Butterfly wings were once thought to be the wings of fairies since fairies are winged creatures. They are considered guardians of nature and in some legends transformed into human souls. Like butterflies, fairies with butterfly wings are often depicted as decreased soul of a loved one that lives in spiritual realm.

In many art paintings, fairies have been portrayed with butterfly wings as French artists have drawn them. Legend has it, butterflies transformed into fairy spirits because of their similar wings.