Mariposa Traicionera

Maná's 'Mariposa Traicionera,' which translates to 'Treacherous Butterfly,' is a poignant song that delves into the themes of love, betrayal, and the pain of letting go. The Mexican rock band Maná is known for their poetic lyrics and fusion of pop rock with Latin rhythms, and this song is a quintessential example of their emotive storytelling through music.

The lyrics use the metaphor of a butterfly to represent a lover who is unfaithful and flits from one relationship to another, causing heartache. The narrator describes himself as a 'ratón de tu ratonera' (mouse in your mousetrap), indicating that he is trapped by his feelings for this person, despite knowing that she is harmful to him. The butterfly, light and carefree, is contrasted with the pain and heaviness the narrator feels, highlighting the imbalance in their relationship.

As the song progresses, the narrator comes to terms with the need to let go of this treacherous love. The repeated lines 'Ay, mariposa de amor, mi mariposa de amor / Ya no regreso contigo' (Oh, love butterfly, my love butterfly / I will not return to you) signify a painful but necessary farewell. The wish for the butterfly to 'fly near the sun' so that she may 'feel what pain is' suggests a desire for the unfaithful lover to experience the same hurt that she has inflicted. The song ends with a mixture of sorrow and resignation, as the narrator has cried 'todo un río' (an entire river) for this love, and now must accept that she will fly away from him forever.