Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Hierophant

Hierophant

Chief priest of the Eleusinian Mysteries in ancient Greece. His main task was to display the sacred objects during the celebration of the mysteries and explain their secret meaning to initiates. The priest was usually an old, celibate man with a forceful voice, chosen from the Eumolpids, one of the original clans of Eleusis. Upon election, he cast aside his former name and was called only hierophantes.


Friday, 29 November 2013

Grace



The Kharites or Charites or Grace in Greek mythology is described as one of a group of goddess who personified charm and beauty.  The Grace were usually considered the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, however in other versions daughters of Zeus by Hera or Harmonia or Lethe or Eunomia or Eurydomene. Also in some versions they were daughters of Helios and Aegle, or of Apollo by  Aegle or Evanthe, or of Dionysus by Aphrodite or Coronis. 
The number of Grace varied in different legends, but usually they were three:
 Aglaia (brightness), 
Euphrosyne (joyfulness), and 
Thalia (bloom).
Other Grace sometimes mentioned were: 
Auxo,
 Hegemone,
 Peitho
Phaenna,
 Kharis, and
 Pasithea. 
               The Grace were attendants of the goddess Aphrodite and Hera. 

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Iris


Iris and Morpheus

In Greek mythology, Iris was described as the goddess of the rainbow, and the messenger of the Olympian gods. Iris was described goddess of the sea and sky, as she was the daughter of Thaumas (sea god) and Electra (cloud nymph). As the messenger of the gods, Iris is described as swift-footed, like a storm wind and she principally engaged in the, service of Zeus, and also Hera
 
Iris and Zeus

                                    Iris performed her services not only when commanded but she sometimes advice and assists of her own accord. Iris was chosen by the gods to carry water from the Styx (the river of oaths) to Mt Olympus for the gods to swear by. 
 
Iris carry water from the river Styx

                         Iris was described as a virgin goddess, but later writers said that she was married to Zephyrus, the god of west wind. 
Iris and Zephyrus

                Iris was represent either as a rainbow or as a young maiden with wings. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera sometimes as cupbearer of the gods she is often indistinguishable from Hebe in art.

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Hebe

Hebe

In Greek mythology, Hebe is described as goddess of youth, and daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mt Olympus.  She was also the goddess of the young bride and an attendant of the goddess Aphrodite. Hebe had power to make persons of advanced age young again. Hebe assists Hera in putting the horses to her chariot and she bathes and dresses her brother Ares.  Hebe's male counterpart was the boy Ganymede. When Hercules ascended into heaven after his painful death, Hebe became his bride.  Hebe became by Hercules the mother of two sons, Alexiares and Anitcetus. Sometime she was represented with wings like the goddess Iris and Nike.

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Monday, 25 November 2013

Phobos


In Greek mythology, Phobos is described as the son of Aphrodite and Ares, and twin brother of Deimos (terror). Phobos was described as the personification of fear. In Greek mythology, Phobos is more of a personification of the fear brought by war and does not appear as a character in any myth. He was known for accompanying Ares into battle along with Enyo, Eris, and Deimos (terror).

Phobos often is depicted as having a lion's or lion like head. Warriors and heroes who worshiped Phobos such as Hercules and Agamemnon carried shields with depiction of Phobos on them. Those who worshiped Phobos often made bloody sacrifices in his name. 

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