This is a list of the main Roman Gods and Goddesses and their Greek equivalent. Donkeys, cranes and guard dogs were his sacred animals. 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. Some of them were the Roman equivalent to Greek Gods, others came from ancient Italic tribes and were specific to Rome and others were gods and goddesses Rome started worshipping after its expansion to faraway lands, mostly Egypt and the Middle East. The 12 major Romans gods were called the Dii Consentes and their statues stood in the Roman Forum. Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. Without further ado, here is our full list of Greek god symbols, sacred animals and plants. Ravens, wolves, dolphins and swans were known as his sacred animals while larkspurs, cypress trees and laurels were Apollos sacred plants. Dogs, mans best friend, is also worshiped during the Kukur Tihar festival in few parts of Nepal. Vesta was the native Roman goddess of the fireplace and the six virgins tended the sacred fire, baked sacred salt cakes (mola salsa) and oversaw the care of sacred objects in the temple. Delve into the fascinating tales of how and why certain animals are held in such high regard by some cultures. The Romans celebrated the festival of Neptunalia on July 23 every year, a two day festival in the gods honour. The ancient Romans worshipped a large number of Gods and Goddesses. Excerpt from the book The Mercies of the Sacred Heart - Today's article considers the reasons why we should honor and reverence our Lord's Sacred Heart. When the illegitimate Minerva burst out of Jupiters head, Juno sought to do the same thing. It dates back to the times of the Roman kings. As she is the patron goddess of marriage as well, a favourable time to marry is the month of June. Your daily dose of History. But above all other ancient Roman animals it was the elephant which became a symbol of Roman power and the success of its Emperors. No ancient source, however, poses this dichotomy, which is not generally accepted among scholars of the 21st century. Pigs, cows and donkeys were her sacred animals while yarrow flowers and chaste trees were her sacred plants. [11] Plebeian or Aventine Triad: Ceres, Liber, Libera, dating to 493 BC. Aegina. She helped Greeks win the legendary Trojan War, aided Oddyseus on his journey back home and Heracles while he tried to fulfill his twelve labors and warned Perseus about the magical powers Medusa possessed. Most of the 12 major Roman gods identified with their Greek counterparts, they had many similarities and were drawn from Greek iconography, myths and religious practices. Bulls and eagles were the sacred animals of Zeus while his sacred plants were oak and olive trees. Serpent deities have an important place in Indian culture. Sacred flocks and herds? Diana is the main Roman Goddess of the lunar light. She is the Roman patron goddess of the countryside, the moon and the hunters. He was usually depicted as a bearded, crippled man with hammer, tongs, and anvil, and sometimes riding a donkey. The event is said to have taken place in Campus Martius, where Augustus, founder of the new Rome, later built his Mausoleum. Ares Symbol - Sacred Animals, Plants and Symbols of Ares. Egyptians believed cats were mystical animals, with the capability of bringing good luck to the individuals who housed them. Vulcano and his Greek equivalent Aephestus was the roman god of fire, overlooking metallurgic art and therefore weaponry. Lists of deities were kept by the College of Pontiffs to assure that the correct names were invoked for public prayers. The first Augusta was Livia, wife of Octavian, and the title is then shared by various state goddesses including Bona Dea, Ceres, Juno, Minerva, and Ops; by many minor or local goddesses; and by the female personifications of Imperial virtues such as Pax and Victoria. 02 Hades is one of the three gods who defeated the Titans. Birds were classified into classes, such as birds which flew in groups, and those which flew alone, those making nasty sounds were considered an omen. Mars affair with the Roman goddess Venus is one of the most famous love affairs. The month of March is named after him. Their god appears as a pig with erect bristles and . Demeter is the goddess of fertility, harvest, agriculture, grains, bread and sacred law in Greek mythology. Ceres was the Roman equivalent to the gree Goddes Demetra and represented the productive power of the soil, agriculture and, in general prosperity. A Greek 5th-century red-figure hydria found in a cemetery of ancient Ainos (modern Enez, Turkey) depicts what is obviously a cultic scene, probably relative to the funerary rites performed for the burial of the deceased. He was very important in day-to-day life until the start of the Christian era in Egypt, after which mummification was outlawed entirely. His symbols were the eagle and lighting. Dating back thousands of years, the people of Europe left their marks on cave wallssome of these drawings were of bears. Here are some canine gods and goddesses who have been revered throughout time. In 46 B.C., after the defeat of rival Pompey in Greece and successful wars in Asia Minor and Egypt, Caesar held an elaborate triumphant parade in which forty trained elephants marched alongside him up the steps of the Capitol, lighted torches burning in their trunks. In the Metamorphoses of Apuleius,[3] the protagonist Lucius prays to the Hellenistic Egyptian goddess Isis as Regina Caeli, "Queen of Heaven", who is said to manifest also as Ceres, "the original nurturing parent"; Heavenly Venus (Venus Caelestis); the "sister of Phoebus", that is, Diana or Artemis as she is worshipped at Ephesus; or Proserpina as the triple goddess of the underworld. Another title of Apollo is Alexikakos which means averter of evil. 2. She is best-known for her connections with peace and handicrafts such as spinning and weaving. Vesta, a goddess of chastity usually conceived of as a virgin, was honored as Mater. Mercury was similar to the Greek god Hermes, and is known as the messenger god. Ceres was the goddess of grain. From the middle Imperial era, the reigning Empress becomes Mater castrorum et senatus et patriae, the symbolic Mother of military camps, the senate, and the fatherland. Athena was a very important figure who took part in many important Greek myths. Need to know: Mars wasnt always the God of war. Royal scepters and cornucopia are his main symbols. Below are examples of the god's animals as depicted in ancient Greek art and photos of his sacred plants:-1. Hephaestus Sacred Animal Donkey, guard dog, crane The donkey, guard dog, and crane were all considered sacred animals of Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship and fire. Giano is a roman God without a Greek equivalent. The sacrifice of a sheep or lamb, in the symbol of purity, was also part of the more traditional marriage ceremony known as Confarreatio used by the Patrician (noble) class. There is a sense that while Rome is a cosmopolitan city that is more than open to outside influence, nothing will ever be quite so grand as the myths on which the city was initially founded. Ancient Roman legend states that, Goddess Luperca, a she-wolf, nursed Romulus and Remus (twin siblings, children of Rhea Silvia and Mars). The animals must be one of two colors, black or white. In mythology, she and four of her siblings were eaten by her father, Saturn. 1. Gods in Rome were also multi-faceted. Name: Jupiter Realms: Light, storms, thunder, and lightning Family: Son of Saturn; husband of Juno; father of Minerva Fun Fact: His supreme title was Jupiter Optimus Maximus, meaning the "Best and Greatest" If the Roman gods ever competed in an Olympic-style competition, Jupiter . Hares, doves, turtle-doves, geese, sparrows, swallows, fish, shellfish and swines were Aphrodites sacred animals while roses, myrtles, anemones, apple trees, lettuces and pomegranates were her sacred plants. She possessed a sacred forest near Minturnae (Minturno) on the border of Latium and Campania[8] Additionally, she was one of the 3 gods of the Capitoline Triad, the primary state gods of Rome. It is said that nurturing these characteristics will help us go beyond our physical and bodily limitations to finally embrace the Absolute Truth. His identifying instrument is the thunderbolt. Jupiter Jupiter was chief among Roman gods and goddesses. Giano didnt have special temples as all doors and passageways were considered sacred to him but he did have an arch in Rome devoted to him and still visible: the arch of Janus. The lyre, which he played so skillfully to create magical tunes, was one of those symbols. Monkeys enjoy a high status here and are regarded as sacred. Caca The Roman goddess of the hearth and the sister of the fire-breathing giant Cacus. We are not here to give out veterinary advice, you should always consult your veterinarian. 9. For minor deities known for a single function or by a single name, see: A number of figures from Greek mythology who were not part of Roman religious practice appear in Latin mythological narratives and as poetic allusions; for these names, see: "Roman pantheon" redirects here. Hares, hawks, rams and tortoises were the sacred animals of Hermes while strawberry trees and croci were his sacred plants. The goddess overlooked the passing of the seasons and the alternating of winter and spring. Diana is the Roman goddess of wild animals and the hunt. The month of January, the beginning of the year, is still named after him. Their deity appeared as a pig with erect bristles who kept an eye on storms, chaos, deserts, and darkness. Neptune is the best and the greatest god of all time, He is the Roman god of water and sea and they are very similar to the Greek God Poseidon. Hecate is the Greek goddess of crossroads, entryways, and dogs, among other things. 10. Juno has a complex history and she held many epithets, each for a different aspect of human life. Her symbols include cornucopia, also known as the horn of plenty, sheaves of grain, bread, wheat and torches. He is the Roman god of Volcanoes and forging. The epithet Bonus, "the Good," is used in Imperial ideology with abstract deities such as Bona Fortuna ("Good Fortune"), Bona Mens ("Good Thinking" or "Sound Mind"), and Bona Spes ("Valid Hope," perhaps to be translated as "Optimism"). She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. Let's take a look at the list of the top 10 Roman gods to find out a little more about them: Contents show . These were also placed in six male-female pairs. His sacred animal was the wolf. He. Info source: 12 Most Sacred and Worshiped Animals Around the World. The earliest gods and goddesses are more spirits than anything else, rulers of small domains and households. Born from Saturn and Opus, sister and wife to Jupiter, Juno is an important Roman Goddess embodying feminine powers. Vulcan is another one of the 12 major Roman gods. Mercury is the Roman deity overlooking trade and commerce. Daughter of Jupiter, she is the sister of Apollo, and somewhat his female equivalent. Indian God. Roman farmers sacrificed one pig, one goat and one bull to Mars. Venus was the goddess of love, beauty. Venus / Aphrodite Goddess of Love and Beauty Goddess of Passion and Desire, Venus was the most beautiful Goddess. Venus is the Roman goddess of Love and the equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Her attribute was a snake or a bowl and her festival was celebrated on March 30. Venus is the Roman deity of love and all things beautiful. Today, as we continue our article series on Greek gods and their symbols, one of those trickster gods is our guest on Symbols and Meanings, Hermes, the messenger of gods in Greek mythology. Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia the Plead and the god of speed, messengers, trade, athletics, herds, shepherds, boundaries, roads, travellers and thieves in Greek mythology. Vulcan was the god of fire. Mars (mythology) - Sacred Animals Sacred Animals The two wild animals most sacred to Mars were the woodpecker and the wolf, which in the natural lore of the Romans were said always to inhabit the same foothills and woodlands. Hadess sacred plants are mint, white poplars, pomegranates, cypress trees and narcissus flowers. On May 15, the festival Mercuralia was celebrated annually in his honour. Augusta, the feminine form, is an honorific and title associated with the development and dissemination of Imperial cult as applied to Roman Empresses, whether living, deceased or deified as divae. While some of its gods and goddesses almost certainly date back to its earliest days, others were imported either whole cloth or were mixed together with other Roman gods to create a sense that Romes gods were the gods of the world. One of the most volatile and wrathful of the Olympian gods, Poseidons rule extended over all bodies of water. Guilds and Gods: Religious Profiles of Occupational collegia and the Problem of the dendrophori, Koen Verboven 12. He was a fearsome and powerful god and even his fellow gods feared him. The Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatonchires (Hekatonkheires, Hecatoncheires) were unable to escape and prosper. The first animals in ancient Roman history were the Sheep and the Wolf. Apollo entered into the Roman Pantheon directly from the Greek religion and maintained most of his Greek character. Her name, like Faunus's, is from the Latin faveo, "to befriend, support, or back up", from which we get our "favor"; an alternate . Present. . Dating back thousands of years are stories of wolf gods and goddesses. His Greek equivalent is the god Ares. One of the most significant and popular deities in ancient Greece, Poseidon is the god of the seas, storms, flood, earthquakes, droughts and horses in Greek mythology. Thanks for reading! Some archaic deities have Italic or Etruscan counterparts, as identified both by ancient sources and by modern scholars. Vocabulary: Oculus (the eye): Opening in the ceiling of a domed church/temple (light source) Betyl: A rock god (god of Emesa) Baalbek (Heliopolis): Named after god Baal; City of the sun o Greeks synchronized their idea of Helios with Baal o The temples in Baalbek took into account Greek and Roman styled architecture His main festival was called Saturnalia and happened between 17-19 December. Mars also symbolically represented military power as a way to secure peace. http://www.novaroma.org/nr/List_of_Roman_deities. German theoretical physicist Max Planck was told by his professor not to go into Physics as almost everything is discovered already. Goats, donkeys, lions, serpents, and wild bulls were also considered sacred to the god. The Hindusdo not consider thecowto be a god and thus they are not worshipped. Hares, doves, turtle-doves, geese, sparrows, swallows, fish, shellfish and swines were Aphrodite's sacred animals while roses, myrtles, anemones, apple trees, lettuces and pomegranates were her sacred plants. At the domestic level, the value of animals was governed by a utility as food or as beasts of burden. Juno also became the female guardian and the month of June is named after her. As Rome was an empire ultimately based on conquest and acquisition, Mars had a special place in Roman worship. The Confucian Perspective on Sacred Animals. In origin, he is the male equivalent to Diana and used to be associated with the sun and in particular with the dusk and dawn, metaphorically the beginning and the end. I hope you enjoyed this overview of the most important Roman gods and Goddesses and their symbols. Mercury is the Roman god of financial gain, communication, travellers, merchants, trickery and thieves. Cuckoo birds, peacocks (her mount was a chariot drawn by peacocks), cows and lions were sacred to Hera. Bird - Parrot Juno went to Flora, who in turn gave her a herb. Gods of Day and Weather, Jovis held the destructive power of lighting but also brought beneficial rain to agricultural land and would, therefore, be a powerful symbol of the force of nature. It proved to be very auspicious to barren women and those who were touched by those leather hides called Februa meant to bring fertility to those barren women. In some case, they maintained their original characteristics, while in others, they mixed their Greek traits with those of ancient Italic deities. This was to appease the god, and auger blessings for fruitful crops. Who is Hera in Greek Mythology? The first temple built in her name was the Venus Obsequens. His most powerful representation is by a baroque artist, Bernini, who represented him as a strong man accompanies by the three-headed dog Cerberus, in the moment of the taking of Proserpina, one of the most powerful myths associated with this god. She is closely related to the God Faunus; She is variously His wife, sister, or daughter.