10 Ancient Greek Myths About Trees

 

 

Woodlands and forests played a noticeable role in ancient Greek folklore and mythology, in these mystical whereabouts, full of hidden secrets; anything was possible, anything could happen.

In many ancient Greek myths and legends, trees have bridged the gap between heaven and Earth, connected different worlds to each other and were the root of wisdom and took on appearance of supernatural beings, such as nymphs, naiads and dryads.

 

Dryads and Hamadryads

 

 

Dryads, tree nymphs, always female, minor and mortal goddesses, were one form of supernatural tree spirits in Greek mythology.

 Dryads were shy beings, who led long lives, a hamadryad, lived inside the tree itself, whilst dryads, on the other hand, lived close to or near the tree but not within it.

The name, dryad, derives from the Greek word for oak tree, ( the principle tree of  ancient Greece, the ancient Greek word for oak, drys, was also the word for tree), in which they usually lived, but they could also be found dwelling within ash, pine, poplar, apple and laurel trees.

 

 

Hamadryads, were actually tied to trees and if the tree died, then they died, if the tree blossomed, they blossomed.

Dryads are thought to have had beneficial, supernatural powers and were frequently mentioned in poetry, plays, theater, and in music.

 They are respected and worshiped in pagan ritual to this day.

 

The role Trees played in Ancient Greek mythology

 

Metamorphosis is a typical theme in Greek mythology, gods as well as mortals, had the power to transform themselves into animals, birds, flowers, trees or humans and repeatedly used this power to trick and manipulate.

Below are ten trees, whose names derive from, or are associated with ten, magical, Greek myths.

 

1. The Almond Tree

 

 

Archaeologists have found almond trees on sites that date to 8000 B.C., especially in the region of Greece.

 

Agdistis the Hermaphrodite and the Almond Tree

 

 

The almond tree is said to have appeared on the spot where the hermaphrodite, Agdistis, was castrated.

The Greek gods were frightened of the hermaphrodite Agdistis (closely associated with the Phrygian goddess Cybele).

They viewed her androgyny as wild and uncontrollable and thought that their best bet was to get rid of her.

Dionysus, God of wine, slipped a sleeping draught in Agdistis’s water and after the potion had put Agdistis to sleep, Dionysus tied Agdistis’s foot to her own male genitalia.

 When Agdistis awoke and tried to stand up, Agdistis, castrated herself, the blood from her severed genitals fell to the earth, and from that spot there grew an almond tree.

 

 

Nana, Attis and the Almond Tree

 

One more myth concerning the almond tree, has Nana, a water nymph, daughter of the river-god, Sangarius, becoming pregnant with Attis (who grew up to be the husband of Agdistis (Cybele, mother goddess), when an almond dropped into her lap, or, in other versions, fell between her breasts.

However, once Nana’s baby boy, Attis, was born, she abandoned him and he was taken care of by a he-goat.

 

 

 Queen Phyllis of Thrace and the Almond Tree

 

In yet another myth about the almond tree, the Queen of Thrace, Phyllis, waited so long for her lover, Theseus’ son, Demophon, to return from his journey, she was convinced he had found another love and out of despair, she took her own life.

 Witnessing her sacrifice, the Gods took pity on Phyllis and turned her into an almond tree, eventually, Demophon, hears of Phyllis’ fate and full of woe embraces the tree, which instantly blossoms.

 

The almond

A symbol of Love and Hope

 

In Greece the almond tree is a symbol for love and eternal hope.

 Greeks also used almonds for interpreting a dream.

If you see almonds in your dreams it means upcoming travel and prosperity.

 

 

 Sugared almonds feature in Greek wedding traditions, representing the hope that married life brings more joy than sadness, five almonds, are wrapped together and given to a couple as insurance for long life, happiness, prosperity, well-being and fertility.

The almond tree heralds spring in Greece where it is the first of all trees to blossom, usually after the New Year.

 

2. The Apple Tree

 

 

Hera’s Golden Apple Tree

 

Hera, queen of the goddesses, upon her marriage to Zeus, received from Gaia, the earth mother, some branches which had golden apples growing on them, Hera, planted the branches in her gardens in the west, where they grew and produced magical, golden apples.

The apple trees were guarded by a fierce, never-sleeping, hundred-headed dragon named Ladon and were tended to by the Hesperides, the Daughters of Evening.

 

 

The Judgment of Paris

 

 One of Hera’s golden apples is said to have caused the Trojan Wars, this story, in Greek mythology is known as ‘the Judgment of Paris’: Eris, the goddess of discord, or strife, was angry not to be included among the gods asked to attend the wedding of Peleus and Thetis.

Nevertheless, Eris arrived at the wedding, bringing with her one of the golden apples from The Garden of Hesperides, which she threw amongst the most beautiful woman present at the wedding, saying, whomever claims the apple, is the most fairest of all.

Three goddesses claimed the apple: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, who asked Zeus to judge which of them was fairest.

Zeus, knowing better than to come between the three goddesses, gave Paris, a Trojan mortal, the honour of being the judge.

The beauty competion was held on Mount Ida, where the three beauties, first bathed in the spring of Ida before asking Paris to choose the fairest.

 

 

After failing to judge their beauty with their clothing on, the three goddesses stripped naked to reveal their assets to Paris.

As Paris gazed upon them, each goddess attempted, with her powers, to bribe him; Hera, offered to make him king of Europe and Asia, Athena, offered wisdom and skill in war, and Aphrodite, offered the world’s most beautiful woman, who was Helen of Sparta, wife of the Greek king Menelaus.

Paris chose Aphrodite’s gift and gave her the apple, taking the hand of Helen in return.

The Greeks’ expedition to retrieve Helen from Paris in Troy was the start of the Trojan War.

The phrase “apple of discord”, is still in use today and refers to something that provokes an argument.

 

Hercules and the Apple Tree

 

 

For the eleventh of his twelve labours, the hero, Hercules, had to steal some of these apples.

 After terrible trials and tribulation, while trying to locate the Hesperides, Hercules finally arrived at his destination and encountered Atlas, (A Titan condemned to hold up the sky for eternity).

Prometheus, (a Titan in Greek mythology, creator of mankind), had told Hercules, the only way to obtain the golden apples, was to persuade Atlas to bring him them.

Atlas hated holding up the sky and the earth, so when Hercules requested that Atlas brought him the apples, he was happy to give the weight of the world to Hercules to bear, while he went off to gather apples.

 

 

Returning to Hercules with the apples, Atlas informed Hercules, he’d had enough of holding up the sky, “you hold it for a while, and I’ll take the apples to Eurystheus”.

Hercules had been afraid of something like this happening, he had a plan ready, and said to Atlas “ Fair’s fair old chap, I’ll give it a go but before you leave, will you just place this padding on my shoulders, the weight’s killing them”

As soon as Atlas placed the apples on the ground and took the world off Hercules shoulders, in order to put the padding in place, as quick as flash, Hercules grabbed the apples and ran off to give them to Eurystheus, leaving Atlas, once again, with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 

Argonauts’ Encounter

 

 

The day after Hercules killed the dragon, Ladon, who guarded The Garden of Hesperides and stole the golden apples; the Argonauts came to the Garden of the Hesperides and asked the Hesperides to guide them to a source of water in order to quench their thirst.

The Hesperides guided them to a spring created by Heracles who, also thirsty while roaming the apple orchards, had struck a rock near Lake Triton, after which, ever after, water gushed out.

Kept in a garden in the West, the golden apples were said to cast their radiant glow across the sky as the Sun traveled below the horizon, creating the beautiful colors of the sunset.

 

3. The Cypress Tree

 

 

Cyparissus, Apollo and the Cypress tree

 

In Greek mythology, Cyparissus, a handsome youth from the island of Kea, grandson of Hercules, was one of Apollo’s many lovers.

One summer’s day, while out hunting in the woods, Cyparrisus, accidently killed his beloved, tamed stag, given to him by Apollo, with his hunting spear, as it lay sleeping in the sun.

In deep despair and wishing he were dead, Cyparissus, called upon the gods to help him by letting his tears flow eternally.

 

 

Taking pity on the poor boy, the gods transformed Cyparissus into a cypress tree, the tree of mourning, found in cemeteries throughout Greece.

The Cypress tree (evergreen), has been linked with death and mourning for over two thousand years, it is symbol of eternal death; once the cypress tree is cut down, it will never grow again.

 

 

The ancient Greeks believed the cypress tree was the first tree the dead would see when they arrived in the Underworld and used the wood from this tree to make coffins, as it was said, the wood from this tree, was not susceptible to insect attacks.

The ancients believed the tree had magical protective forces and was planted near graves to protect the dead from evil powers.

Mourners at funerals in ancient Greece, carried branches of the cypress tree to show their grief, in mythology, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, carried a branch from the tree to show she was in mourning when her lover, Adonis, died.

 

4. The Fig Tree

 

 

 ‘The fruit of this tree is not good for a person who is physically healthy to eat, since it affords him pleasure and gives him a swelled mind. He will seek honors and tend toward greed, and will have changeable morals, so that he does not remain in one state of mind. . . . It irritates his humors to evil, as if it were their enemy. . . . If a healthy person wishes to eat it, he should first soak it in wine or vinegar, so that its inconstancy is tempered. He should then eat it, but in moderation.’ (Physica, XIV)

Hildegard of Bingen

 

Sykeus and the fig tree

 

 

The fig tree got its name from Sykeus (Syko-σύκο]), who was a giant and the son of Gaia, the Earth goddess.

In the war of the Titans, Sykeus, whilst waging  war on the gods, was chased, by Zeus, to Cilicia, to escape the wrath of the king of the gods, Sykeus, hid with his mother, Gaia, the earth goddess and was transformed into the first fig tree.

 

Demeter and the Fig Tree

 

Another Greek myth states that the goddess Demeter introduced the “fruit of autumn” to humans.

Figs were also sacred to Dionysus, the god of of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy.

 

 

Apollo, the Crow and the Fig tree

 

In yet another myth surrounding the fig tree, the god Apollo sends a crow to collect water from a stream.

The crow finds a fig tree and, tempted by the fruit, waits for the figs to ripen.

He knows that he is late and will be punished, so the sneaky crow, catches a snake from the stream and collects the water.

 On returning to Apollo with the water the crow blames the snake for his lateness.

 Apollo, who can spot a lie a mile away, throws the crow, water and snake into the sky where they are said to have formed the star constellations Hydra, Crater and Corvus .

 

 

Sycophant

 

The word sycophant (informer, talebearer, slanderer), derives from the Greek word for fig; Syko.

In ancient Greece figs were a crucial part of the diet, Athenians were particularly partial to them and when it became illegal to export them, ate them all themselves, or exported illegally, often snitching on each other for breaking the law, which caused them to acquire the nickname, sycophants – fig-eaters.

(Plutarch states that the modern day term came about with the law forbidding the exportation of figs, anywhere outside of Athens, those who accused another of exporting figs were therefore called sycophants).

Another explanations for the origin of the word sycophant”, is that it refers to the vulgar gesture of showing the fig, a highly insulting hand gesture, made by making a fist, with the thumb inserted between the index and middle fingers.

 The gesture represents the female genitalia.

 

 

The life of wasps

 

Theophrastus, an ancient Greek botanist, had noticed tiny insects living inside figs; his story was one of the most astonishing of all biology stories.

It would take scientists more than 2,000 years to realize that every species of fig has its own species of wasp; likewise, each fig-wasp species can only lay its eggs in the flowers of its partner figs.

 

 

Fig flowers blossom inside the fig, and need a special process for pollination, they cannot rely on the wind or bees to spread their pollen and this is where the wasp comes in.

The process works both ways, the fig cannot survive without the fig wasp to spread its pollen and the fig wasp cannot live without the fig, this is where it lays its larva, this relationship is known as mutualism.

 

5. Laurel or Bay tree

 

 

Daphne Apollo and Eros and the Laurel tree

 

Daphne (Greek: Δάφνη, meaning laurel), a naid (water nymph), in Greek mythology, was the daughter of the river god Peneus, and as a hunter, Daphne, a virgin, had devoted her life to Artemis, Goddess of the hunt and has had Artemis, she too refused to marry.

The general idea of the Greek myth, about Daphne, goes like this: Eros (Cupid), put a curse on the god Apollo, who had insulted him, by shooting him with a golden arrow, compelling Apollo to fall instantly head over heels in love with Daphne.

To make matters worse, Eros then shot Daphne with an arrow made from lead, which assured that Daphne would never love Apollo.

 

 

In a state of lust, Apollo gave chase to the unwilling Daphne, who, seconds before falling into his clutches, called to her father for help, who turned her into a laurel tree, defeating Apollo’s intentions.

Some versions say Daphne, taking pity on Apollo, made him a laurel wreath (a circle made of laurel that is worn like a crown) from her leaves. Others state that Apollo made the laurel himself, taking leaves from the tree that was once Daphne.

Apollo developed a weakness for the laurel tree and in his honour, a wreath of laurel leaves were presented to the victors of the Pythian Games, held every four years in Delphi.

 It later became the norm to award laurel wreaths to victorious generals, athletes, poets and musicians, to be worn as a crown on their heads.

 

 

The term Laureate, as in Poet Laureate, derives from the custom of awarding winners with a laurel wreath crown.

 

Pythia

The Oracle of Delphi and her Laurel Leaves

 

Some say, the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pythia, also known as the Oracle of Delphi, to help her predict future happenings, chewed laurel leaves, and inhaled their smoke, resulting with her falling into a trance.

 

 

The laurel fumes (the ‘spirit of Apollo’) could have originated in a brazier located in an underground chamber and escaped through an opening in the temple’s floor.

 

6. The Oak Tree

 

 

Dodona

The Oracle of Zeus and the Oak Tree

 

In Greek mythology, the oak, is the sacred tree of Zeus, king of the gods.

The sacred oak tree of Zeus, was the centerpiece of Dodona, the oldest Hellenic oracle, which was dedicated to mother earth (Gaia), known there as Dione, the cult of Zeus and the sacred oak tree came later, between the19th and 14th centuries B.C.

Second only in esteem, to the Oracle at Delphi, Dodona is located in Epirus, North West Greece and according to Herodotus, ancient Greek historian, dates back to second millennium BC.

 

 

The sacred oak, tended by priests who slept on the ground by the tree, could not speak in a human tongue but priests, or priestesses, in order to divine a solution, for the people who traveled from miles around to consult the oracle, would interpret the rustling of the leaves, caused either by the wind, or by pigeons moving amongst the branches.

It has been said, the cooing of the pigeons was also interpreted, to decide what action to take, or that the sounds caused by bronze objects hanging from the tree, knocking against each other in the wind, were used to clarify the best way to deal with people’s everyday issues, such as, ‘how can I make sure my wife will give birth to a male child?, or, ‘what should I do to win this girl’s hand in marriage?’.

 

 

With the advent of Christianity, all pagan temples and sanctuaries were abolished, Theodosius the Great (Roman Emperor from 379 to 395), closed the temple at Dodona, and cut down its only one surviving oak tree.

 

Jason

 The Argonauts and the Oak Tree

 

An additional myth has Jason, of Argonauts fame, being advised by the gods to use a branch from the sacred oak tree to construct the keel of his ship, the Argo, this would, according to the gods, make Jason’s journey, from Iolcos to Colchis, to retrieve the Golden Fleece much safer, as the keel would have the same prophetic powers as the wood from which it was made.

 

7. The Olive Tree

 

 

Athena and the Olive Tree

 

A sacred olive tree, thought to be the one originally created by Athena, all those thousands of years ago, was still growing on the Acropolis, in the 2nd century AD, according to Pausanias (Greek traveller and geographer).

The story around origin of the tree is also the story of how the city of Athens got its name.

In ancient times, the most well-known city of Greece, and center of commerce, a beautiful city, atop a hill, was named Cecrops, after its ruler, a mythical creature, half man and half snake.

 

 

The twelve Gods, of Mount Olympus, thought the grass looked greener, over there in Cecrops, and got to thinking; “Why should we take no credit for this thriving city?”  “It should be named after one of us!”.

After some debate, two Gods were declared suitable of honouring this great city of Greece with their name, the goddess Athena, goddess of wisdom and Poseidon, God of the sea, but which one?

The gods devised a competion, each contender would present a gift to the ruler Cecrops and his citizens, the citizens would then choose which gift they preferred and the city would then, take the giver’s name.

 

 

First up was Poseidon, who struck the rock with his trident and out flowed water, symbolizing naval power.

 “Choose me” said Poseidon “Here is a never-ending flow of water, never again will you go thirsty, never again will you experience drought”

 But when the people tasted the water, it was salty; of course, Poseidon is God of the sea!

 Now it was Athena’s turn, in her hand she held a single seed, which she threw to the ground, where it instantly took root and became an olive tree, symbol of peace and prosperity.

“Choose me” said Athena “I shall plant these trees throughout the region, you shall never want for food, oil or firewood”

 The citizens weren’t stupid, they rose to their feet, chanting” Athena, Athena, we name our city Athena”, and the rest is history!

 

 

The Sacred Olive Tree

 

So, it is no surprise, why the olive tree has been sacrosanct for Greeks since ancient times, it is a symbol of peace, wisdom and triumph and so revered  was the olive tree to the Greeks, that olive groves were considered sacred ground, only virgins and chaste men were allowed to cultivate them.

Solon (638-558 BC), an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet, created a law prohibiting the cutting down of olive trees, the punishment was death!

 

 

Hercules, the hero of Greek mythology, was protected by a wreath of olive leaves, (Kotinos in Greek), and it  was a wreath made from olive leaves that was used to crown champions at the ancient Olympic games, leaves used for these wreaths were taken from a sacred olive tree near the temple of Zeus at Olympia.

The ancient Greek philosopher, Sophocles, said, of the olive tree; “The tree that feeds the children”

Homer, great Greek poet, author of “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey”, when referring to Greek olive oil, called it “Liquid gold”.

 

8. Plane Tree

 

 

Plane trees and Philosophy

 

Platanus, the Greek name for the plane tree, is derived from the Greek word platys, meaning wide or broad, describing the planes wide leaves and broad canopy; they are tall trees and can reach a height of 50 m (164 ft), or more.

Pliny, a Roman author, naturalist and philosopher, tells us there was one on the grounds of Plato’s Athenian Academy, the first university in the world,  which had roots that spread for more than 15m (50 feet).

 

 

Most Greek village squares, have one or more ancient plane trees, usually where the village water spring used to be, here, chairs and tables can be found, set out under the wide branches, taking advantage of the cool shade the tree provides, during the long, hot, Greek summers.

These Greek village plane trees are the focal point of the village, a meeting place, as was the habit thousands of years ago, when some of the greatest minds of ancient Athens, Homer, Hippocrates, Socrates and Plato all gathered in the shade and sought counsel of plane trees that were regarded as sacred and divine, here, in the presence of these magnificent trees, matters of the soul, love and truth, were pondered upon.

 

 

Plato, who thought the plane tree to be a tree of higher truth and integrity, had numerous plane trees planted around the Academy in Athens.

The medicinal properties of the bark, leaves and sap of the plane tree, were known and used from ancient times, for burns, bites, stings, frostbite and infections.

 

The Tree of Hippocrates

 

 

The Tree of Hippocrates a plane tree, to be found in the ‘Square of the Platane’,  in front of the Castle of Knights, in the centre of Kos town, is the tree, under which, according to Greek legend, Hippocrates of Kos, father of medicine, taught his pupils .

The current tree is only about 500 years old but could be a descendant of the original tree which stood there 2400 years ago, in Hippocrates’ time.

The tree of Hippocrates, which has a crown diameter of about 12 metres, said to be the largest for a plane tree in Europe, has, over the years become hollowed out and some of its some branches need the support of metal scaffolding.

Seeds or cuttings, from the tree of Hippocrates, have spread all over the world; one cutting, given as a gift, to the United States and the National Library of Medicine, from the island of Kos was planted on December 14, 1961 on the grounds surrounding the library.

Many other medical colleges, libraries or institutions have, or claim to have, trees cut or seeded from the original tree in Kos.

 

The Plane Tree at Gortyna –  Crete

 

 

The Rape of Europa

 

The plane tree is linked to the myth of Zeus’ abduction of Europa.

One fine day, Princess Europa, daughter of the King of Phoenecia, was playing with friends on the beach (thought to be somewhere in Lebanon), when Zeus, king of the Greek gods, spotted her; it was love at first sight.

Disguised as a bull, Zeus, made his way towards the girls, who, upon catching sight of the beautiful creature, ran to stroke and pet it, Europa, braver than her friends, climbed upon its back, Zeus, the bull, immediately took off across the sea for the Greek island of Crete.

On his arrival in Crete, Zeus headed for Gortyna, to the banks of the River Lethaios, where he knew, from his many affairs there, was the perfect spot to seduce Europa, in the cool shade,  under the wide, spreading boughs of a plane tree.

Once settled under the tree, Zeus revealed his true self to Europa, and had his way with her.

 

 

This resulted in Zeus and Europa having three sons; Minos, Radamanthys and Sarpedon, who became the kings of the three Minoan Palaces in Crete.

Legend has it, the plane tree, under which Zeus ravished Europa, a deciduous tree, has kept its leaves all through the winter ever since.

It’s also said, that, it was in the fields of Gortyn that the bull, given as a gift to Minos by Poseidon, had a fling with Queen Pasiphae producing the famous Minotaur which roamed the labyrinth of Crete.

 It was believed that the plane tree of Gortyna had magical properties, and that consuming its leaves would guarantee the birth of sons.

 

9. The Pomegranate Tree

 

 

The pomegranate, a rosy-hued fruit, bursting with plentiful, ruby-red, jewel- like seeds, is one of the oldest, cultivated fruits.

The ancient Greeks believed it to have been planted by The Goddess of love, Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology) on the island of Cyprus.

The pomegranate is a symbolic fruit, signifying beauty, love, marriage, fertility, birth, rebirth, hope and prosperity and eternity.

 

Persephone and the Pomegranate

 

 

A story of love and abduction, in Ancient Greek mythology, has Persephone, daughter of Demeter, Goddess of harvest and agriculture, kidnapped by Hades, God of the underworld, who fell in love with her at first sight and carried her off to his kingdom, the underworld.

Demeter, mad with sorrow, hunted everywhere for Persephone, going as far as to disguise herself as an old lady with a lighted torch in her hands.

Demeter, roamed the Earth for ninety days looking for her daughter Persephone.

Finally, the sun God Helios, took pity on Demeter, and told her that Hades had carried Persephone off to his underworld.

 

 

Demeter found Hades and they struck a bargain, Persephone would live four months on Earth, with the living, and eight months in the underworld. (The number of months spent in each place differs, depending on which story is read).

Before being set free from the underworld, Persephone was persuaded to eat six pomegranate seeds (In ancient mythology, to eat the fruit of one’s captor meant that one would have to return to that captor), to make sure she returned to the underworld when her time on Earth was up, that’s Hades hedging his bets!

 

 

The Lucky Pomegranate

 

One festival, in ancient Greece, after the harvest, a three day feast, is devoted to the Goddess Demeter, mother of Persephone, the third day was devoted to women, where pomegranate seeds were eaten to guarantee many children and much prosperity.

 

 

Even today, young brides in certain Greek villages, throw pomegranates through the door of their new house, with such a force, that the pomegranate bursts open, scattering the seeds.

 This ritual is said to ensure a happy marriage and the birth of many children.

In Greece, the pomegranate is a symbol for the New Year, and is used as a decoration at Christmas and New Year as a good luck charm.

 

10. The Walnut Tree

 

 

The Caryatids and the walnut tree

 

The walnut tree appears in Greek mythology in the story of Carya, daughter of the Laconian king Dion, with whom the god Dionysus fell in love with.

The Greek god of wine, Dionysus, in return for being received so graciously by King Dion of Laconia and his wife, Amphithea, and for their warm hospitality, bestowed the gift of prophecy upon their three daughters, Carya, Lyco and Orphe.

The gift had one restriction; the girls should not betray the gods nor search after forbidden love.

 

 

A little while later, Dionysus paid a second visit to King Dion and his family and fell madly in love with one of the daughters, Carya, and the two began an illicit affair.

On returning home, Dionysus missed his lover so much, he quickly returned, with the excuse the visit was in order to  consecrate a temple which King Dion had built for him.

But Carya’s sisters, Lyco and Orphe, became aware of the love affair between the two and to prevent it going any further and to protect their sister’s reputation, guarded Carya.

 By doing so they committed a violation of the restrictions imposed on their gift of prophecy.

 

 

Afraid of the wrath of Dionysus, who was wild with anger at the two sisters, who were the cause of his break-up with Carya, they ran away to Mount Taygetus, where they were turned into rocks.

Dionysus proceeded to transform Carya into a walnut tree, in Greek, καρυδιά-karydiá.

 

The temple of Artemis Caryatis

The Lady of the Nut-Tree

 

On hearing of the fate of Carya, Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, filled with sadness, informed King Dion of his daughter’s misfortune, ordered that a temple be built in her memory.

 

 

The temple was dedicated to Artemis Caryatis: the Lady of the Nut-Tree, whose priestesses were called the caryatidai, its columns, sculpted in wood, in the form of young women, were called caryatides or nymphs of the walnut tree, represented on the Athenian Acropolis as marble caryatids supporting the porch of the Erechtheum.

 

 

If you enjoyed reading this post, as much as I enjoyed writing it, you may be interested in my previous post, a variation on a theme, flowers in Greek mythology!

 

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