Goddess of the harvest, grain and the fertile earth, Demeter gave humanity agriculture – and her grief for her lost daughter explained the turning of the seasons. Here is her story and the meaning of her sheaf of wheat.
Who is Demeter?
Demeter is the Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, grain, the fertility of the earth and the sacred law. One of the twelve Olympians, she was a daughter of Kronos and Rhea and sister of Zeus. The Romans worshipped her as Ceres, from whose name we get the word "cereal".
In art Demeter is a mature, gentle woman in a long robe and veil, crowned with ears of wheat, holding a sheaf of grain, a torch or a cornucopia, the horn of plenty. Poppies, pigs and the serpent were also sacred to her.
The abduction of Persephone
Demeter's beloved daughter was Persephone, a joyful young goddess of spring. One day, while Persephone was gathering flowers in a meadow, the earth opened and Hades, king of the underworld, carried her away in his chariot to be his queen. Demeter heard her daughter's cry but could not find her.
Lighting torches from the fires of Mount Etna, Demeter searched the whole world for nine days and nights without food or rest. Finally Helios, the sun who sees everything, told her the truth. Grief-stricken and angry, Demeter left Olympus and wandered among mortals, and while she mourned, nothing grew: the crops withered, the trees lost their leaves and famine spread across the earth.
The return of spring
Seeing humanity starving, Zeus sent Hermes to bring Persephone back. But Persephone had eaten a few seeds of a pomegranate in the underworld, and whoever eats the food of the dead must return there. A compromise was reached: Persephone would spend part of each year with Hades and the rest with her mother. When she returns, Demeter rejoices and the earth blossoms in spring; when she descends, Demeter grieves and winter comes.
The gift of agriculture
During her wanderings, Demeter was welcomed at Eleusis near Athens by King Celeus. In gratitude, she taught the young prince Triptolemus the secrets of sowing and harvesting grain and sent him across the world in a chariot drawn by winged serpents to teach humanity agriculture. At Eleusis her worshippers celebrated the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most famous secret rites of the ancient world, promising hope beyond death.
Demeter in art and in your home
Demeter symbolises abundance, nourishment, motherly love and the cycle of the seasons. A statue of Demeter suits a kitchen, dining room or garden room, and is a meaningful gift for mothers, gardeners, cooks and anyone celebrating a new home – a wish for a full table and a fertile year. A cornucopia or sheaf of wheat makes her instantly recognisable.
Related gods
Read the story of Hades, who carried away her daughter, and of her brothers Zeus and Poseidon. Browse all the Olympians in our Greek Mythology collection.
