As graduation season approaches, every detail of a senior’s attire tells a story. From the colors of the ribbon to the year on their cap, these elements celebrate a massive milestone. One of our favorite accents to add to our handcrafted graduation leis—like our popular 2026 Black & Gold Lei—is the butterfly.   

But why a butterfly? It’s more than just a beautiful embellishment, It carries a deep symbolic meaning that perfectly captures the spirit of graduation.

The Significance of the Butterfly

1. The Ultimate Symbol of Transformation

The journey from freshman year to graduation is a lot like a caterpillar’s time in a cocoon. It’s a period of growth, hard work, and preparation. When a student finally walks across that stage, they are "emerging"—ready to take flight into the next chapter of their lives. Adding a butterfly to a lei honors that personal evolution.

2. Hope and New Beginnings

In many cultures, butterflies represent hope and the start of a new journey. For a graduate heading off to college, starting a career, or traveling the world, the butterfly serves as a symbol of good luck. It’s a reminder that they have the wings to go wherever they dream.

3. Beauty in the Journey

Graduation is a fleeting, beautiful moment. The delicate nature of a butterfly reminds us to pause and appreciate the achievement. While fresh flowers eventually fade, our handcrafted ribbon leis and cardstock accents are designed to be keepsakes that last a lifetime.

New: DIY Your Own Meaningful Keepsake!

We’ve had so many requests for our custom accents that we are thrilled to announce you can now purchase our individual butterfly cutouts separately!

Whether you are building your own DIY ribbon lei from scratch or adding some flair to a homecoming mum, these sparkling cutouts make it easy to add a professional, symbolic touch to your projects.

Elevate Your Graduation Cap

Adding a butterfly to your graduation cap is one of the easiest ways to stand out in a sea of mortarboards. It adds a beautiful 3D effect that looks incredible in those overhead "walking across the stage" photos!

The Best Ways to Secure Your Butterfly Cutouts:

• For a Permanent Hold (Hot Glue): If you’ve added a custom "topper" to your cap, a small dab of low-temp hot glue on the body of the butterfly is the most secure method. Pro-tip: Bend the wings up slightly before gluing the center down to give it a realistic "just landed" look!
• For a Damage-Free Option (Glue Dots): If you need to return your gown or want to keep the cap fabric pristine, Glue Dots or heavy-duty double-sided scrapbooking tape are your best friends. They provide a strong hold but can be peeled off carefully after the ceremony.
• The "Floating" Look (Thin Wire): For the truly creative, attach the butterfly to a small piece of thin floral wire and secure it near the center button. This makes the butterfly look like it’s hovering just above your cap as you walk!

Ready to start your DIY project?

Our butterfly cutouts are available in a variety of colors to match your school spirit. [Click here to shop our Spirit Cutouts & Accessories] and pick out the perfect accents for your Class of 2026 graduate!

Whether you're in the DFW area or ordering from across the country, we can't wait to see how you use these to celebrate your senior’s big day.