Journey North Symbolic Migration

 Symbolic Migration 2006-2007

Over 65,000 paper butterflies were made in the fall of 2006 by children in the United States and Canada, and sent to the children who live beside the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico. All third and fifth grade Ironia School students participated in the Symbolic Migration.  In the last few weeks these Symbolic Monarch ambassadors have begun returning and "migrating" back to classrooms just as the actual monarchs began their journey north back in March.

The butterflies' fall flight is timed to correspond with the real monarchs' journey south. The paper butterflies arrive in Mexico around the time of the Dia de los Muertos (November 2), just as the real monarchs do. According to Mexican legend, these returning butterflies are thought to carry the ancestors' souls and play a role in the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Mexican students from the Monarch sanctuary region greet the butterflies and watch over them during the winter months. At the same time in the mountains nearby, the entire eastern population of North American monarch butterflies rests in Mexico for the winter in remote mountaintop villages like Sierra Chincua and El Rosario.

In March, when the real and symbolic butterflies begin their return flight it's as if the students have traveled with them to Mexico and then back to the U.S. or Canada.  These symbolic monarchs play a giant role in uniting students from three countries; the U.S., Canada and Mexico while creating a global community.  United by a fragile butterfly, the children of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada have the opportunity through this wonderful project to establish a cycle of friendship and stewardship.

To track the 2006 - 2007 Symbolic Monarch Migration and to see if your Symbolic Monarch has been found by a teacher somewhere in the U.S. or Canada check out the

Journey North Symbolic Migration Map.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Symbolic Migration

Teacher Lessons and Activities to use with the Symbolic Migration

Photos, Videos and Slideshows: Life in the Mexican Monarch Butterfly Region

Photos of Ironia School's Symbolic Monarchs

Photos of Symbolic Monarchs received in the Spring from the U.S. and Canada 

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