As a Florida Master Gardener, I have always been obsessed with flowers. The Flower of Aphrodite is no exception as I continue following the Goddess’s trail here in Cyprus. There are numerous flowers associated with her, such as the rose, hibiscus and myrtle. The attractive aroma and lush fertile nature of flowers are metaphors for the attraction of two lovers to each other, such as in the myth of Aphrodite and Adonis. This sensual passion of two lovers uniting act as God and Goddess, pitching them out of the mundane world and into the sacred—love. From this love comes transformation. I’ve spotted her symbolic hexafoil six-petaled Flower of Aphrodite everywhere.
First of all, I was amazed to find out that recently, the rhymic five petals of the planet Venus were in the night sky last month. The number five symbolizes human perfection. Venus is the Roman version of the Greek Aphrodite. So it is above, as it is below. Inner space is Outer Space, according to Mythologist Joseph Campbell. This graphic The Petals of Venus and its Eight-Year cycle is from Earth Sky Magazine. Read the great article, if you love astronomy, like moi! Stunning!
The Flower of Aphrodite on walls of the 12th Century Country Church of Archangel Michael, Kato Lefkara, Cyprus. Aphrodite/Venus became Mary during the Middle Ages. In Cyprus, Aphrodite is evoked as Mary Panagia. There’s a lot of connection to Christ and The Goddess, not to mention that Emperor Hadrian built The Temple of Aphrodite over Christ’s rock tomb, which in turn was torn down and became The Tomb of the Sepulcre.
Flower of Aphrodite in top left corner of a lintel at Ethnological Museum House of Hadjigeorgakis, Larnaca, Cyprus. Traditionally, the Flower of Aphrodite has six mandorla-shaped petals. The petals’ mandorla almond shape is connected to the yoni and the feminine genitalia and generative power. In ancient times, it was the female’s energy that validated the king. A lot like Shiva and Shakti. A big reason Caesar was Cleopatra’s lover, Venus was the patron saint of Rome, and Caesar led his invading armies to conquer in the Spring. Six is the number of equilibrium, harmony and balance, and to the ancients was a sexual number. Aphrodite contains both feminine and masculine principles.
Flower of Aphrodite in bottom left corner among cross pattée, symbols of the Knights Templars that at one point ruled Cyprus. At the Ethnological Museum House of Hadjigeorgakis, Larnaca.
I was walking to Zygi, the oldest fishing village in Cyprus, when I came across this lovely Salsify flower, Tragopogon porrifolius, Maroni, Larnaca, Cyprus. Beauty strikes awe in us, and flowers are no exception. Dostoyevsky said, “Beauty alone will save us.” I agree.
Head of limestone figure wearing a kalathos, basket, with flowers and winged sphinxes. 5th Century B.C. Arsos Sanctuary, Archeological Museum of Larnaca District, Cyprus
Flower of Aphrodite in the center of a mandala from Jerusalem hanging on a wall in Cyprus.
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