Dionysus Symbol

Who is Dionysus in Greek mythology?

Dionysus/Dionysos, also known as Liber Pater and Bachus, is the Greek god of fertility, wine, theatre, pleasure, vegetation and festivity in mythology.

He is the son of Zeus and Semele, the princess of Thebes, one of King Cadmus’s daughters.

The Interesting Story of Dionysus Birth

According to the myth, being jealous of Zeus’s affair with Semele, Hera tricked Semele, who was pregnant with Dionysus at the time, to make her lover appear fully as himself and proving his divinity. Zeus had to fulfill this request and his lightning bolts ended up killing Semele.

Zeus then saved the unborn child from Semele’s body, sewed Dionysus on his thigh and carried him to term.

On an interesting side note, some sources state Demeter or Persephone as the mother of Dionysus.

Dionysus Symbols

Thyrsus, the pine cone staff, leopard skin, panthers, cheetahs and grapevines were the main symbols of Dionysus.

Dionysus Sacred Animals and Plants

Serpents, bulls and panthers were the sacred animals of Dionysus while ivy, grapevine and bindweed were known as his sacred plants.

Greek God Zeus Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants

Zeus Symbol, Lightning Bolt Thunder

Today’s post is about Zeus, one of the most important figures in Greek mythology, if not the most important. We will be examining symbols of Zeus including his sacred animals and plants as well as providing information about his characteristics, family tree, wives and children. Who Is Zeus in Greek Mythology? Zeus is the god of the sky, lightning/thunder, weather, fate and kings in Greek mythology. He is also known as the King of the Gods since he is the main … Continue reading the article