Britomartis – Sweet Maiden; Blessing Maiden
Britomartis is an ancient Cretan goddess. According to her most famous surviving myth, Britomartis was a mountain Nymph who, fleeing from the sexual advances of King Minos, flung herself into the sea. She did not drown; fishermen rescued her with their nets. Emerging from the water, she assumed new names:
• Aphaia: “the invisible”
• Diktynna: “Lady of the Nets” or “from the Nets”
Alternative versions suggest she did drown but that Artemis took pity on her and transformed her into a goddess, or that she was Artemis’ lover and had vowed to have no sexual relations with any other, hence her flight from Minos.
Cretan artifacts, including many coins bearing her image, indicate that she was no minor spirit but a great goddess, the presiding spirit of Mount Dikte. Her name, translated as “Sweet Maiden,” may be a euphemism, a plea for Britomartis to behave nicely in the same way that Fairies are called “The Good People.” If you tell fierce, volatile spirits that they’re nice and kind, maybe they’ll behave that way.
Britomartis is invoked for protection, fertility, and abundance. She is a spirit of female mysteries and protectress of wild animals.
ORIGIN:
Crete
ICONOGRAPHY:
Britomartis is depicted with a fierce face sometimes reminiscent of a Gorgon. She holds snakes and may suckle griffins.
ATTRIBUTE:
Double axe (labrys)
ANIMALS:
All wild animals, but especially snakes; griffins; her temples were guarded by dogs reputed to be fiercer than bears.
SEE ALSO:
- Artemis
- Gorgon
- Nymph
- Pasiphae
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
Britomartis (sweet maid?) In Greek mythology, a Cretan goddess, daughter of Zeus and Carme (or Charme or Leto). Britomartis was often identified with the goddess Artemis, patroness of hunters, fishermen, and sailors, and she also was goddess of birth and chastity. In her role as sea goddess Britomartis was called Dictynna (lady of the net?). Minos loved her and pursued her for nine months. Britomartis leaped into the sea from a high rock to avoid his advances. According to one myth she was saved by Artemis, who caught her in a net. Artemis then made Britomartis a goddess. In Aegina she was known as Aphaea. In Spenser’s Faerie Queene, Britomart is Chastity.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante