Based off numerous frescoes and statues of the Minoan goddess and priestesses, I created my own Minoan-inspired rendition of a Minoan Goddess or Priestess.
A long flounced skirt with a waist-slimming belt, and an open-breasted jacket… These are just some aspects of Minoan fashion. Go here to find out more about what the Minoan people wore, how they styled their hair, etc.
The Goddess by The Dolphin fresco! This is a photo I took back in 2011 when I was in Knossos. The fresco’s color scheme is what inspired the colors I used for her outfit.
In this version, she has a labrys in hand and is surrounded by blue butterflies. The wings or butterflies aren’t shown in the Minoan’s depictions, but I added them due to her association with animals (including birds and butterflies). Also, another word for the labrys is butterfly axe.
Ariadne (Greek: Ἀριάδνη) was a Cretan princess and the daughter of King Minos (the mythic king that the Minoans were named after) and Pasiphae (a sorceress and daughter of Helios). Upon her death, she was regarded as a goddess of labyrinths and paths.
Ariadne by John William Waterhouse (1898)
The Myth of Ariadne: Princess Turned Goddess
There are several versions of Ariadne’s myth, but she is best known for overseeing the labyrinth where sacrifices were made. Putting an end to these atrocities once and for all, she ended up assisting Theseus in his escape from the Minotaur (a half-bull, half-man creature) with a ball of thread, only to be abandoned by him at Naxos. Exhausted and heartbroken, she fell asleep at the island’s shore. Dionysus (god of wine and festivity) happened to see her, and it was love at first sight. They later married, and as a sign of his devotion, Dionysus tossed Ariadne’s bejeweled crown into the heavens, creating the Corona Borealis1. Her goddess status came after she died when her grief-stricken husband traveled to the Underworld and brought her back to life so they could be together forevermore.
Bacchus (Dionysus) and Ariadne by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (1720)
A Goddess of Pre-Greek Origins
While Ariadne is prominent in Greek mythology, linguist Robert S. P. Beekes and archaeologist Stylianos Alexiou have theorized that she had a pre-Hellenistic origin. The main reason is due to her name including “dn” (δν), which is particularly rare in Indo-European languages. Therefore, that points to her name stemming from Minoan loanwords2. Furthermore, Greek lexicographers have claimed that Ariadne is derived from the ancient Cretan dialectical elements: “ari” (ἀρι: most) and “adnós” (ἀδνός: holy), so The “Most Holy” One3.
Yet another aspect to Ariadne is that of a Minoan fertility goddess. Could it be that Ariadne was the Minoan’s mother goddess repurposed/re-imagined by the Greeks?
Some more information about her is included in the infographic I created below:
Sources
Hall, James (2018). Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art↩︎
Beekes, Robert (2010). Etymological Dictionary of Greek: Volume I↩︎
Hanks, Patrick; Hodges, Flavia (1997). A Concise Dictionary of First Names↩︎
This snake-wielding Minoan Goddess (also potentially known as Atana Potnia) is quite the mystery in some ways but distinct in others. Going off of what we do know and her depiction, I’ve compiled a list of ways to honor this deity of Minoan civilization who is considered a precursor to the Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena. Go here to find out more about her.
two snake goddess statues
a bird-eating snake
1. Become an advocate of snake conservation.
The snake association of this goddess is evident, with her holding snakes in her hands and all. Here is a renowned serpentine cause: www.savethesnakes.org
a sketch of a Minoan snake device
2. Adopt snakes.
Especially in ancient times, snakes symbolized fertility and rebirth. Bonus points if you’re scared of snakes and still decide to adopt them.
an old artist rendering of Palace of Knossos at its peak
3. Go to the Palace of Knossos, learn more about it, or take a virtual tour.
Snake Goddess and Priestess figurines of varying sizes were found at Knossos in Crete during Arthur Evans’ excavations. I have posted several 3D renditions of the palace here.
various Minoan Goddess artifacts
4. Learn more about your maternal ancestry.
Also referred to as the Mother Goddess, learning more about your mother’s side and paying tribute to those who came before you is a wonderful way to connect with Atana Potnia’s energy.
a sketch of the famous Snake Goddess figurine with the head missing
5. Draw a portrait of her.
Creating art to honor a deity has been a prime devotional act since antiquity. The Minoans were particularly known for their frescoes and use of vibrant color.
6. Identify core childhood wounds and take the steps necessary to nurture yourself.
As a Mother Goddess, Atana Potnia is a nurturing figure by default. In healing ourselves, we in turn heal our ancestors and those we are surrounded by alike.
7. Volunteer at a Women’s Shelter
Female deities seemed to be of central focus for the Minoans. Also, priestesses led ceremonies. That alone tells us how much the Minoans revered the divine feminine. As such, helping women and femmes who have endured domestic violence or other forms of abuse is a good way to honor the divine feminine and thus The Snake Goddess.
8. Wear or make jewelry with snakes implemented into it.
This is a great snake-inspired act to replace adopting a snake if that isn’t feasible. You can find some more information about Minoan jewelry here.
9. Support women/femme-run causes or businesses.
I more or less touched on this in devotional act number 7.
an altar I set up for The Goddess
10. Set up an altar for her.
Sculptures of the Minoan Snake goddess can easily be found on Etsy, which is a solid place to start. I got mine from a gift shop by Knossos. Beyond the snake imagery, implementing owl imagery would work too! In the reconstruction of her sculpture, a cat was added atop of her head. However, cats didn’t seem to be an important symbol to the Minoans. Many speculate that it was in fact an owl (there’s an owl in the replica I have, which you can see in the photo above).
Minoan Magissa 