Muses

 

  • Aoide (song) one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Caliope (fair-voiced), considered the noblest of the Muses, presides over epic song, and was pictured with a wax tablet and pen.
  • Clio (she that extols) is the Muse of history, and has a scroll.
  • Erato (the lovely one), is the Muse of erotic poetry, with a smaller lyre.
  • Euterpe (she that gladdens) is the Muse of lyric song, and has a double flute.
  • Hypate one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Melete (meditation) one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Melpomene (she that sings) is the Muse of tragedy, and has a tragic mask, ivy wreath, and attributes of hero she is inspiring a song about e.g. the club for Herakles or sword for Perseus.
  • Meses one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Mneme (remembrance) one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Nete one of the original Muses, no symbols associated with her
  • Polymnia (rich in hymns), is the Muse of serious sacred songs, usually represented as veiled and pensive.
  • Terpsichore (she that rejoices in the dance), is the Muse of dancing, with a lyre.
  • Thalia (she that flourishes) is the Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry, with the comic mask, the ivy wreath, and the shepherd’s staff.
  • Urania (the heavenly), the Muse of astronomy, with the celestial globe.

 

Blessings

The Muses preside over the arts and sciences, giving inspiration to all artists, particularly poets, painters, dancers, musicians, philosophers, and astronomers.

God Of

  • Art and Inspiration

Primary Cult Centers

  • Aganippe
  • Castalia
  • Helicon
  • Sparta

Epithets

  • Pimplea – from Mount Pimplias

Symbols

See the description on the top of the page

Animals

None

Sacrifices

Frankincense

Festivals

  • Museia (Every 5 years) Celebrated in Thespiae

Ways to honor

Create! Learn a new artform. Go to museums, theaters, dance recitals, and other places of culture. Support artists. Give money to street musicians or painters. Turn a child onto art.

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Articles

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Ancient Hymns and Texts

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Modern Hymns and Devotions

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Primary Sources

  • Apollodorus’ Library 1.3.1-4, 3.5.8
  • Hesiod’s Theogony 36-115
  • Homer’s Iliad 2.594-600
  • Homer’s Odyssey 8.63-64, 8.479-481, 24.60-61
  • Homeric Hymn to Apollo and the Muses 25
  • Ovid’s Metamorphoses 5.273-340, 5.662-678
  • Pausanias’ Description of Greece 9.24.3, 9.29.1-6

Links

Modern Books

Muses