Monarch butterflies have a beautiful connection to healing and protection. They only lay their eggs on asclepia plants (milkweed), and asclepia is named after Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine. The symbol for modern medicine of the snake wound around a staff traces all the way back to Asclepius. This historical connection makes monarch butterflies feel like little sentinels of healing.

A single monarch butterfly, with exquisitely detailed painted paper wings.

This is a handmade item. The wings are made with crepe paper, and wired for shape and longevity. The body is sculpted and painted to seem fuzzy, as a live monarch appears. Tiny eyes and detailed antenna complete this lifelike butterfly.

It is displayed on a wood frame painted in a shade of blue that suggests how it flies through the bright late summer sky, looking for summer flowers to feed on and pollinate. The edges of the frame are painted with a lustrous gold wax, and it hangs simply on the wall with a brass triangle hanger. Each piece comes signed with a gold wax seal on the reverse, embossed with the Golden Age logo.

dimensions: 6.5” wide

This piece is archival, but is recommended to be displayed away from direct sunlight to keep the colours from fading.

In honour of the monarch’s connection to healing, protection and reciprocity, 10% of sales from this piece will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation: protecting nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future, by acting every day on the understanding that we are one with nature.