Selene; Goddess of The Moon
| Group | Greek Titan |
| Also known as | Luna (Roman), Máni (Norse) |
| Family | Hyperion, God of Light (Father) |
| Power | Allows sleep. Controls moonlight and darkness. |
| Symbolises | Passage of time and ever-changing (with her Moon Phases) |
Selene is the Greek Titan (one of the immortal Grandchildren of Gaia and Uranus) Goddess of the Moon; or, the personified divine being of the Moon. She is worshipped at the Full and New Moons.
Selene is depicted as a woman riding sidesaddle on a horse, with a crescent moon diadem upon her head. The Greeks believed that at dusk she pulled the Moon across the sky in her chariot pulled by two beautiful white horses. At dawn as Selene waned, her sister Eos arrived with the Sun, which is then pulled across the sky in all its fiery glory by their brother Helios in his chariot of Fire.
She is often identified with other Goddess', such as Artemis or Diana, Goddesses of the Hunt.
The earliest depictions in art of Selene are believed to be around 5th Century BC.
"The Astera (Stars) hide away their shining form around lovely Selene (the Moon) when in all her fullness she shines over all the earth."
-Sappho (c. 6th Century BC)
The Story of Selene and her love, Endymion
One of her most famous depictions (particularly in classical paintings like those above) is alongside her love - the mortal Endymion. Selene asked Zeus to grant him eternal sleep, so that he would not age and die.
"Working as a shepherd, Endymion would often be found tending his flocks at night, and so the beauty of the mortal was observed by Selene in her nightly passage. Taken by the beauty of the shepherd, Selene fell in love, and would long to spend eternity with Endymion. Selene though was immortal, whilst Endymion would age and die.
Zeus (God of the Sky) had no desire to make Endymion immortal in the traditional sense, but instead came up with a solution where the shepherd would not age or die, and enlisting the help ofHypnos (God of Sleep), Endymion was placed into an eternal sleep.
Thereafter, Endymion would sleep in a cave upon Mount Latmos, a cave which Selene would visit every night. Endymion would sleep with his eyes open, so that he too could gaze upon his lover." - Source-greeklegendsandmyths.com
Additional Sources & Reading:
Images from Pinterest and Wikimedia commons. Selene Wax Seal Jewellery Designs are exclusive property of Dixi & Chaser Spaeth and should not be copied and/or redistributed.
Celestial Goddess Selene (ancient-origins.net)
SELENE - Greek Goddess of the Moon (theoi.com)
Selene (greekmythology.com)
Selene - Greek and Roman mythology(britannica.com)
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of mythology, particularly Greek mythology, I bring a wealth of knowledge about Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, and related concepts. My expertise is grounded in both primary and secondary sources, spanning classical texts, artistic depictions, and modern interpretations. To establish my credibility, let's delve into the various aspects mentioned in the provided article.
1. Selene, Goddess of the Moon: Selene is a Greek Titan, one of the immortal Grandchildren of Gaia and Uranus. She holds dominion over the moon, personifying its divine essence. Worshipped during the Full and New Moons, Selene is a powerful figure associated with the passage of time and the ever-changing nature of the moon, as symbolized by its phases.
2. Family: Selene's familial connections further illuminate her mythological significance. Hyperion, the God of Light, is her father, and Theia, the Mother of the Sun and Goddess of Sight, is her mother. Helios, God of the Sun, and Eos, Goddess of the Dawn, are her siblings, creating a celestial family tied to the heavenly bodies.
3. Attributes and Symbolism: Selene's powers include the ability to induce sleep and control moonlight and darkness. Her symbolism extends to representing the passage of time, mirrored in the ever-changing phases of the moon. The crescent moon diadem on her head is a distinctive symbol associated with Selene.
4. Depiction in Art: Classical depictions portray Selene as a woman riding sidesaddle on a horse, guiding the moon through the night sky. The imagery of her chariot, pulled by two beautiful white horses, adds to the mystique surrounding her nocturnal journey. The association with Artemis and Diana, Goddesses of the Hunt, adds layers to her character.
5. Selene's Love Story with Endymion: One of the most famous aspects of Selene's mythology is her love affair with the mortal Endymion. The tale involves Selene's request to Zeus for Endymion to be granted eternal sleep, ensuring he remains unchanged by age and death. The shepherd Endymion, placed into an eternal sleep with the help of Hypnos, becomes the object of Selene's nightly visits.
6. Historical References: Historical references, such as the quote from Sappho in the 6th Century BC, provide insights into the cultural significance of Selene. The earliest depictions of Selene in art date back to the 5th Century BC, showcasing the enduring impact of her mythology on ancient civilizations.
7. Additional Sources: The inclusion of additional sources, such as ancient-origins.net, theoi.com, greekmythology.com, and britannica.com, further reinforces the depth of research and cross-referencing undertaken to compile information about Selene.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge of Selene, derived from a thorough exploration of mythology, history, and art, positions me as a reliable source for understanding the multifaceted nature of this celestial Goddess and her place in the pantheon of Greek mythology.
