The gate of the year

Figure above:

Stalagmite, whose shape reminds of the contours of a bear, inside the cave located near the monastery of Gouverneto, on the Island of Crete. The cave is known locally as the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa (“Our Lady of the Bear”), or Arkoudospilios (the “Cave of the Bear”). Many elements can lead to the hypothesis that the cave was a place anciently dedicated to the goddess Artemis in the shape of a she-bear, which, in Christian times, was associated to the cult of the Virgin Mary. Indeed, a local legend says that in a time of drought a bear drank water in a concave stone which collected the water dripping from the ceiling. The prayers of the monks were received by the Virgin, who transformed the bear into stone, allowing the people to have access to the precious source of water.

[Source: http://www.west-crete.com/dailypics/crete-2008/2-4-08.shtm]

Figure below:

Earthenware statuette in the shape of a bear holding a vase, from the island of Syros and dating to the Cycladic Bronze Age (3500-1050 B.C.). The object is now in the National Archaeological Museum (Ethnikó Arheologikó Moussío) in Athens. In Greek mythology the bear is particularly associated with the goddess Artemis, Mistress of the Animals, and to the tale of the nymph Kallisto, transformed into a she-bear. Sacred to Artemis, the bear was at the centre of some initiation rites in honor of the goddess, like those that were held in the sanctuary of Brauron. During these celebrations, the girls performed dances in which they imitated the movements of the bear and were thus called “she-bears”.

[Source: http://www.athensguide.com/archaeology-museum/athens-national-museum004_jpg_view.htm]




Animals

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Figure above: Stalagmite, whose shape reminds of the contours of a bear, inside the cave located near the monastery of Gouverneto, on the Island of Crete. The cave is known locally as the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa (“Our Lady of the Bear”), or Arkoudospilios (the “Cave of the Bear”). Many elements can lead to the hypothesis that the cave was a place anciently dedicated to the goddess Artemis in the shape of a she-bear, which, in Christian times, was associated to the cult of the Virgin Mary. Indeed, a local legend says that in a time of drought a bear drank water in a concave stone which collected the water dripping from the ceiling. The prayers of the monks were received by the Virgin, who transformed the bear into stone, allowing the people to have access to the precious source of water. [Source: http://www.west-crete.com/dailypics/crete-2008/2-4-08.shtm] Figure below: Earthenware statuette in the shape of a bear holding a vase, from the island of Syros and dating to the Cycladic Bronze Age (3500-1050 B.C.). The object is now in the National Archaeological Museum (Ethnikó Arheologikó Moussío) in Athens. In Greek mythology the bear is particularly associated with the goddess Artemis, Mistress of the Animals, and to the tale of the nymph Kallisto, transformed into a she-bear. Sacred to Artemis, the bear was at the centre of some initiation rites in honor of the goddess, like those that were held in the sanctuary of Brauron. During these celebrations, the girls performed dances in which they imitated the movements of the bear and were thus called “she-bears”. [Source: http://www.athensguide.com/archaeology-museum/athens-national-museum004_jpg_view.htm]