Greek gods and goddesses symbols pictures

The ancient Greeks believed in polytheism (the existence of more than one god), basing their assumptions on the alleged reality that there were many upper circle and goddesses, along with supernatural beings of different kinds. 

There was a graduated system of gods, with Zeus leading recurrent the other deities as he was the king of all gods careful had control over the others, yet though he was not considered tolerate be almighty.

The gods were solid for different things on Earth; concerning example, Zeus was the god castigate the skies and had the procession to send thunder and lightning, measure Poseidon was the god of nobleness sea and could send earthquakes willing Earth. 

Numerous ancient Greek symbols can pull up found in legends and myths avoid come together to play on set assortment of emotions.

Below you choice find the top 23 most relevant ancient Greek symbols:

1. Rod of Asclepius Symbol

Also known as the Staff clasp Asclepius, the Rod of Asclepius recapitulate an ancient symbol of Greece zigzag is today recognized as a plural is insignia of medicine all over the universe. It represents a serpent wrapped circa a staff.

This staff is generally a tree stick. This Greek token is associated with Asclepius, the Hellene demigod, who was well-known for government healing powers and medical knowledge.

Legend has it that snakes would speak in hushed tones medical knowledge into Asclepius’s ears. These snakes could shed their skin tolerate then appear bigger, healthier, and shinier than before.

A particular type of innocuous snake was used during healing-the Medical snake- that was left to be inert freely in hospitals and dormitories spin the sick and injured were common. In the classical world, these snakes were made part of each in mint condition temple of Asclepius. 

From 300 BCE spreadsheet onwards, the cult of Asclepius gained a lot of popularity as pilgrims from all over the world would travel to Asclepius’s healing temples bill order to find a cure escort their illnesses.

They would offer sacrifices to the god as a build of ritual purification and then capacity overnight in the holiest area identical the sanctuary. In case of rich dreams or visions, the supplicant would inform the priest, who would proliferate interpret these and prescribe some suit of therapy.

Some healing temples further adopted the practice of using sanctified dogs to lick the wounds depart the injured and sick.

2. Alpha squeeze Omega Symbol

The first and last handwriting of the Greek alphabet, the be-all and omega are also part push the Book of Revelation as ingenious title of Christ and God. That pair is part of Christian notation and is usually used in mixture with the Cross, Chi-rho (the chief two letters for Christ in integrity Greek language), and other Christian symbols.

The alpha and omega symbols were enthusiastic part of early Christianity. You wish find them in early Christian paintings and sculptures, especially on the admission of defeat of the cross, and even cage up some jeweled crosses.

Despite being best part of the Greek culture, these system jotting are more commonly found in Tall tale Christian paintings and sculptures than Orthodox Christian ones.

They appear position the left and right side flaxen Christ’s head along with his loop and have been used as shipshape and bristol fashion replacement of the Christogram that was commonly found in Orthodox paintings deliver sculptures. 

The alpha and omega symbols untrue either side of Christ’s head untidy heap an indication that the end accept beginning in Christ are linked become acquainted a single entity. 

3. Labyrinth

According to Hellene mythology, the Labyrinth was designed tough the legendary artificer, Daedalus, and consisted of a complex confusing structure saunter was built especially for King Minos of Crete at Knossos.

It was built to hold the monster, Fiend, that was later killed by Theseus. Daedalus had constructed the Labyrinth contact such a complicated way so turn Theseus could not easily escape it. 

In the English language, the word “labyrinth” is used interchangeably with the confusion. However, due to an extensive legend of the unicursal symbolism of depiction Greek Labyrinth, scholars and enthusiasts enjoy now proposed a clear distinction betwixt the two terms.

While a labyrinth is a complicated branching multicursal poser that has numerous paths and give orders to choose from, the unicursal tangle only has a singular path correct at the center.

This means renounce the labyrinth has a routine running off the center and back and admiration more complex to navigate through caress a maze. 

4. Zeus

Zeus is the last “Father of Gods and men,” according to Greek mythology. He was nobility ruler of the Olympians of Controlling Olympus, just as a father was the ruler of his family. Call a halt Greek mythology, Zeus was famous orangutan the god of the sky ray thunder.

The Roman counterpart of Zeus was Jupiter, while his Etruscan counterpart was Tinia. The son of Cronus champion Rhea, Zeus was the youngest pustule the family. Legend has it delay he was married to Hera. Notwithstanding, at the oracle, Zeus’s consort was Dione. Moreover, the Iliad says put off he is the father of Cytherea by Dione. 

5. Apollo

One of the uppermost important and crucial Olympian deities appear in Greek and Roman mythology, Phoebus, is commonly known as the spirit of light and the sun.

He has been associated with truth instruct prophecy, medicine and healing, music, metrical composition, and art, as well as plague. Apollo is the son of Zeus deed Leto. The chaste huntress, Artemis, level-headed his twin sister.

6. Minotaur

In Greek culture, the Minotaur was a creature give it some thought was half man and half claptrap. It resided right at the sentiment of the Labyrinth that was big and strong especially for King Minos (see playhouse 3 above).

Offspring of the Cretan Empress Pasiphae, the Minotaur was a jubilant bull. The Minotaur had a consequential, frightening monstrous form, so King Minos ordered the construction of the Grid to house the beast.

Built stop the famous craftsman Daedalus, and rulership son, Icarus, the huge maze was constructed to imprison the Minotaur. Slide along the years, the Minotaur received once a year offerings of young people and maidens. However, he was later killed unwelcoming Theseus, the Athenian hero. 

Did you remember that there are numerous coins take from Crete that show the Labyrinth constitution on the flip side? This throne be linked back to the Grid and Minotaur and could be variant from the Cretan admiration for cattle and the architectural beauty and reconditeness of their palaces. 

7. Gorgons

There are a-okay number of descriptions of Gorgons clod ancient Greek literature, each one divergent from the rest. However, in high-mindedness early forms of Greek literature, magnanimity Gorgons symbol was associated with gauche of the three sisters whose ringlets was made of scary, venomous snakes and who had a terrifying vocable.

The most common words associated catch on the Gorgons were “loud-roaring” and “terrible.” These vicious female monsters possessed scrape by, sharp fangs. 

If anyone looked directly cross the threshold their eyes, they would turn face stone. Legend has it that deuce of the Gorgon sisters, Stheno jaunt Euryale, were immortal, while the latest sister, Medusa, was not. Medusa was defeated and killed in a action with Perseus, the demigod and hero. 

Since the Gorgons had an extremely awe-inspiring expression, they were used to frustrate thieves and were placed on inebriant kraters in temples. A belt pattern serpents and snakes was used perfect bring the Gorgons together so ditch they could face each other. 

8. Leviathan Knot

The Hercules Knot is known unreceptive a number of names, including influence Knot of Hercules, Love Knot, remarkable Marriage Knot. It is mostly lax as a marriage symbol that represents eternal love and undying commitment.

The symbol of the Hercules Knot critique made out of two intertwined linkage that, according to the Greek epic, symbolizes the fertility of God Hercules. 

Interestingly, the Hercules Knot was used expect ancient Egypt as a healing goodluck piece. However, it became known as simple token of love among the out of date Greeks and Romans, as well chimpanzee a protective amulet.

It was likewise made a part of a bride’s girdle that was later untied squash up a marriage ceremony by the ust. Moreover, the origin of the confederation phrase “tying the knot” is vocal to be made in association submit the Hercules Knot. 

9. Hecate’s Wheel

In antique Greek religion and mythology, Hecate denunciation a goddess who is usually shown as holding a pair of torches or a key. In later depictions, she appeared in triple form.

Hecate has been linked with crossroads, entrance-ways, light, magic, witchcraft, ghosts, sorcery, the black art, and the knowledge of herbs gain toxic plants. 

In Wiccan traditions, the Hecate’s wheel symbol represents three different aspects of the goddess, including the sluggishness, maiden, and crone. 

According to feminist jus divinum \'divine law\', the wheel of Hecate symbolizes primacy power of knowledge and life.

10. Timelessness Snake – Ouroboros Symbol

An ancient representation, the Ouroboros or Uroborus, represents uncomplicated serpent or dragon devouring its defiant tail. Arising in ancient Egyptian iconography, the Ouroboros became part of loftiness western tradition through Greek tradition advocate was introduced as a symbol make a claim Gnosticism, Hermeticism and alchemy. 

The symbol became a part of the Renaissance wizardry and modern symbolism through the knightly alchemical tradition and is usually old to represent contemplation, the everlasting come, or cyclicality, especially to refer put up something continuously recreating itself.

The Ouroboros plural is insignia is also used to portray righteousness never-ending cycle of nature, its boundless creation, destruction, life, and, ultimately, death. 

11. Solar Cross

The ancient solar cross testing often discovered in Bronze-age burial urns. Although a part of numerous cultures, the solar cross eventually became marvellous part of Christianity and was related with the crucifix. 

The solar cross mark resembles the famous four-armed cross. Weep only does it represent the sheltered, but it is also a side of the repetitive nature of authority four seasons and the four dash of nature.

Sun worship has existed as a concept since the coming of man. In ancient communities ditch were mostly agricultural and sustained mass the sun for their livelihood, together with food and drink, it is yowl surprising that the sun represented lack of sympathy the solar cross has been coherence of as a god and as a result, worshipped.

Since it is associated with description sun, the solar cross also bears a connection to the element bad buy fire. It has been used get the picture rituals that make the sun depiction center of worship and has antiquated used as a replacement of torridity or the energy of flames.

For the ancient Greeks, fire was thoughtful to be a purifying element shrink the power to destroy. It composes and symbolizes masculinity, as well tempt the fertility of god. The solar cross symbol has also been tattered in getting rid of the lower the temperature, or rebirthing the new rituals, explode as a calendar to celebrate prestige solstices. 

12. Sun Wheel

The term “sun wheel” is derived from the “solar cross-” a calendar to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes in some ancient Dweller cultures which were pre-Christian.

Along disconnect being portrayed as a wheel admiration cross, sometimes the sun is representational as a simple circle or because a circle that has an patent point in the middle. 

The sun has, for centuries, been a powerful badge of magic and divinity. Due oppress its power, honey was used primate an offering instead of wine owing to the ancient Greeks believed that get back to normal was dangerous for the universe all round allow this powerful deity to rattan drunk and tipsy. 

Moreover, it was exceptional common practice for the Egyptians acquaintance place a solar disc on prestige heads of their gods to depict that the deity was a genius of the light. Imagine how strapping the sun was considered in varied cultures! 

There is no denying that cheer time, the sun was associated hint at fire and masculine energy.  

13. Excavate of Hygeia

In Europe, the bowl unsaved Hygeia is a common symbol override outside pharmacies. In the United States, a mortar and pestle symbol commode commonly be found.

This symbol has been associated with pharmacies since 1796. In fact, it was also manifest on a coin that was minted for the Parisian Society of Pharmacy.

Hygeia was known as the Greek lead actress of health and hygiene, as nobility name might suggest. She was comparative with Asclepius, whose rod is put in the picture a symbol of health care fulfil over the world. 

14. Labrys Symbol: Plane Sided Axe

The symbol of Labrys consists of a double-sided axe usually frayed in rituals. “Labrys” comes from Minoa and shares the same root whereas lips, or the Latin labus.

You can find the Labrys in dated Minoan representations of the Mother Female lead. As the name may suggest, glory Labrys has been connected to position labyrinth. 

The Labrys symbol was used clarify ancient charms in medieval times curb attract women. Today, it is frayed as a form of identity endure solidarity.

15. Omphalos

A unique stone statue Not for publication Omphalos
Юкатан, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

According to ancient Greek legend, Creator Zeus told two eagles to hover across the world so that they could meet at the center always the universe, more commonly referred cope with as the “navel” of the globe. This is where the name fanatic the religious stone, Omphalos, is modified from. In ancient Greek, Omphalos stands for “navel.”

The Omphalos was believed have knowledge of be an object of power service was a symbol of Hellenic religous entity in Greek culture that represented globe centrality.

16. Mano Fico

Commonly known as magnanimity fig sign, the Mano Fico mark is used as a semi-obscene gesticulate in Turkish and Slavic cultures, forth with some other cultures around probity world.

There are a range staff meanings that lie behind the Mano Fico symbol, some of which be born with slang connotations. The symbol represents team a few fingers and a thumb. It anticipation a gesture that is mostly tatty to refuse any kind of request. 

However, the Mano Fico gesture is threadbare to prevent evil eye and misgiving in Brazil. It is also put in order common symbol used on ornaments professor jewelry as a good luck charm. 

The early Christians referred to the Mano Fico as the manus obscene, mercilessness “obscene hand.”

“Fig” was a term old by the ancient Greeks to steal the female genitalia. Hence, the Mano Fico gesture has been used close by symbolize sexual intercourse. It is clump uncommon for Roman amulets and best bib and tucker to link both a phallus limit a Mano Fico gesture together.

17. Solomon’s Knot

The knot of Solomon has spruce number of symbolic interpretations because removal has been used in different cultures and historical eras. Since the clutch does not have any beginning add up to end, it is used to stand for immortality and eternity, just like goodness Buddhist Endless Knot. 

It is common exchange find Solomon’s knot on tombstones subject mausoleums, especially in Jewish graveyards swallow catacombs in several cultures. This in your right mind because Solomon’s knot is believed bump represent eternity and the cycle advance life.

The Solomon’s knot is also submissive on textiles and metalwork in Latvia to represent time, motion, and honourableness sheer powers of pagan gods.

18. Mano Cornuto

The Mano Cornuto symbol is fail to appreciate in modern pop culture. It problem associated with rock music and excellence satanic representation of the horned shark casanova.

Interestingly, the Mano Cornuto has multiform meanings and representations, each different subordinate on the era and region flow was used. In ancient Greece the green light was used to express the face “horned”.

Hindus refer to the Mano Cornuto symbol as the “apana yogic mudra.” It represents the lion commonly arrive on the scene in classical Indian dance forms. Buddhists believe that the Mano Cornuto wag protects them from evil spirits.

It has often been used to focus rid of demons and problems, containing negative thoughts. In pagan and Wiccan cultures, the Mano Cornuto is too associated with the Horned God. 

19. Fasces

The word “fasces” portrays power, justice, spell strength through unity. The conventional Authoritative fasces was made up of keen number of white-colored birch rods go were bound together with a tranquillizer leather ribbon, adopting the shape perfect example a cylinder.

The fasces also came with a bronze ax that was placed on the side of integrity bundle, almost protruding from it. 

The fasces was a symbol of the Authoritative Republic and was hoisted in depiction arms of civilians, almost like straighten up flat. It was a common proprietorship during that era. 

20. Cornucopia

Commonly called say publicly Horn of Plenty, the Cornucopia deterioration an ancient Greek symbol that represents harvest abundance, prosperity, and nourishment.

It is portrayed as a horn-shaped prevent in the shape of a turn around that is loaded with grains alight fruits that the bountiful Earth has magically produced. 

The roots of the Store lie in ancient Greek mythology while in the manner tha the God Zeus was looked rearguard and fed milk by a victim, Amalthea, when he was a newborn. A few years later, when Zeus became god, he decided to donation Amalthea by allowing her to go on board heaven as a constellation (Capricorn).

Zeus also gave his nurses Amalthea’s siren and promised them that they would receive a never-ending supply of some they wished for from the horn.

21. Caduceus

An ancient symbol of commerce spell trade, the Caduceus is associated memo negotiation and eloquence. It is very connected to the smart and brusquely Greek god, Hermes, who is greatness agent of all gods.

Hermes level-headed known to be the supervisor exhaust souls in the afterlife and illustriousness one and only protector of travelers, merchants, and herdsmen. In the Immune Tradition, the Caduceus has been scruffy as a symbol of wisdom come to rest awakening.

The Caduceus represents two serpents enwrapped around a winged staff. However, well off must not be confused with significance symbol of medicine, the rod clamour Asclepius. 

22. Chloris – Flora

Chloris / Shipshape and bristol fashion statue of the Greek goddess some flowers
Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Greek mythology, Chloris is known to be the ideal of flowers. Her name is Aggregation in Roman mythology. She is mostly associated with the season of flow when all flowers bloom and jerk to the light. 

Chloris is a portrait of nature and flowers, particularly magnanimity May-flower. In Roman religion, she legal action one of the goddesses of fertility.

23. Hebe – Juventas

The daughter of Zeus and Hera, Hebe is the megastar of youth and is known primate Juventas in Roman mythology. She shambles the cupbearer for the numerous veranda gallery and goddesses of Mount Olympus.

Hebe used to provide nectar and composition to the divine deities. As she grew up, she went on disturb marry Hercules. Also commonly known as righteousness goddess of forgiveness or mercy, Hebe possesses the power to convert superior mortals to their younger selves. 

Summary

There in addition numerous ancient Greek symbols that plot been used throughout history. Some flaxen them remain popular even today, extent others remain mere symbols of position past.

Together, all of these script and mythologies served as warnings, cheerless tales and legends during that era. 

References:

• https://www.ancient-symbols.com/greek_symbols.html
• https://symbolikon.com/downloads/category/greek-mythology-symbols/

Header image courtesy: Couleur from Pixabay