Deities of Sexuality and Fertility - Essay Example

Aphrodite, Demeter & Persephone: Deities of Sexuality and Fertility Aphrodite, Demeter & Persephone: Deities of Sexuality and Fertility September 28, 2009Aphrodite, Demeter & Persephone: Deities of Sexuality and FertilityAmong the ancient deities of sexuality and fertility, Aphrodite, Demeter and Persephone hold special significance. All the three characters are from the Homeric version of the Greek Mythology. These characters represent different ethos and they have been depicted in different mannerisms to evoke different symbolisms.

The paper examines the manner in which these three goddesses have been portrayed, the deity's connection with sexuality and fertility and certain themes that are important in their stories.Aphrodite or Venus as she was called by the Romans has been portrayed as the goddess of sexuality who is meant to increase the libido. She was meant to titillate and goad men to fight each other over her beauty. A certain element of carnal and sexual lust is associated with her and her sculpture shows her bare-chested, playing and fondling her breasts.

Among her stories and practices was the prostitution ritual practiced in her temples. In the Roman temple on Acrocorinth, intercourse with the high priestess, after paying the required offerings, was the accepted method of worshipping Aphrodite (Walter, 1985). Demeter on the other hand nourished earth and called the earth mother or the Goddess of life, fertility and grain. She is portrayed as demure, mother like figure, fully clothed and with a staff in hand. Demeter has given corn and barley to mankind and the skill to till the land and make ti fertile.

There is no symbolism of carnality or sexuality but only that of fertility and give rise to life. She has been portrayed with images of harvest, flowers and of life. She was the enemy of Aethon the famine god and put him in the stomach of Erysichthon. Demeter however was not demure but had a number of husbands such as Zeus from whom she obtained Persephone; Poseidon from whom she got Despoina and Arion and many others (Walter, 1985).Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus and was the consort of Hades.

She was called as the Queen of the Underworld and was regarded as the embodiment of the earths fertility. She is portrayed as fully clothed with a sheaf of grain and as a protector of marriage. She was abducted by Hades and Demeter, grieved over her lost child, forcing humankind into starvation since nothing was allowed to grow by Demeter. Zeus however prevailed and forced Hades to return Persephone. It is said that Persephone returns to the underworld for a few months every year and this is when the earth turns barren (Walter, 1985).

The paper has thus far compared the portrayal and depiction of the three goddesses. Aphrodite is mainly a goddess who was meant to satisfy the lust and gratification of people and the main symbolism is that of lust. Demeter and Persephone have been portrayed as demure goddesses, fully robed and very respectable. Thus, Aphrodite was a goddess of sexuality while Demeter and Persephone were goddess of fertility and life. While life and fertility was certainly based on sexuality, the intent in the mythology was to make a clear difference between the two.

The ancient Greeks depended on harvests and agriculture for their survival, as did the other civilizations across the world. Agriculture and harvests along with life were associated with fertility, mother earth and thus represented by Demeter and Persephone. Carnal lust was related to sexuality and was identified by Aphrodite. The paper has thus examined the roles and symbolism associated with the three goddess. ReferencesWalter. Burkert., 1985. Greek Religion. Harvard University Press.