Knossos Bee Goddess

“Knossos Bee Goddess” is inspired by a carved onyx gem from Knossos c. 1500BC.

The image of the bee goddess flanked by winged dogs with bull's horns and a butterfly above her head seems to convey a rich symbolism that speaks to the interconnectedness of various aspects of life and nature.

Archeologist and author of The Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas, describes the bee goddess as a representation of regeneration, as the life giver. Seen here under the horns of the sacrificial bull suggests the importance of the cyclical nature of life and death. The metamorphosis of the butterfly and the guidance of the winged dogs of the underground further emphasize this theme of transformation and renewal.

I find that the ancient image speaks to contemporary concerns about the health of bees, the planet, and humans. The symbolism of the bee goddess can be seen as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and protecting the environment and its inhabitants, especially those that are crucial to the health and sustainability of ecosystems.

In Gimbutas’ Old Europe, (where much of her research and excavations occurred) she points out that this egalitarian society revered women, nature, and the environment. This, to me, is a powerful message that resonates with the need to acknowledge the interconnectedness of life and the role that humans play in maintaining a balance that supports the well-being of all living things.

I never tire of the enduring power of ancient symbolism and its ability to speak to contemporary issues and concerns.