[26] But the importance of the Sabines in the early cultural formation of Rome is evidenced, for instance, by the bride abduction of the Sabine women by Romulus's men, and in the Sabine ethnicity of Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome, to whom are attributed many of Rome's religious and legal institutions. The laurel was largely used as a Rome symbol of victory and success. In some case, they maintained their original characteristics, while in others, they mixed their Greek traits with those of ancient Italic deities. In Hindu culture, Lord Dattatreya is depicted with four dogs, and these dogs represent the four Vedas (Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda) and Mother Earth. He is one of the six children of Kronos and Rhea along with Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Poseidon and Hades. Wildlife was sacred in ancient times. He is also known as the herald of gods and the personal messenger of his father, Zeus. This is a list of the main Roman Gods and Goddesses and their Greek equivalent. Roman god lists [ edit] Triads [ edit] Archaic Triad: Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus. We are not here to give out veterinary advice, you should always consult your veterinarian. Hecate The Greek Goddess. Some groups, such as the Camenae and Parcae, were thought of as a limited number of individual deities, even though the number of these might not be given consistently in all periods and all texts. In Roman religion, Ceres was the deity of agriculture, fertility and motherly relations. They performed a wide measure of functions and were of immense utility to the Romans. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Your daily dose of History. Ancient Greeks Continue reading the article, Todays post is about Zeus, one of the most important figures in Greek mythology, if not the most important. Some Roman literary sources accord the same title to Maia and other goddesses.[9]. He is famous for his three pronged Trident, and was said to have caused a massive flood in one Roman myth. [27] Varro, however, says that the altars to most of these gods were established at Rome by King Tatius as the result of a vow (votum).[28]. Donkeys, cranes and guard dogs were his sacred animals. Symbols of Apollo are the lyra (musical instrument), the laurel tree and the sun chariot. The ancient Rome animals were used to work on the pastures, for animal sacrifices, fortune telling, in marriage ceremonies, in public feasts, as part of the capital punishment, kept as pets, etc. Like all cultures, they also had a wealthy and vibrant mythological background. "Agraulos [daughter of Kekrops king of Athens] and Ares had a daughter Alkippe. Pain, Deception, Anger, Mourning, Lying, Oath, Vengeance, Self-indulgence, Quarreling, Forgetfullness, Sloth, Fear, Arrogance, Incest, Fighting, Ocean, Themis, Tartarus, and Pontus; and the Titans, Briareus, Gyges, Steropes, Atlas, Hyperion and Polus, Saturn, Ops, Moneta, Dione, and the three Furies ( Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone ). Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, similar to the Greek god Poseidon. Diana is the Roman goddess of wild animals and the hunt. He is the sibling of Jupiter and Pluto. The meaning of the epithet indiges (singular) has no scholarly consensus, and noven may mean "nine" (novem) rather than "new". In many societies, ancient and modern, religion has performed a major role in their development, and the Roman Empire was no different. Additionally, the Romans depict the goddess with a muscular build, adorning an armour and carrying a sword. Hadess sacred plants are mint, white poplars, pomegranates, cypress trees and narcissus flowers. Bulls and eagles were the sacred animals of Zeus while his sacred plants were oak and olive trees. She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. Emperor Augustus was devout to Apollo and had a temple to the God inside his house on the Palatine Hill. When Heracles returned with the cattle of Geryon, Cacus stole some of the animals and hid them in his cave. Hares, hawks, rams and tortoises were the sacred animals of Hermes while strawberry trees and croci were his sacred plants. This god is often depicted armed with an arrow which makes the victim fall in love. Vesta, a goddess of chastity usually conceived of as a virgin, was honored as Mater. Below are examples of the god's animals as depicted in ancient Greek art and photos of his sacred plants:-1. Let us start with the six children of Titans Kronos and Rhea, the first generation of Olympian gods. Her name, like Faunus's, is from the Latin faveo, "to befriend, support, or back up", from which we get our "favor"; an alternate . She was believed to be the protector of women and their marriages. Disclaimer: Articles on this website may contain affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 555 Angel Number Meaning And Symbolism: A Detailed Explanation, Mormon Symbols: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints Symbolism, Sideways Cross Meaning 3 Big Differences From Other Christian Crosses, Jewish Symbols And Their Meanings: The Symbols of Judaism Explained, Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, Ancient Egyptian Symbols And Their Meanings. The dog is also capable of great affection and compassion, which goes far beyond the understanding of humans. The Implications of Animal Sacrifice at Rural and Suburban Romano-Celtic Shrines, Tony King 10. The son of Zeus and Hera, Ares was the Greek god of war and courage in Greek mythology. Vesta was also the guardian of the Roman people. Quirinus was an ancient deity of the Sabinian people with characteristics similar to those of the Latin Mars. She is the wife of the Roman god Jupiter and the mother of Vulcan, Mars, Juventas and Bellona. She is best-known for her connections with peace and handicrafts such as spinning and weaving. Zeus is the the most important deity in Greek mythology and accordingly is known as the King of Gods. The month of March is named after him. Lares and Penates were deities protecting the house and hte househols, the lares specificaly protectors of the house as a place and the penates protector of the livelyhood of the family members. Gods of Day and Weather, Jovis held the destructive power of lighting but also brought beneficial rain to agricultural land and would, therefore, be a powerful symbol of the force of nature. 1. "[25], Varro makes various claims for Sabine origins throughout his works, some more plausible than others, and his list should not be taken at face value. The reverence of worshipping sacred animals, can be tied back to a relation with a certain deity. The ancient Romans had an intrinsic love for naturalistic sadism due to which they employed wild beasts for the giving capital punishments to the public. My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. But above all other ancient Roman animals it was the elephant which became a symbol of Roman power and the success of its Emperors. Neptune is the deity of freshwater and the sea. The Hindu mythology even has a deity called Ganesha- the Elephant God. A very interesting one is at the lower levels of the Basilica of San Clemente, which is also one of the most interesting churches in Rome. Consus is an Ancient Rome God of agriculture, traditionally worshipped in the Circus Maximus with races of donkeys. Name: Jupiter Realms: Light, storms, thunder, and lightning Family: Son of Saturn; husband of Juno; father of Minerva Fun Fact: His supreme title was Jupiter Optimus Maximus, meaning the "Best and Greatest" If the Roman gods ever competed in an Olympic-style competition, Jupiter . Snakes/serpents and pigs are sacred animals of Demeter while her sacred plants are wheat, barley, mint and poppy. In describing the lectisternium of the Twelve Great gods in 217 BC, the Augustan historian Livy places the deities in gender-balanced pairs:[13], Divine male-female complements such as these, as well as the anthropomorphic influence of Greek mythology, contributed to a tendency in Latin literature to represent the gods as "married" couples or (as in the case of Venus and Mars) lovers. [4], Grammatically, the form Caelestis can also be a masculine word, but the equivalent function for a male deity is usually expressed through syncretization with Caelus, as in Caelus Aeternus Iuppiter, "Jupiter the Eternal Sky. His sacred animals include the donkey . This is widely regarded as the Monkey Temple. Here are some canine gods and goddesses who have been revered throughout time. He went on to originate Quantum theory & won a Nobel Prize. Apollo is the only god in the classical pantheon to share the same name in both Greek and Roman traditions. Other Athena symbols include spears, helmets, armor, snakes, owls and olive trees. The temple of Karnak in Egypt has ram-shaped sphinxes. There are numerous mythical stories about the Wolf, one of them stating that the She-Wolf or the Lupa took in the human baby twins Romulus and Remus as her own and fed them with milk. Delve into the fascinating tales of how and why certain animals are held in such high regard by some cultures. The Colosseum at night: all you need to Rome Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale): all you need God of light, God of storms and weather events, Roman God of war and agricultural prosperity, Myrtle, rose, apple tree, poppy flower. I hope you enjoyed this overview of the most important Roman gods and Goddesses and their symbols. Hephaestus Sacred Animal Donkey, guard dog, crane The donkey, guard dog, and crane were all considered sacred animals of Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship and fire. The legend as narrated by Virgil tells us that Aeneas, son of Venus and Anchises, left Troy and settled in Rome. [2], From the middle Imperial period, the title Caelestis, "Heavenly" or "Celestial" is attached to several goddesses embodying aspects of a single, supreme Heavenly Goddess. Hera, the wife of Zeus, is the other half of the archetypal divine couple in the Greek mythology. The goddess Juno is depicted in many forms but Junos most popular form is wearing a warlike attire with a goatskin coat. Vestas temple had a sacred fire inside and the Vestal Virgins tended to it and saw to it that it never went out. In origin, he is the male equivalent to Diana and used to be associated with the sun and in particular with the dusk and dawn, metaphorically the beginning and the end. God of War. As she is one of the 12 major Roman gods, she has numerous epithets which refer to her various roles and aspects. They were also used in wars. Mars is portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, wearing a crested helmet and bearing a shield. 2) Jupiter- The Roman god of the sky Jupiter, also known as Jove is the Roman deity of the sky. In Greek and Roman mythology, he was represented as a muscular man married to his wife Juno. Fennels were sacred plants to him as their stalks were used to carry fire from one place to another. The image left shows the wolf looking after the twins by the Tiber river bank. Her sacred plants were lotus flowers, water lilies, willow trees and pomegranates. One of the lesser gods of the twelve and with no flamen (dedicated priests), he was nonetheless popular. Aress sacred animals were dogs and serpents while there is no clear information as to what was considered his sacred plant. Both a virgin goddess and an earth goddess, she was identified with the Greek Artemis. Early examples included Terra Mater (Mother Earth) and the Mater Larum (Mother of the Lares). In this illustration, Mars is depicted on horseback. Vesta is the protector of home fires of Rome. There are several Roman myths about Mars. He was very important in day-to-day life until the start of the Christian era in Egypt, after which mummification was outlawed entirely. Mercury was similar to the Greek god Hermes, and is known as the messenger god. Up next. She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. A piggy enjoying a swim Neptune is the Roman God of the sea, supreme rules of the world of water just like Jupiter of the Sky and Pluto of the underworld. She is also the protector of women during labour. Aegina. A cow is held in high regard and is constituted as being one of the most sacred animals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. Goddess of nature, fertility, childbirth, wildwood, moon, forests, animals, mountains, woods, and women. The simple sanctuary of Romulus was replaced by a proper temple in 294 BCE [22] The Fall Of Uranus Fed up and overcome by grief, Gaia pleaded with her children to take action. He was often represented as a young man with winged shoes symbolizing speed. The son of Zeus and Hera, Ares is the god of courage, war, civil order and battlelust in Greek mythology. From the beginning Roman religion was polytheistic. It is believed that the earliest traditional feasts of Rome, famously known as the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of the God Pan, who himself was half man and half goat. In another, he was the father of Romulus and Remus by Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin. Diana is the twin sister of Apollo. Venus was married to the Roman god Vulcan. Her sacred plant is the olive tree. Animal worship (or zoolatry) is an umbrella term designating religious or ritual practices involving animals.This includes the worship of animal deities or animal sacrifice.An animal 'cult' is formed when a species is taken to represent a religious figure (Teeter et al., 2002, p. 355).Animal cults can be classified according to their formal features or by their symbolic content (Thomas 1911, p . In both Greek and Roman religions, he has the same symbolic value. Dolphins, pearls, doves, myrtles, scallop shells, roses, sparrows, mirrors, girdles and swans were Aprohdites symbols. Cattle, and only oxen at that, are offered to Jupiter. Their deity appeared as a pig with erect bristles who kept an eye on storms, chaos, deserts, and darkness. Apollo had many symbols as he was the god of many different things. In ancient times, before Rome became a military power, Mars was an agricultural God, overlooking the arrival of spring and the victory of life forces over the dire winter. The most famous of his sacred animals in myth was the Cretan Bull, sire of the Minotaur. These the ancient author Ovid and other ancient writers, who are a first hand source of information. In 46 B.C., after the defeat of rival Pompey in Greece and successful wars in Asia Minor and Egypt, Caesar held an elaborate triumphant parade in which forty trained elephants marched alongside him up the steps of the Capitol, lighted torches burning in their trunks. Pluto is the God of the underworld, the main God of death, equivalent in power to Jupiter and Neptune. Even in invocations, which generally required precise naming, the Romans sometimes spoke of gods as groups or collectives rather than naming them as individuals. Dogs were kept as pets, as guards, and even as hunting companions. Jupiter was the God of the sky and his name seems to come from the ancient Indian word Djaus=light so that his name means Father of Light. He belonged to a very ancient state of the Roman religion called the Varro. In this post we will provide you with vital information about the Olympian goddess including her family tree while also giving you the full list of Hestia symbols, her sacred animals and plants. Hecate is the Greek goddess of crossroads, entryways, and dogs, among other things. Sacred Animals in Ancient Roman Mythology by Mary Van Dyke. The goddess of the Earth, nature, mountains, and wild animals Diana The Goddess of Hunting Faunus The god of the forest, fields, and plains Fauna Goddess of Animals Flora Goddess of Flowers and Spring Fortuna Fortuna was the Goddess of Fortune Janus the God of Doors and beginnings and endings Juno The Goddess of Marriage Jupiter (Jove) Other symbols representing Hades are mostly his sacred animals and plants. Sacred Site - A cave on the eastern side of the Acropolis. Vesta is the Roman deity of hearth and home. Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. He. Being one of the most important figures in ancient Greek religion, despite not always being at the forefront of the Greek pantheon, Demeter was the Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, grains, sacred law, Continue reading the article, If you are a real fan of mythology, you already know that some of the most interesting and entertaining myths involve the trickster gods. Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals and Plants Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, strategy, craft and trade. He was the king of gods and the chief deity of the ancient Roman Empire before Christianity became dominant. This page was last modified on 2 October 2013, at 15:59. Her symbols include cornucopia, also known as the horn of plenty, sheaves of grain, bread, wheat and torches. Ares Symbol - Sacred Animals, Plants and Symbols of Ares. A Greek 5th-century red-figure hydria found in a cemetery of ancient Ainos (modern Enez, Turkey) depicts what is obviously a cultic scene, probably relative to the funerary rites performed for the burial of the deceased. It includes the 12 Greek Olympian Gods and Goddesses and other deities significant in Roman Religion. In todays post, we will be delving into Greek gods and goddesses, the symbols that represent them and the animals and plants that were sacred to them and their believers. Dogs, mans best friend, is also worshiped during the Kukur Tihar festival in few parts of Nepal. Poseidon's sacred plants were the pine tree and wild celery which were used to crown victors at the god's Isthmian Games. Subsequently out emerged Minerva, a full-size adult clad in armour. Jupiter was chief among Roman gods and goddesses. Vulcano and his Greek equivalent Aephestus was the roman god of fire, overlooking metallurgic art and therefore weaponry. Romes major pantheon is remarkably stable. 2021 museumfacts.co.uk | All rights reserved. Here is everything you should know about the Greek goddess of women, her family, symbols, sacred animals, and plants. Dating back thousands of years are stories of wolf gods and goddesses. "The All-Mother". The ancient Romans also used animals for the purposes of capital punishments. Let us get right into it. The sacred animals to him were the bear, wolf and woodpecker. W.H. In an article published by Kenyon.edu, the educational institution published a response to scholar Rodney Taylors paper on the relation of animals to humans in a conceptualized manner in the ethico-political and socio-political spheres. During Nag Panchami, Hindus worship the serpent deities and offer their prayers and warm milk. Roman God Agni. Vesta is commonly associated with the donkey and fire. The Roman gods had majestic personas and great powers. Ravens, wolves, dolphins and swans were known as his sacred animals while larkspurs, cypress trees and laurels were Apollos sacred plants. Ancient Roman legend states that, Goddess Luperca, a she-wolf, nursed Romulus and Remus (twin siblings, children of Rhea Silvia and Mars). Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. Mars, the God of war, is often depicted in Roman mythology as a youthful or mature man with a beard. Female animals should be offered to female deities, and male animals to male gods. If you liked our post on Zeus' symbols, sacred animals and plants, you will probably enjoy reading our extensive list of Greek god symbols here. The epithet Bonus, "the Good," is used in Imperial ideology with abstract deities such as Bona Fortuna ("Good Fortune"), Bona Mens ("Good Thinking" or "Sound Mind"), and Bona Spes ("Valid Hope," perhaps to be translated as "Optimism"). Juno Juno was known as the Roman protector of women and childbirth. As the city and its surrounding kingdom developed, so too did its gods soon, the immortal gods and goddesses would play important roles in every aspect of life, ruling realms both great and small while influencing the lives of all around them. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy. Roman couples often had themselves painted as the passionate divine couple Mars and Venus. Sacred Animals in Ancient Egypt The Ancient Egyptians held animals in the highest regard. Not to mention, the ancient Greeks dominated the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas for a long time. He is usually associated with his Greek equivalent Hermes however, the two deities had little in common, roman Mercury being more associate with commerce than with the role of messenger of the gods. [6], Mater ("Mother") was an honorific that respected a goddess's maternal authority and functions, and not necessarily "motherhood" per se. His consort is the goddess of seawater Salacia. She was the oldest of Saturn's six children. Within the home and garden, the range of animals kept as pets was almost boundless, including dogs, ducks, geese, caged birds, rabbits, hares, tortoises, goats, quail and mice. They are symbolic of power and courage and are believed to ward off evil and bring about good luck. Animal worship, or Zoolatry for short, refers to a set of rituals or animal sacrifices performed by certain cultures. The 12 major Romans gods were called the Dii Consentes and their statues stood in the Roman Forum. As war was kind of a big thing for the Romans, they logically created a party to launch the date (around mid-March). 02 Hades is one of the three gods who defeated the Titans. Jupiter (Iuppiter in Latin) was the God above all other Gods in Rome. Mars also symbolically represented military power as a way to secure peace. This is one of the most famous sculptures in Rome and it is now kept in the Borghese Gallery. He constructed tools and weapons for the other Roman deities, and the fires from his forge were said to be the force behind violent volcanic eruptions. She is known as the Queen of Gods, and the goddess of women, marriage, skies, stars and childbirth. It also became a near ubiquitous title or honour for various minor local deities, including the Lares Augusti of local communities, and obscure provincial deities such as the North African Marazgu Augustus. Zeus is the god of the sky, lightning/thunder, weather, fate and kings in Greek mythology. Varro[18] gives a list of twenty principal gods of Roman religion: Varro, who was himself of Sabine origin, gives a list of Sabine gods who were adopted by the Romans[19]: Elsewhere, Varro claims Sol Indiges who had a sacred grove at Lavinium as Sabine but at the same time equates him with Apollo. Like his counterpart Zeus in Greek mythology, he possesses the power of lightning and thunder. The symbol of the Wolf and the suckling babies is considered of great significance for ancient Roman society. Frigga, the primary goddess of wisdom, strategy, war, motherhood, and queens. Mercury was the youngest son of Jupiter, and his mother was Maia. Let us get right into it then. The Romans had gods for everything imaginable. Juno was associated with all aspects of a womans life, most particularly marriage. Mercury is the Roman deity overlooking trade and commerce. In fact, it was believed that his mount was a chariot drawn by hippocampi, horses with fish tails that can ride on the sea. We will be examining symbols of Zeus including his sacred animals and plants as well as providing information about his characteristics, family tree, wives and children. He is one of the most Hellenic Roman gods, as he shares the same name as his Greek counterpart. The month March (Martius) is named after him (wars were often started or renewed in spring). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals and Plants, Being the worlds smallest bird measuring only a few inches, , The labrys, or double-headed axe, is one of the earliest , The universe of culture has endless spaces with the most , Not many civilizations were as mathematically advanced as the Aztec , Angel numbers are a sequence of repeating digits, and they , The Mormon religion was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, , The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redemptive effects of , Carrying on our series on religious symbols, we will be . Jupiter - God of the Sky Juno - Queen of the Gods Saturn - God of Time Neptune - God of the Seas Pluto - God of the Underworld Venus - God of Love and Beauty Minerva - Goddess of Wisdom Mars - God of War Mercury - Messenger of the Gods Apollo - God of the Sun Diana - Goddess of the Hunt A combination of the two that is the eagle carrying a thunderbolt was often seen on Roman coins. Goddess of beauty and love, Venus is a powerful symbol of all-natural forces of generation and birth. Copyright 2023 I Love Veterinary | It is not just a job, it is LOVE! In Hinduism, monkeys are regarded as culturally significant. Present. Heket was one of the first eight gods in one version of the Ancient Egyptian creation . It is believed that deities manifest themselves in the form of sacred animals, either by reincarnation or an epiphany. Fun fact! Sharing information and raising discussions in the veterinary community. [14] The Roman emperor Julius Caesar also claimed her as an ancestor. In one, Hera bore him, without Zeus, at the touch of a magic herb given her by Flora. Juno and Jovis were a celestial couple and the solidity of their relationship is considered essential for the balancing of world forces and therefore prosperity. Ancient Roman god of the act of sowing and, therefore, of agriculture. As the empire expanded, the Romans refrained from imposing their own . His symbols were the eagle and lighting. He is depicted holding the trident in most of the artworks created throughout history. According to Korean folklore, the majestic tiger is regarded as the guardian of the West and is also a divine spirit. Apollo was the Roman god of the Sun and agriculture. Ancient Rome Animals. Augusta, the feminine form, is an honorific and title associated with the development and dissemination of Imperial cult as applied to Roman Empresses, whether living, deceased or deified as divae. Brides offered her gifts before marriage. The month of March and the planet Mars are named after him. On May 15, the festival Mercuralia was celebrated annually in his honour. Additionally, she bestowed upon the gift of agriculture on humans. Additionally, she was one of the 3 gods of the Capitoline Triad, the primary state gods of Rome. Indian God. Project dedicated to support and help to improve Veterinary Medicine. Greek gods sacred animals. Gods were called Pater ("Father") to signify their preeminence and paternal care, and the filial respect owed to them. Venus is the Roman deity of love and all things beautiful. Protection, prosperity, ends family fueds. Various symbols define Ancient Egypt's spectacular place in history. Additionally, he is the Roman god who leads the deceased souls of humans to the afterlife. The Vestals had the role to keep the sacred fire of the deity burning perpetually, the extinguishing of which would have brought the end of the Roman world. Animal - Snake. Capitoline Triad: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva. The people of ancient Egypt worship the cats ability to control snakes and vermin made them a symbol of poise and grace. Egyptians believed cats were mystical animals, with the capability of bringing good luck to the individuals who housed them. Athena was a very important figure who took part in many important Greek myths. The Romans believed that Jupiter favoured them most and granted them supremacy. Shamans of nearly every culture have revered the wolf for its swiftness, instinctual abilities and wild freedom. Artemis, the sister of Apollo and daughter of Zeus and Leto, is the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, forests, hills, the wilderness, the Moon, chastity, children and archery in Greek mythology. There is a sense that while Rome is a cosmopolitan city that is more than open to outside influence, nothing will ever be quite so grand as the myths on which the city was initially founded. Screech owls are known to be his main sacred animals with serpents, sheep, cattle and horses being others. Artemis was also considered to be the protector of young girls until they got Continue reading the article, The Olympian goddess of wisdom and war, Athena is the most beloved patroness of the city of Athens. The lyre, which he played so skillfully to create magical tunes, was one of those symbols. Additionally, he fended off diseases that might affect animals, earning him the name Nomios, meaning herdsman. . Apollo is the Roman Sun God, worshipped as Febo, son of Jupiter and Lato. The animal sacred to Ares, the god of war, was primarily the dog. The goat has also been worshipped in Greek and Egyptian mythology. This explains why, despite the many stories connected to marital trouble between the two, peace between the two always ended up prevailing. Hippocamp (half-horse . Mercury is the messenger of the Roman deities. Although some of their gods are adaptations of the Greek gods, some are initially the god of two-faced doors and gates, Janus. Neptune - God of the Sea. Demeter is the goddess of fertility, harvest, agriculture, grains, bread and sacred law in Greek mythology. When the illegitimate Minerva burst out of Jupiters head, Juno sought to do the same thing. Protector of all arts and especially of metallic work, he was a positive God of workmanship and business. Called dies pater, or "shining father," he is the protector of laws and the state, and the . He is sometimes depicted with a crown/wreath made of olive branches in artworks. Her sacred animal was the donkey, which was the animal used by bakers to turn mill stones in order to make flour. Bird - Parrot Today, as we continue our article series on Greek gods and their symbols, one of those trickster gods is our guest on Symbols and Meanings, Hermes, the messenger of gods in Greek mythology.