A Symbol of Love, Loss, and Remembrance
Butterflies have long been seen as symbols of hope, transformation, and the soul. Their delicate beauty, short lives, and graceful flight have touched many cultures, offering comfort in times of grief. But in neonatal and maternity care, one butterfly – coloured purple – carries a particularly special meaning. It represents the loss of a twin, triplet, or multiple.
The Story Behind the Purple Butterfly Initiative
The Purple Butterfly Initiative was founded by Millie Cann, after she experienced the heartbreak of losing her twin daughter, Skye, shortly after birth in 2016.
While her surviving twin remained in neonatal care, Millie found herself repeatedly having to explain their loss to visitors and staff. Wanting to spare other families this pain, she created a gentle, non-verbal symbol: a small purple butterfly placed near the baby’s cot or incubator to honour the twin who could not stay.
The initiative has grown to support families during and after the loss of multiples, providing not only cot cards but also posters displayed across maternity and neonatal units to explain the symbol’s meaning. In addition, the charity offers care packs and memorial items to both families and hospitals.
Why Purple?
The colour purple was carefully chosen for its deep meaning.
Purple has long been associated with remembrance, spirituality, and dignity. It carries a sense of honour, love, and quiet strength, offering a visible yet tender tribute to the memory of a lost sibling.
It is soft enough not to overwhelm, yet distinctive enough to gently invite understanding from those around.
Butterflies: A Universal Symbol of the Soul
Across cultures and traditions, butterflies have symbolised transformation, rebirth, and the continuation of the soul beyond life.
Their brief but beautiful lives offer a poignant reminder that even the shortest moments can leave an everlasting mark.
In baby loss communities, the butterfly has become a cherished symbol that says: your life mattered, and you are never forgotten.
Offering Families Understanding Without Words
The purple butterfly cot card and poster are powerful because they allow families to share their story without painful explanations.
It creates an environment where compassion, sensitivity, and silent understanding can flourish.
Staff, visitors, and other parents are gently made aware that the family is carrying both joy and grief, honouring both the baby who is here, and the sibling who is not.
Carrying the Memory Forward
Today, purple butterflies are a symbol of remembrance found on memory boxes, keepsakes, and special days of reflection.
They offer a lasting way to say:
“You were here. You are loved. You are remembered.”
Thanks to Millie Cann’s vision, The Skye High Foundation Initiative that continues to bring comfort, visibility, and connection to families navigating the complex emotions of twin and multiple loss.
Final Thoughts
The purple butterfly is more than a symbol; it’s a soft but powerful message of love, memory, and hope.
In a world where grief often feels invisible, it reminds us that every life, no matter how brief, leaves a permanent imprint, and that their story deserves to be honoured, always.
Our Purple Butterfly memory books, created with Millie and The Skye High Foundation, have been specially created to help families gently talk about the loss of a twin, offering comfort, understanding, and a way to keep their shared story alive. Providing a gentle way to honour the twin who has passed, and to help the surviving twin feel forever connected.
The purple butterfly reminds us that while a twin may no longer be held in our arms, they are forever carried in our hearts. To learn more about the Purple Butterfly initiative, please visit Skye High Foundation.
If you would like gentle storybooks to support surviving siblings in remembering and celebrating their twin, you can explore our Purple Butterfly memory books – CLICK HERE
