The Symbols of Artemis In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the goddess Artemis was often illustrated with images representing her symbols - the bow and arrow, deer, hounds, bears, snakes, the moon and the cypress tree.The symbols of Artemis were: - The Bow and Arrow
- These symbols reflect her love of hunting and her position of Goddess of the hunt
- The Moon
- The symbol of the moon is because every evening she mounted her moon chariot, and drove her pure white horses across the heavens
- Deer, hounds, bears, snakes
- The symbol of the deer, hounds, bears, snakes were the animals that were sacred to the goddess. The deer relates to the myth about the Ceryneian hind
- The Cypress Tree
- The symbol of the cypress tree .has traditionally represented mourning and grief. This symbol relates to Artemis because although associated with healing she could also bring terrible diseases.
Picture of a Statue of the Goddess Artemis Facts about Artemis in Greek Mythology Discover interesting information and facts about Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology. The facts about Artemis provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Artemis in Greek Mythology. Picture of the Goddess Artemis and the Satyrs Artemis in Mythology and Legend The Ceryneian hind: In Greek mythology and legends, the Ceryneian hind was a deer that was sacred to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Her chariot was made of gold and was pulled by four golden horned deer. The fifth deer, known as the Kerynitian Hind, roamed free. The Ceryneian hind performed other tasks for her. The Ceryneian hind was briefly kidnapped by Heracles (Hercules) as part of his 12 labors. Endymon: In Greek mythology she catches sight of the sleeping Endymion, and falls in love with him. But their love was doomed. As he was a man, not a god, their love is forbidden. She was often depicted with the crescent of the moon above her forehead Like her Apollo, her brother, she was also a god of healing, but she could also bring and spread terrible diseases such as leprosy Actaeon: She was bathing in the woods when a hunter named Actaeon stumbled across her. He stopped and stared, amazed at her beauty. The goddess was furious and punished Actaeon. She forbade Actaeon to speak threatening to turn him into a stag if he disobeyed. He ignored her and called to his hunting party, and was changed into a stag. His own hounds then turned upon him and tore him to pieces. On another occasion she was bathing, attended by hand servant nymphs when she was seen by satyrs who tried to ravage them (see above picture). Niobe: Niobe bragged that she was more important than Leto, the mother of Artemis and her brother Apollo, as she had 14 children and Leto only two. In revenge for the insult, the brother and sister killed all of Niobe's children, except two, with their bow and arrows. Niobe wept for her dead children so much that she turned into a pillar of stone. Worshipping the gods Artemis - Greek Gods & Greek Mythology for Kids Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, was one of the extraordinary number of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. The legend and myth about Artemis has been passed down through the ages and plays an important role the history of the Ancient World and the study of the Greek classics. Artemis features in the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks which are based on the idea that these supernatural beings resembled mortals but possessed great magical and mystic powers. - The Greek gods and goddesses were immortal but not invulnerable.
- The Greek Gods including Artemis lived on the summit of the mythical Mount Olympus
- Artemis looked and dressed like a mortal, ate and slept and was able to marry and have children
- The Greek gods and goddesses were more beautiful, taller and stronger than mere mortals
Greek gods and goddesses, such as Artemis, possessed supernatural powers and presided over specific dominions and were strongly associated with areas of power. Artemis is known as the Greek goddess of the hunt. |