How does the author use symbolism in the novel, Winter Garden?

The cloissoné butterfly is a symbol of heritage. Zoya gives this butterfly to Vera as a symbol of her father on the day when Vera learns for sure that her father is dead. Zoya tells Vera that her grandfather made the butterfly for the princess, but it was deemed inferior work so he was dismissed from his job in the palace. He gave Zoya and Petyr the butterfly as a wedding gift. Vera later gave Anya this butterfly when she sent her ahead to Vologda on the train. The butterfly surfaces again when Anya (Vera), Meredith, and Nina visit Stacey at her home in Russia. Stacey has kept his butterfly that her mother gave her at the train station.