Japanese Swallowtail Puzzle

The wings and body of a swallowtail butterfly are decorated with designs inspired by patterns on kimonos and haoris from Japan, with traditional motifs like seigaiha or waves, kikko or geometric tortoiseshells decorated with flowers, and yagasuri or arrow fletching. These patterns use colors found in these clothes such as gold, green, bright purple, turquoise blue, white, and black. The antennae take inspiration from the brush strokes of Japanese sumi-e artwork and kanji.