The goddess Demeter was celebrated throughout Greece. She personifies the devoted mother and is especially sacred to mothers and daughters.
Demeter Appearance: Usually a pleasant-looking mature woman, usually wearing a veil over her head although her face is visible. Often carrying wheat or his horn. Some images of Demeter show her very beautiful. She can be shown sitting on a throne, or wandering in search of Persephone.
Symbols and attributes of Demeter: an ear of wheat and the horn of plenty (Cornucopia).
Main temple site to visit: Demeter was worshiped at Eleusis, where initiation rites called Eleusinian Mysteries were performed for select participants. These were secrets; apparently no one broke their vows and described the details, so the exact content of the rites is still debated even today. Eleusis is close to Athens and can still be visited, although sadly it is surrounded by heavy industry.
Demeter’s Strengths : Demeter controls the fertility of the land as the goddess of agriculture; It also gives life after death to those who learn its mysteries.
Demeter’s Weaknesses: No one to cross lightly. After the kidnapping of her daughter Persephone, Demeter ruins the land and doesn’t let the plants grow. But who can blame her? Zeus gave Hades permission to “marry” Persephone, but wow! He didn’t mention it to her or her mom.
Demeter’s birthplace: unknown
Demeter’s spouse: not married; had an affair with Iason.
Demeter’s Children: Persephone, also known as Kore, the Maiden. Zeus is generally said to be her father, but at other times, it appears that Demeter managed without anyone else involved.
Demeter’s basic story: Persephone is kidnapped by Hades; Demeter searches for her but cannot find her, eventually preventing all life from growing on earth. Pan sees Demeter in the desert and reports his position to Zeus, who then begins negotiations. Ultimately, Demeter welcomes her daughter for a third of the year, Hades welcomes her for a third, and Zeus and the other Olympians have their services as a servant the rest of the time. Sometimes this is a simpler division, with Mom getting six months and my husband getting the other six.
Interesting Demeter Facts: Some scholars believe that Demeter’s mysterious rites derive from those of the Egyptian goddess Isis. In Greco-Roman times, they were sometimes considered the same or at least very similar goddesses.
The ancient Greeks could also dedicate sneezes to Demeter, similar to someone saying “God bless you!” One might think that an unexpected or timely sneeze has an oracular meaning like a message from Demeter, perhaps to abandon the idea under discussion. This may be the origin of the phrase “do not sneeze”, it should not be dismissed or taken lightly.
More quick facts on Greek gods and goddesses:
The 12 Olympians – Gods and Goddesses – Greek Gods and Goddesses – Temple Sites – The Titans – Aphrodite – Apollo – Ares – Artemis – Atalanta – Athena – Centaurs – Cyclops – Demeter Dionysos – Eros – Gaia – Hades – Helios – Hephaestus – Hera – Hercules – Hermes – Kronos – Medusa -Nike – Pan – Pandora – Pegasus – Persephone – Poseidon – Rhea – Selene – Zeus.
Find Books on Greek Mythology: Top Picks on Books on Greek Mythology
Plan your own trip to Greece
Flights to and around Greece: Athens and other Greece flights on Travelocity – The airport code for Athens International Airport is ATH.
Find and Compare Prices at: Hotels in Greece and the Greek Islands
Book your own Athens day trips
Book your own short trips around Greece and the Greek islands
