The Mariposa Pendant is more than just a piece of jewelry—it’s a reflection of my story and the generations that came before me. As part of our Heritage Collection, this rugged coin-style pendant featuring a monarch butterfly holds deep personal significance for me. It’s inspired by my Mexican roots and the powerful symbolism of the monarch, a creature that embodies resilience, transformation, and migration—things that resonate strongly with my own family's journey.
The word *mariposa* means butterfly in Spanish, and the monarch butterfly, in particular, has a special place in my heart. My mother was born in Mexico, next to the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, a place my mom taught me about as her homeland. It’s where, every autumn the monarch butterflies migrate every year, arriving in dense, breathtaking numbers. These butterflies blanket the trees in such a way that they seem to transform the landscape. I remember originally learning about these butterflies traveling thousands of miles to return, no matter the challenges they face along the way. How amazing.
For me, the monarch represents the spirit of migration, the strength to move forward, and the hope of continuing life’s journey for future generations. In many ways, it mirrors the struggles and triumphs my own family has faced, especially as we’ve more recently navigated our place between Mexico and the U.S. The path hasn't always been easy, but like the monarch, we’ve always pressed forward.
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to travel with my mom to Mexico as she explored the country she was born in, her first time ever visiting. It was a journey that brought me back to my roots in ways I didn’t expect. I even met my abuelo for the first time! From learning about my verified historical direct ancestor Malintzin (via her second child, María, I should clarify) and seeing the actual land that she traversed, the connection to my ancestry felt profound and yet complicated, and I left with many questions as well as amazement but overall, a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices my family made so that I could be where I am today.
The Mariposa Pendant is a tribute to this experience and the legacy of migration and endurance. It’s not just about the beauty of the butterfly, but about the story of movement, of change, and of honoring where we come from while looking ahead to where we are going.
I hope when you wear this pendant, it reminds you of your own journey—of the beauty that comes from transformation and the strength that lives within us all to keep moving forward.
I'll share some photos below from my recent trip to Mexico, where this design truly came to life. It’s a trip I’ll never forget, and I’m excited to share more of my story with you through my jewelry.
