to soar.

Both the peacock and the butterfly remind me that identity and transformation work together. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you the courage to become who He designed you to be.

Royalty without transformation leads to pride; transformation without identity leads to confusion. But together, they reflect the full beauty of divine purpose — glory and growth, majesty and metamorphosis.

✨ Reflection

Take a few minutes this week to sit with God and ask: “Lord, what part of me are You transforming right now? And how do You see me through Your eyes of royalty and love?”

💜 Closing Encouragement

Everything you need to become who God designed you to be is already inside you. You are a new creation — royal, radiant, and continually being transformed by His Spirit.

💫 If this reflection spoke to your heart, feel free to share it or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how God is transforming your story too.