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The most common approach involves covering a name, symbol, or phrase forcibly tattooed by an exploiter. The butterfly design is strategically placed and scaled to fully obscure the unwanted tattoo. As one survivor noted, her design is "a flower blossoming into a butterfly, soaring into freedom".

and the modern, symbolic use of the butterfly to represent metamorphosis, resilience, and freedom. Here is a fictional story exploring that theme: The Chrysalis Mark

Vibrant blues, oranges, and purples are usually absent. Instead, the slave butterfly tattoo uses grays, blacks, and deep reds (to represent pain or blood). White ink highlights may symbolize lost innocence.