Aphrodite’s Island

Last year I holidayed for the first time on Cyprus, an island rich in history and legend.

Cyprus is known as the birthplace of the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. She emerged from the seafoam at Petra tou Romiou, near Paphos. I was captivated by her story and decided to create a mixed media shadow box frame in celebration.

Symbols of Aphrodite

All the elements that I’ve used are associated with the goddess. The temple itself is my own creation loosely based on classical Greek architecture. Very little remains of the temple at Aphrodite’s Sanctuary at Palaepaphos (now the village of Kouklia).

Inside the temple, Aphrodite was worshipped as an aniconic deity, meaning that she was represented not with a figurative statue but by a conical rock. I was fortunate to have a bead that I think does the job very well.

Starting at the top of the mount board in the main picture are two doves, which along with sparrows and swans were sacred to Aphrodite. There’s a branch of myrtle and representations of roses and anemones. The rose was said to have sprung from the blood of Adonis, the handsome youth whom the goddess loved. The anemones appeared where her tears fell at the news of his death.

In the sea are the three rocks of Petra tou Romiou and, having risen from the seafoam, she is also associated with scallop shells and pearls.

The dragonfly, as well as being one of my own trademark elements, represents transformation and rebirth which seem particularly appropriate.

I think this unique artwork conveys the story of Aphrodite and, hopefully, something of her island home on which she was and is known as Anassa (Queen), Despina (Our Lady) and the Paphian.

You’ll find Love’s Sanctuary listed here.

Derrick