The bat, the butterfly, the moth




As a child, Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922) enjoyed the arts and making inkblot pictures, which in the end led him down a path of using inkblots as a diagnostic tool. The inkblots ultimately became the basis for his personality test - later modified by Samuel Beck and Bruno Klopfer, and standardized by John Exner.

Berlin Art Therapy have adopted the fifth plate of the Rorschach inkblot series as its mascot. In comparison with the prior inkblots, it is one usually easy for subjects to discuss and elaborate. It is most commonly seen as a bat, butterfly or moth. 

Conversantly, the Greek capital letter 'psi' ( Ψ), is often used to represent the field of Psychology. The Romans transliterated 'psi' to form the word psyche, meaning butterfly in Latin. The butterfly was also a symbol for the breath of life, a breeze, a second wind.


M.P.