Greek Mythology: Demeter And The Eleusinian Mysteries

Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries

Throughout Greek culture there have been a variety of myths, rituals,celebrations and hymns that are used to express greek perceptions. These forms of worship primarily derive from mythological stories of greek gods and goddesses. These stories express lessons such as betrayal, love, birth, incest and hatred. A very important figure in Greek mythology would be the Goddess Demeter. Demeter remains an important symbol in greek mythology due to her many encounters with other gods, her many children and their inclusion within greek worship and historical events. Demeter is present in stories of many other mythological occurrences yet her most exigent myth would be her search for Persephone.

Demeter being born

His most memorable myth is his encounter with the oceanic dolphins saving his life. Arion’s story begins with a singing contest that is being held in Sicily. Arion sails with a crew of men to from Corinth to Sicily to compete in the competition in hopes of winning fortune and fame. When in Sicily he gains the title and prize of the winner. On his way back home his crew of men become corrupt and selfish and begin to steal from Arion. This crew of men chooses that the safest way to get away with the fraud would be to kill Arion so that nobody could come back to punish them. They promise Arion that he may sing one last song before his death. Ultimately the crew of men push him overboard after his song in attempt to drown Arion to death. Coincidentally Arions last song summoned the dolphins in which swam him back to the shore of

A Thesmophoria tradition is to throw young piglets into the rivers or burn them alive. Thesmophoria was held in over fifty cities around Greece. Thesmophoria was held for five days in fall days in hope for good vegetation to spring during winter days. Thesmophoria was also thought to be the original Thanksgiving where much controversy began believing that the Greeks are the primary source of the holiday that is so greatly celebrated today across the world. As well as Thesmophoria other religions sparked from the rape of Persephone such as the Eleusinian Mysteries. This religions was primarily worshipped in places such as Celeus and Eleusis. This form of worship was a secretive religion to honor Demeter and Persephone. It was initiated by Orpheus, While this religion includes everyone membership is required. To become a member you have to do preparatory sacrifices and rituals to be excepted. The celebrations of the Eleusinian Mysteries was held for nine days and included carrying torches and fasting. Within lesser mysteries the preliminary preparations are held once a year before actual celebrations are held. Very little of the event itself remains today due to its sworn