Demeter

Goddess of the harvest, fertility, agriculture, nature and the seasons. She presided over grains and the fertility of the earth.

The middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Also the lover of Zeus and Poseidon, and the mother of Persephone, Despoine, Arion.

Her symbols include the poppy, wheat, torch, cornucopia, and pig.

As Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest, Demeter controlled the seasons and the growth of crops. Therefore, the ancient Greeks would worship and pray to Demeter in the hoped their crops would grow successfully. Demeter taught mortal men how to grow corn, and it was believed that the barrenness of winter was caused by her sadness over her daughter Persephone having to live in the underworld with Hades during these months.

• Facts about Demeter
• Demeter was the daughter of Cronos and RHEA.
• She was the goddess of harvest and fertility.
• She had one daughter, Persephone; Zeus was Persephone’s father.
• After Hades abducted Persephone, Demeter grieved. The earth became barren through her neglect; thus, the winter season and its manifestations were a reflection of Demeter’s emotional state during Persephone’s absence.
• She revealed to man the art of growing and using corn.
• Only women attended the Thesmophoria, a fertility festival held in honor of Demeter.
• She named Triptolemus her ambassador to men.
• She taught Triptolemus and Celeus her sacred rites.
• In ancient art, Demeter was pictured wearing a wreath made of ears of corn.
• The snake and the pig were sacred to her.