How the Amy Winehouse Foundation logo was created is an interesting story. In his book “Amy My Daughter” Mitch Winehouse tells his story about his experience with a bird and a butterfly.
After praying to his mum Cynthia for a sign from Amy, a butterfly and a bird came to Mitch and his wife Jane while on holiday in Jamaica.
The following is an excerpt from Mitch’s recently released book “Amy My Daughter.” You can find the excerpt below in the Epilogue on page 289 of “Amy My Daughter.”
“Amy My Daughter” written by Mitch Winehouse
The next strange thing happened at my sister Melody’s house a few nights later. A very small blackbird, which isn’t a common sight at night, flew into the house and landed on Jane’s foot. It was so tame and quite happy sitting there.
We took it out into the garden and gently threw it into the air, where it circled and came back. We threw it into the air again and again, but each time it circled and landed next to us. Eventually we gave it some milk and bread and it spent the rest of the evening with us.
The incidents took place in Jamaica. About three months prior to Amy’s passing, Jane and I had arranged to go to the wedding of the son of a friend. We were due to leave on 6 August. As the day approached I didn’t want to go: the image of Amy in the mortuary wouldn’t leave me. Jane pointed out that it might do us good to get away – it might help me to shake myself free of that picture.
In the end I agreed with her. When we arrived at our hotel, I couldn’t be bothered to unpack and went out on to the balcony, where I was greeted by a bird and a butterfly, pirouetting around each other, as if they had been waiting for me.
Early each morning, Jane and I went for a quiet walk on the mostly deserted beach. Every day we’d walk, talk and cry. And every day we were followed by a butterfly. We stopped, the butterfly stopped, we walked on and the butterfly continued following us. We tested it and started to walk back the way we had come and the butterfly came with us. We sat down on a sun bed and the butterfly joined us. It was really quite amazing.
I had been praying to my mum for Amy to give us a sign, just give me something, and I really felt that those prayers were being answered.
I asked myself, when do you ever see a butterfly come into a hall full of people? When do you ever see a blackbird hop into a room full of people and keep coming back? When do you ever see a bird and a butterfly dancing together? When do you see a butterfly keeping pace with you while you’re walking and stopping when you stop?
I decided that I was going to name the company that would handle the Foundation business “Bird and Butterfly” and that a bird and butterfly would form the logo for Amy’s Foundation.
Here are the meanings of a Black butterfly courtesy of Buzzle
Metamorphosis: In many cultures, it is believed that black butterflies are the symbol of transition, renewal or rebirth. It is also believed that black butterflies could be a symbol of rebirth of something or people. They are also symbolized for longevity and shift in the power. In short, black butterflies are supposed to be the sign of positive change in the present situation.
Death Warning: In various parts of the world including Central America, Philippines, China, black butterflies are considered as a symbol of death. Hence, according to these people, a black butterfly or moth in the house is the warning of death of a member of the house. They also appear in the house when someone in the house has already died.
Dead Souls: According to the fascinating (and a bit scary) lores of the land of the Celts or Ireland, black butterflies are nothing but souls of the deceased people. According to Irish people, when deceased people fail to discover their Afterlife, they turn into a black butterfly. Hence, these butterflies can enter the house or properties where they once belonged as a living soul.
Witch Camouflage: The infamous witches are also associated while explaining the meaning of a black butterfly. According to the folklores, witches transform themselves into black butterflies so that nobody can recognizes them while stealing various foods that they need to eat! This is especially evident with reference to black butterflies or moths that appear in or around the houses at night.
Fire Goddess: According to Aztec mythology, Obsidian Butterfly or Itzpapalotl was the warrior goddess of fire and infant mortality. In historic documents, Itzpapalotl is associated with moths, deer and black butterfly. She is described as the star demon who devours people during solar eclipse. According to iconography, she camouflages in the forms of various creatures and insects so as to stay unrecognizable.
Positive Symbolism: No matter whether you believe in the black butterfly symbolism or don’t; you can still take out a few positive meanings from the aforementioned butterfly symbolism. At least that is what most of the people do while getting butterfly tattoos. You see, in most of the stories, black butterfly is associated with change, transition, freedom and rebirth. It is symbolized as death – assume it as the death of all the bad things and misfortunes!
How the Amy Winehouse Foundation logo was created is an interesting story told by Amy’s dad Mitch. Mitch and Janis Winehouse have gone forward in their grief to establish a charity in their daughter’s name.
The Amy Winehouse Foundation has been set up in Amy’s memory to support charitable activities in both the UK and abroad that provide help, support or care for young people, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction.
All author proceeds from “Amy My Daughter” go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
