[tied] Re: Neptune, Poseidon, Danu, etc.

--- In cybalist@..., "proto-language" <proto-language@...> wrote:

> Dear Joao and Cybalisters:
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: João S. Lopes Filho
> To: cybalist@...
> Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2001 9:10 AM
> Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Neptune, Poseidon, Danu, etc.
>
>
> There was a great range of a Warrior/Hunting Goddess, linked to

wild cats in

> Europe, North Africa and Asia:
> Greece - Athena and Artemis - lions
> Egypt - Sekhmet - lions
> Scandinavia - Freya - cats
> Asia Minor - Cybele - lions; Asiatic Aphrodite - panthers
> Semites - Ashtart - lions
> Sumeria - Inana - lions
> India - Durga - lions

There is also probably Anatolian Kubaba

> <snip>
> [PCR]
> In my opinion, the lion is a worldwise symbol of associations

with the moon, contrasted with the venomous snake and eagle for the
sun.

> The composite animal, griffin (lion + eagle), is therefore an

animal of the sky-god, whose two eyes are the sun and moon.

Hmmm. I don't know about the lion's lunar symbolism myself. I agree
that the eagle has sun symbolism, but it always seems that the eagle
is in opposition to the snake. I'd love to hear examples of snake-
solar symbolism and lion-lunar-I've always thought the opposites were
true.
However I'm glad you mentioned the griffin. Like the lion , it often
plays the role of twin guardians of a goddess or other sacred scene.
It resembles the Simurgh, said to guard the higher realm of the World
Tree. Maybe lions were thought of as vigilant guardians, the
bodyguards of the divine.


Also, the lioness is a more active hunter than her male counterpart.
Could this also be part of the reason of the Goddess/Lion connection?

-Mr. Caws