The mythology of archaic times attracts with its mystery and a lot of interesting persons of gods and goddesses, each of which manages a certain area of spheres of life or phenomenon. The goddess Diana - a wonderful hunter and favorite of ancient people, what did she gain respect and love for?
Who is the goddess Diana?
Studying the roots of the origin of the name Diana, historians came to the conclusion that the word has an Indo-European origin and comes from the "devas" or "divas" - which means God. The Romans and Greeks revered the goddess under different names. Diana, the goddess of the moon and the hunt, was often portrayed by ancient artists and sculptors in a silver flowing tunic with neatly gathered long hair back to the knot. Other symbols and attributes of the goddess-hunter, talking about who she is:
- quiver with arrows;
- golden onions;
- a pack of dogs;
- shield;
- torch;
- the emblem of the crescent moon on the head - as a symbol of the moon goddess.
Among the cult researchers there are disagreements about: what flower is associated with the goddess Diana? Two beautiful plants belong to the goddess:
- Carnation - a flower grown by Zeus from the blood of a young shepherdess in response to the request of repentant Diana, in a fit of anger killed a young man, for the fact that he played with his game on the horn frightened all the game and prevented hunting.
- Lily of the Valley - according to legend, the goddess Diana, pursued by the fauns hunting, fleeing, dropped drops of sweat on the ground and they transformed into beautiful white fragrant flowers.
The goddess Diana in Greek mythology
Initially, the cult of the goddess originated in Ancient Greece. The Greek goddess Diana is Artemis, the daughter of the supreme lord of Olympus, Zeus and the goddess Leto, her brother himself the radiant Apollo. It is also known under the names of Selena, Trivia and Hecate. Here the lunar cult of the goddess is traced, since the Greeks assigned a significant place to the cycles of the moon and the mysteries, so indirectly, Artemis is responsible for all the processes associated with fertility. Other functions of Artemis-Selena:
- assistant in childbirth;
- patroness of hunters;
- comforting mourners, and facilitating care for the dying;
- responsible for birth and death;
- goddess of darkness.
The goddess Diana in Roman mythology
Diana, the goddess of hunting, carried in herself the same functions as Artemis among the ancient Greeks. The cult quickly took root and the Romans with the same trepidation that the Hellenic people treated the divine essence. Goddess of the Moon Diana was known as a chaste virgin and patronized virgins. The shield with which Diana is often portrayed is intended to fight off the Cupid's arrows. The old Wiccan tradition and the Italian Stregheria (occult mystery) honor Diana as the leader of witches. Who else patronized Diana:
- The dispossessed and the slaves were under her protection;
- animal world;
- the ruler of three worlds: heaven, earth, the underworld.
Myth "Diana and Callisto"
Diana in mythology appears as a moral and pure maiden, devoid of dreams of men. From her nymphs she demands the same innocence. The myth of Diane and Callisto tells that Jupiter (Zeus) attracted the beauty of young Callisto and realizing that she is very devoted to Diana, decided to use cunning in order to seduce the nymph. Jupiter took on the form of Diana and began to kiss Callisto, who was pleased with the sudden attention of the goddess.
After some time, bathing in the source of chastity of Diana, other nymphs revealed Callisto's rounded belly before the amazed Diana. The nymph was expelled from the environment of the goddess in disgrace. This is not the end of Callisto's suffering. Juno, the wife of Jupiter turned the unfortunate into a bear, which was forced to wander through the forest. Jupiter pityed Callisto and turned it with his son into the constellations of Big and Little Dipper.
Myth "Diana and Actaeon"
Diana in Greek mythology - Artemis, impetuous as a doe, is depicted mainly, busy with her favorite thing - hunting. In his spare time he likes to frolic with the nymphs and swim in the sources of waters dedicated to him. Once the young hunter Acteon had the misfortune to approach the stream where the naked Diana (Artemis) bathed. The nymphs tried to cover up the goddess. With anger, Diana brought water splashes onto Actaeon's head, turning him into a deer. Seeing his reflection in the water, the hunter hurried to hide in the forest, but was surrounded and torn to pieces by his own dogs.