Expanding on the highly popular "Greek Gods & Goddesses" collection, I decided to explore more greek mythology and create six new designs inspired by The Olympian Gods.
THE HORAE (HORAI)
The goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time. They presided over the revolutions of the heavenly constellations by which the year was measured, while their three sisters, the Moirae (Moirae) spinned out the web of fate. The Horai also guarded the gates of Olympos and rallied the stars and constellations of heaven. The Horai were particularly honoured by farmers who planted and tended their crops in time with the rising and setting of the stars--measures of the passing seasons.
MEANING
Here I have created a badge that is inspired by the farming seasons, on the left there is a ploughed field indicating sowing the fields and on the right there is a harvested field. The symbolism of the sun has been used to indicate the passage of time, the three elements form an eye in the centre to show the vision of the goddesses.
THEMIS
The Titan goddess of divine law and order--the traditional rules of conduct first established by the gods. In this role, she was the divine voice (themistes) who first instructed mankind in the primal laws of justice and morality, such as the precepts of piety, the rules of hospitality, good governance, conduct of assembly, and pious offerings to the gods. In Greek, the word themis referred to divine law, those rules of conduct long established by custom. Themis was an early bride of Zeus and his first counsellor. She was often represented seated beside his throne advising him on the precepts of divine law and the rules of fate.
MEANING
Here I have incorporated the scales of justice, an eagle (usually associated with justice) and the eagle is blindfolded indicating a fairness in decisions. There is also a sword intertwined through the middle as a further connection to strength and justice.
IRIS
IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods. She was often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. For the coastal-dwelling Greeks, the rainbow's arc was most often seen spanning the distance between cloud and sea, and so the goddess was believed to replenish the rain-clouds with water from the sea. Her name contains a double meaning, being connected with both the Greek word iris "the rainbow" and eiris "messenger." Iris is depicted in ancient Greek vase painting as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a herald's rod (kerykeion), and sometimes a water-pitcher (oinochoe) in her hand. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera, sometimes serving nectar from her jug.
MEANING
This design uses the symbolism of the water pitchers running from one to side to the other and creating a rainbow inspired shape. The herald's rod has been incorporated in the middle in a simplified way.
THE MOUSAI (Muses)
The goddesses of music, song and dance, and the source of inspiration to poets. They were also goddesses of knowledge, who remembered all things that had come to pass. Later the Mousai were assigned specific artistic spheres. In ancient Greek vase painting the Mousai were depicted as beautiful young women with a variety of musical instruments.
MEANING
Here I have used the symbolism of harps and hands to give a sense of the creativity that the muses represented.
EROS
The mischievous god of love, a minion and constant companion of the goddess Aphrodite. The poet Hesiod first represents him as a primordial deity who emerges self-born at the beginning of time to spur procreation. (See the Protogenos Eros and Phanes for more information.) The same poet later describes two love-gods, Eros and Himeros (Desire), accompanying Aphrodite at the time of her birth from the sea-foam. Some classical writers interpreted this to mean the pair were born of the goddess immediately following her birth or else alongside her from the sea-foam. The scene was particular popular in ancient art where the godlings flutter about the goddess as she reclines inside a conch-shell.
n ancient vase painting Eros is depicted as either a handsome youth or child. His attributes were varied--from the usual bow and arrows, to the gifts of a lover such as a hare, sash, or flower. Sculptors preferred the image of the bow-armed boy, whereas mosaic artists favoured the figure of a winged putto (plump baby).
MEANING
In this logo design I have combined the symbols of love, hearts, wings and a bow and arrow.
MOIRAE
The three goddesses of fate who personified the inescapable destiny of man. They assigned to every person his or her fate or share in the scheme of things. Their name means "Parts." "Shares" or "Alottted Portions." The individuals were Klotho (Clotho), the "the Spinner," who spun the thread of life, Lakhesis (Lachesis), "the Apportioner of Lots", who measured it, and Atropos (or Aisa), "She who cannot be turned," who cut it short. Zeus Moiragetes, the god of fate, was their leader.
At the birth of a man, the Moirai spun out the thread of his future life, followed his steps, and directed the consequences of his actions according to the counsel of the gods. It was not an inflexible fate; Zeus, if he chose, had the power of saving even those who were already on the point of being seized by their fate. The Fates did not abruptly interfere in human affairs but availed themselves of intermediate causes, and determined the lot of mortals not absolutely, but only conditionally, even man himself, in his freedom was allowed to exercise a certain influence upon them.
As goddesses of birth, who spun the thread of life. As goddesses of fate they must necessarily have known the future, which at times they revealed. As goddesses of death.
MEANING
Here I have used the symbolism of crows which have connotations of death and life and a re a spiritual symbol in many lores. The thread of life can be seen weaving around the badge with a pair of scissors making the cut to symbolise death or a change of fate.
Thanks for viewing and remember to check out the previous collection "Greek Gods & Goddesses".