Hecate | Myth & Symbols (2024)

Greek goddess

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Hecate | Myth & Symbols (1)

Hecate, goddess accepted at an early date into Greek religion but probably derived from the Carians in southwest Asia Minor. In Hesiod she is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria and has power over heaven, earth, and sea; hence, she bestows wealth and all the blessings of daily life.

Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter’s daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. Hecate was represented as single-formed, clad in a long robe, holding burning torches; in later representations she was triple-formed, with three bodies standing back-to-back, probably so that she could look in all directions at once from the crossroads. She was accompanied by packs of barking dogs.

Hecate | Myth & Symbols (2)

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From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.

Hecate | Myth & Symbols (2024)

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Hecate | Myth & Symbols? ›

Hecate

Hecate
Hecate (Greek: Ἑκάτη, Hekátē) is the goddess of magic, crossroads, witchcraft, sorcery, ghosts and necromancy in ancient Greek religion and myth. The daughter of Perses and Asteria (twin sister of Leto), Hecate was a member of the third generation of Titans, but sided with Zeus and his siblings during the Titanomachy.
https://simple.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hecate
is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches, a key, or snakes, or accompanied by dogs, and in later periods depicted as three-formed or triple-bodied.

What tree is the symbol of Hecate? ›

The willow is closely associated with the Goddess Hecate in Greek Mythology. She was a goddess of wild places, childbirth and the crossroads, but later became known as the goddess of witches and ghosts.

What are the representations of Hecate? ›

Hecate's Three Faces

However, a common depiction of this goddess is with three faces, three heads, or three bodies standing back to back, showing her as the guardian of crossroads. Hecate is often also shown with dogs because of her association with the moon and wild dogs' tendency to howl or bark at the moon.

What does the Hecate key symbolize? ›

First and foremost, the Hecate Key symbolizes the act of unlocking hidden potential. In the realm of magic and mysticism, Hecate is revered as a guide to the unseen, a guardian of secrets, and a conduit to hidden realms.

What stones are sacred to Hecate? ›

Hekate is often associated with dark-colored crystals that have protective and transformative properties. Some common crystals associated with Hekate include black tourmaline, obsidian, amethyst, hematite, smoky quartz, and labradorite.

Is the owl a symbol of Hecate? ›

Hecate's Sacred Animals

The animals associated with Hecate also hold symbolic significance. The owl, with its ability to see in the dark, represents Hecate's wisdom and her connection to the supernatural.

What plants are associated with Hekate? ›

You are welcome to quote from it, providing you credit it "Covenant of Hekate Members" with a link back to this page.
  • HERBS and PLANTS. ...
  • Aconite. ...
  • Ebony. ...
  • Flower of Fire. ...
  • Garland (or wreath) ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Mandrake. ...
  • The root of this plant has narcotic and hallucinogenic properties.

What do the three forms of Hecate represent? ›

These three figures are often described as the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone, each of which symbolizes both a separate stage in the female life cycle and a phase of the Moon, and often rules one of the realms of heavens, earth, and underworld. In various forms of Wicca, her masculine consort is the Horned God.

What is a Hecate statue? ›

Hekate, the goddess of the moon and of sorcery, presided over crossroads. She was first represented as three women standing against a pillar in a statue erected in about 425 B.C. on the bastion of Athena Nike at the entrance to the Akropolis in Athens.

Why does Hecate hold a snake? ›

As a goddess of witchcraft, magic, and the moon, Hecate is often associated with symbols that represent her transformative and intuitive energies, and the snake is one of the most powerful symbols of this energy.

What is Hecate sacred animal? ›

Often identified with the goddesses Artemis and Selene, Hecate served as a representative of the harvest moon. Her symbols were a pair of torches, keys and daggers, and the serpent, polecat, and dog were considered her sacred animals.

What does Hecate predict? ›

In Hecate's opinion, he is. She tells the Witches that Macbeth "loves for his own ends" and prophesies that Macbeth "shall spurn Fate," recalling the words "disdaining Fortune" from Act I.

What two things is Hecate the goddess of? ›

Definition. Hecate (Hekate) is a goddess of Greek mythology capable of both good and evil. She was associated with witchcraft, magic, the Moon, doorways, and creatures of the night like hell-hounds and ghosts.

What number is associated with Hekate? ›

Three, as in the three keys and candles, is the number most evocative of Hekate.

What are the three sides of Hecate? ›

Hecate is often depicted in art with three faces. The most common interpretation is that the first face of Hecate is the Maiden, the second face is the Mother, and the third face is the Crone.

What is the dark side of Hecate? ›

Hecate accepts rejected, offended people, raped women, runaway slaves, revenges for their offences with terrible slow way. She can grow cruel plants whose juice, properly used, gives revelation, and in other doses can become fatal poison.

Who is Hecate's family tree? ›

Hecate's Family Relations

According to Hesiod in his Theogony, Hecate is the daughter of Perses and Asteria, making her the granddaughter of the Titans Phoebe and Coeus.

What deity is associated with trees? ›

The Yakshis or Yakshinis (Sanskrit: याक्षिणि), mythical maiden deities of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology are closely associated with trees, especially the ashoka tree and the sal tree. Although these tree deities are usually benevolent, there are also yakshinis with malevolent characteristics in Indian folklore.

What goddess is associated with the tree of life? ›

Furthermore, the goddess Nut, or Nu, is very closely linked to the Tree of Life. She is depicted as the provider of life, which she would give in the form of milk, fruit, and sap from her body.

What tree is the woman in Greek myth? ›

Apollo pursued Daphne and when she was tired of running she called for help to her father, who turned her into a laurel tree. Apollo adorned himself with laurel leaves and called it his special symbol, which explains why the laurel tree is associated with the god Apollo in Greek myth.

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