Symbolism and Worship in Ancient Crete
Origins and Discovery
Minoan snake goddess figurines, dating to around 1600 BCE, were discovered at the palace of Knossos. They depict women holding snakes, symbolizing power, protection, and the cycle of life.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
Snakes were associated with fertility, regeneration, and chthonic deities. The goddess likely represented household protection, agricultural abundance, and divine authority over life and death.
Ritual and Worship
The figurines suggest participation in domestic and ceremonial cults, where rituals involved offerings, dance, and invocations to maintain balance and prosperity.
Legacy
These figurines highlight the Minoans’ religious creativity, emphasizing feminine divinity and the symbolic relationship between humans, animals, and the supernatural.
