A common motif associated with Minako is butterflies. It's found within her wardrobe, her holocall icon, and even her lower back tattoo. From her perspective they're just something she likes. On a more thematic level it's symbolic.
Butterflies, especially in Japanese culture, represent transformation and rebirth as well as the ephemerality of life.
Transformation and Rebirth: Much like in many other cultures, butterflies in Japan are seen as symbols of transformation and rebirth. Their metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly beautifully represents personal growth, change, and the cyclical nature of life.
Ephemeral Nature of Life: In Japanese philosophy, the fleeting beauty of the butterfly is a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life. This concept, known as “Mono no Aware,” reflects an awareness of the impermanence of all things, urging people to appreciate the beauty of the present moment.
Source
A side note: the phrase Mono no Aware is roughly translated as "the pathos of things," and could be considered the equivalent to the west's memento mori.
"There is beauty in life, and so long as we live, there is beauty in death. So we must truly live in every moment because life guarantees us no tomorrows. The beauty of life lies in its impermanence. Like the pink petals of the cherry blossom trees dancing in the wind, falling like snowflakes of spring in the gentle breeze, dusting the earth in a flowery grave. To be truly at peace under the cherry blossoms is to know mono no aware. Often translated as "the pathos of things," the Japanese phrase conveys a profound understanding of the impermanence of our reality and an appreciation for that beauty which lies in its transient nature. It is this very feeling that draws crowds of people every year, basking in awe of those delicate flowers, to capture their utmost beauty—lingering on the brink of death. Like the short-lived cherry blossoms—beginning to fall within a mere week of their bloom — life brings with it a sense of joyful melancholy. Take a moment to acknowledge all the beauty that surrounds us. This ahhness that grips our souls, we must awaken ourselves to it and learn its lessons. We must live as if we are going to die, not as though we never will. Embrace change as it rises with the sun, blows in the wind, and rolls with the waves, and know that every day is a new beginning and that every spring will bloom again, forever beautiful and new because we, too, are like the cherry blossoms—beautiful, though impermanent nevertheless." --prologue 1, "mono no aware" by Ashley LaBelle
Source
All things in life are fragile and impermanent. Everything we love is doomed to fade... but at the same time, isn't that what makes it beautiful? --- TvTropes
The metamorphosis of butterflies, the rebirth, and the fragility of life are so deeply ingrained within Minako's character beyond just being V, yet also tied heavily to it. The events of 2077/PL reflect that. In contingency with those themes is other allegorical details such as the fact her birth was not only on double 4's, but during hanami season.
Obviously life is fragile no matter what. But dealing with the relic really puts that into perspective, even if Mina is already aware of and has witnessed the ephemerality of life. Watching someone you love die is complicated and traumatic; knowing on a deeper level that you are actively dying is equally so but in a different way. Then there's the act of taking life; an act no different than snuffing the flame of a candle yet with much meaning and weight to it. Realization of mortality comes in several different flavors, and Mina gets a taste of all of them to be frank.
It's miraculous the evolution Minako goes through even before 2077. From reclusive depression with a determination to just rot, to the illusion of freedom, to having actual freedom and a renewed lust for life & living, to having to accept and live through the five stages of grief. With that comes personal growth (another metamorphosis) which includes grappling with the deepest reflection of one's mortality.
The biggest evolution is how she handles the choice of: having a quiet life or a blaze of glory. To which I think she settles mostly on a balance between the two. She's burned brightly during the events of 2077/PL so in the end she's satisfied with the trail she blazed though still continues with work as a Solo; she just has a grander appreciation more the mundane aspects of life.
The Nihilistic views she holds don't completely go away but in a weird way serve to fuel her want to live the life she wants. There's the element of "nothing in life may matter yet I'll make it matter."
V: but how do i keep up with everything that's changing?
Skye: you have been keeping up. you've made an impact. not a single thing in this world isn't in the process of becoming something else, likewise, you. never look back. if you gotta kill, kill. if you gotta burn it all to the ground, then let it burn.
