Selene, among the younger generation of Titans, served as the Greek goddess representing the moon. Many ancient poets and authors depicted her not just as a celestial figure but as the very embodiment of the moon.
Revered as a vital celestial presence, Selene garnered respect not only as a lunar goddess but was also associated with agriculture and fertility. Her name connects her to various other goddesses, including Artemis and Hecate, due to their shared lunar associations.
Who Was Selene?
Selene was the daughter of the Titan deities Hyperion and Theia, siblings to Helios, the sun god, and Eos, the goddess of dawn. Despite being a Titan goddess by lineage, Selene and her siblings became integral figures in the Greek pantheon after the Titans’ defeat. This was a typical outcome for younger Titans who did not partake in the battles against Zeus alongside their elder relatives.
The Significance of Being the Moon Goddess
In ancient Greece, natural occurrences were deeply intertwined with worship. Both the sun and moon were anthropomorphized as gods, with Selene and her brother Helios believed to govern these celestial bodies’ movements across the heavens. Their presence signified day and night and was essential for agricultural cycles, making them worthy of veneration.
Mythologically, it was said that Selene traversed the sky in her moon chariot every night, moving westward as she followed Helios. This narrative elegantly explained the moon’s path and its role in ushering in the night while marking the transition to dawn.
The moon was also credited with providing nourishing dew for plants and instigating rest for humans, further intertwining Selene with seasonal cycles and the natural renewal of life.
Other Moon Goddesses and Lunar Deities
Greece had a variety of lunar goddesses, with Selene being the most recognized as the moon personified. Other deities like Artemis and Hecate were also significant in their lunar connections. In later tales, Selene was frequently associated with Artemis, mirroring the relationship between Helios and Apollo, often referred to as Phoebe and Phoebus, respectively.
Lunar deities have existed across numerous ancient pantheistic cultures, with the moon holding a crucial place in many communities’ religious practices and calendars. Some equivalent figures include Luna in Roman mythology, Sin in Mesopotamian culture, Khonsu from Egypt, Mani in Germanic mythology, Tsukuyomi of Japan, Chang’e from Chinese lore, and Chandra from Hindu beliefs.
Additionally, other figures like Isis and Nyx, although not primarily moon goddesses, have various associations with the moon, enhancing its rich tapestry of worship.
The Meaning of ‘Selene’
In Greek, ‘Selene’ translates to ‘light’ or ‘brightness,’ an apt designation for the moon goddess known for illuminating the dark. Selene’s name also appeared in various dialects but carried a similar significance.
She was sometimes referred to as Mene, which meant ‘the moon,’ connecting her with the lunar cycle. This connection mirrors her Roman counterpart, Luna, whose Latin root signifies the same. Over time, Selene was also associated with Artemis, earning titles like Phoebe, meaning ‘bright,’ and Cynthia, named after her supposed birthplace, Mount Cynthus.
Descriptions of Selene, Goddess of the Moon
Selene’s earliest references in Greek literature likely appear in the Homeric Hymns, particularly in Hymn 32, which poetically describes her celestial form and attributes. With allusions to her “bright” essence, the hymn enshrined her beauty, depicting her as a “white-armed goddess” and a “bright-tressed queen.”
In later accounts, Selene was often depicted as ‘Horned Selene,’ an acknowledgment of the crescent moon seen atop her head—a symbol frequently associated with her identity.
Iconography and Symbolism
Artifacts from ancient times, such as pottery and busts, showcase Selene typically driving a chariot or riding a horse, often accompanied by her brother. One of her key symbols included the bull, occasionally depicted as her steed.
In representations of Selene, the crescent moon often appears close to her figure, accentuating her lunar persona. Sometimes this symbol is portrayed resting on her head like a crown or as horns, while a nimbus often encircled her head to illustrate the divine light she provided.
Selene’s Moon Chariot
Selene’s moon chariot served as a vital symbol of her identity, representing not only the moon’s physical movement but also as a means to measure time. Ancient Greeks structured their calendar around the lunar phases, with the moon’s cycles marking months.
Depictions of Selene’s chariot date back to the 5th century BCE, usually illustrated with two horses pulling it—sometimes winged, while later narrations describe it as being drawn by bulls. Accounts of whether her chariot was golden or silver vary; however, silver aligns more closely with the moon’s character.
Greek Myths Featuring the Moon Goddess Selene
Numerous myths exist concerning Selene, particularly her involvement with other divine entities like Zeus. One notable tale revolves around her love for the shepherd king Endymion, depicted as one of the most remarkable mortals.
Selene and Endymion
The love story between Selene and Endymion showcases Selene’s encounters with several suitors, but none matched her affinity for the mortal Endymion, whom Zeus condemned to eternal slumber. Enamored, she craved his eternal companionship.
Various versions of this myth suggest different reasons for Endymion’s eternal sleep, including a curse due to his infatuation with Hera. Despite Zeus’s inability to grant immortality to him, he chose to preserve Endymion in a perpetual state of youth. Selene would visit him in his cave, and the union resulted in fifty daughters known as the Menai, the embodiment of lunar months.
This narrative found parallels in Roman mythology, where it was often Diana, the Roman equivalent of Artemis, who fell in love with Endymion. Influential Roman scholars chronicled this tale, notably Lucian of Samosata, who depicted conversations between Aphrodite and Selene regarding her love for him.
Interpreting the name ‘Endymion’—meaning ‘one who dives’—suggests a literal relationship between the sun’s setting and the subsequent moonrise, making Selene’s love for Endymion illustrative of the cycles of nature.
Selene and the Gigantomachy
In the Gigantomachy, Selene took an active role alongside her siblings against Gaia’s vengeful offspring, the Giants. Delivering support to the Olympians’ struggle, Selene and her siblings intentionally veiled their luminescence to thwart Gaia, ultimately aiding Zeus in collecting vital herbs for victory.
Selene and Heracles
Selene also engaged with Heracles, who, upon dispatching messages via Hermes, instructed her to prolong the night’s duration for three days. Accounts suggest that Selene actively contributed to the genesis of the Nemean Lion, with references to her name in several classical texts.
Lunar Eclipses and Witchcraft
The ancient Greeks believed a connection existed between witchcraft and the moon, attributing lunar eclipses, particularly those caused by witches in Thessaly, to magical actions. These mystical connections facilitated cultural narratives within which the moon played a pivotal role.
Family
Selene’s family knowledge comes from various sources in Greek mythology. Her lineage is marked by romantic encounters and the offspring resulting from them, which reflects ancient Greek perspectives on the solitary yet charming moon.
Parents and Siblings
As outlined in Hesiod’s Theogony, Selene is a progeny of Hyperion and Theia. Known for their roles as Titan gods, they had three children: Eos, Helios, and Selene, with reluctance from many of the older Titans following the fall of their kin.
Interactions among these siblings were characterized by collaboration rather than rivalry, supporting one another in their divine capacities, especially evident during the Gigantomachy.
Consorts
Though Endymion is widely recognized as Selene’s most famed consort, other myths depict romantic ties between her and various gods, including Zeus, with whom she bore at least three daughters. She also reportedly had a dalliance with Pan, the rustic god.
Children
Selene’s offspring reportedly spanned generations, most notably with Endymion, as they had fifty daughters symbolizing the lunar months of the Olympiad Cycle. Additionally, Pandia, their child with Zeus, represented the full moon, and Selene’s union with Helios produced the four Horae, personifying the seasons.
The Worship of the Greek Goddess Selene
Unlike many prominent deities, Selene lacked dedicated temples in earlier periods. She was not widely worshiped, and references to the moon were often seen as associating with barbaric practices. However, as her connection with other lunar deities grew, worship began to surface more publicly.
While Selene’s altars were sparse, places like Laconia featured a sanctuary created in her honor. The ancient connections associating the moon with femininity and fertility paralleled eventually with her identity merging with Artemis.
Mystery Cults and Love Magic
Despite limited ritual worship, women would invoke Selene for romantic aid. This likely played a role in associating Selene with Hecate, fostering her reputation as a goddess tied to witchcraft and enchantment.
The Legacy of Selene in the Modern World
Selene’s influence persists in contemporary culture, mirrored in traditions like naming a day of the week after her. The etymology of ‘Monday’ stems from its homage to the moon goddess.
Additionally, a minor planet bears her name, 580 Selene, and her legacy continues through selenium, a chemical named for its similarity to tellurium, referencing Earth’s Greek name.
Although Selene isn’t prominent in modern adaptations of Greek mythology, she is evoked in literature, like H.G. Wells’ “The First Men on the Moon,” where moon-dwelling creatures are named Selenites. Moreover, the name Selene remains prevalent in the English-speaking community, representing a form of recognition for a goddess who once dwelled in mythology’s shadows.
