MISTRESS OF WILD ANIMALS


Meaning of MISTRESS OF WILD ANIMALS in English

[Greek] Mistress of the Wild Animals (Potnia theron) or Queen of the Wild Bees, appears under many names. Her Minoan name was Britomartis or Sweet Virgin and she was related to Diktynna. The name Potnia is known from the Linear script B tablets and was being used for the main Mycenaean female deity. For the iconographical type goddess surrounded by the animals, who was applied into Archaic Greek art, was used usually the name Potnia theron, but sometimes Artemis too. The Minoan seals relief are showing the Mistress of Animals in frontal position with raised hands, turning the lower part of her body, dressed with a Minoan skirt. She is flanked by the beasts, a double axe and snakes, which are giving the evidence about her divinity. Her close relation with nature and domination over the animals is illustrated on the relief seal scene, on which one of the griffins, accompanying the deity, is suckling her breast. The other representation on the golden ring is showing the deity with a gallopi...

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Encyclopedia Mythica English dictionary.      Английский энциклопедический словарь греческой мифологии.