Who is The Butterfly from The Interior Castle and what is their importance?

The butterfly is Teresa's analogy to the seeking soul which undergoes a metamorphosis as it moves into deeper into the castle. As a silkworm, the butterfly builds its cocoon...... the house in which it will die. In Teresa's analogy, it serves as the house of prayer. While living, the butterfly experiences all of the emotions of the journey and periods of restlessness until at last it dies of happiness in the Sixth Dwelling.