Minoan religion is considered to have been closely related to Near Eastern ancient religions, and its central deity is generally agreed to have been a goddess, although a number of deities are now generally thought to have been worshipped.

2022年7月18日 · According to numerous scholars, the primary deity in the Minoan religion was a multifaceted mother goddess who was solar in nature. Usually, “she” was depicted alongside animals (both mythical and native to the land), a male consort, and/or priestesses.

Explore the enigmatic world of Minoan deities, delving into the sacred realms of the Great Mother and Potidas, and their profound impact on ancient Cretan culture.

It was established by Evans that the leading divine figure of the Minoan pantheon was a Mother Goddess and that she reflected the matriarchal stage of mankind. The role of the mother goddess is re-assessed here in the light of Near Eastern theocracies.

The Snake Goddess was one of the Minoan divinities associated closely with the snake cult. She is called also Household Goddess due to her attribute of the snake, which is connected with the welfare of the Minoan household.

In 1903, Sir Arthur Evans, excavating at the palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, discovered fragments of faience statuettes depicting female figures holding snakes. Two of these statuettes were extensively restored and identified by Evans as a “Mother Goddess” and a “Priestess.”

2024年12月3日 · The discovery of the Snake Goddess made researchers focus on the mysterious religion of Minoan Crete and its connection of later Greek myths

2024年8月17日 · The Mother Goddess: Queen of the Beasts Mother Goddess of Minoan Crete at Heraklion Archaeological Musem. Credits: @bigaspere. While the Greeks had their Olympian pantheon, the Minoans seemed to focus on a central female deity often referred to as the “Mother Goddess” or “Mistress of the Animals.”

2023年11月3日 · Was the Minoan Snake Goddess an all-powerful mother goddess, or was she a priestess performing ritual acts? Nonetheless, the figurines, discovered in virtually every Minoan palace site, highlight her ubiquity and importance in Minoan society.

One of the prime pieces of evidence in support of the view that women dominated Minoan culture is the "Snake Goddess." The grounds for this view were laid by Arthur Evans himself.