DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1117#0231
SNAKE IN PRIMITIVE CULT BENEFICENT GENIUS 185
type (Fig. 145, b),1 with the roll handle complete. This presents the same similar
'wave and dot' ornament—here, indeed, encircling only the zone beneath "05Jl'et
the rim—showing also its continuation, in a double line and under the hpm
Phcicslos,
same somewhat foliated aspect, round the entire curve of the handle, as far
as the terminal section. This, once more, takes the form of a snake's head
(Fig. 145, b i). The right eye is in relief, though obscured by a black patch,
and a light reserved spot on the other side indicates the left eye.
It is further to be observed that in this case the specifically religious Motive
destination of the vessel is marked by the appearance on each face of ^°"d
a Double Axe, compounded with two-leo-g-ed Ankh,- and thus forming' with
, ,. - ' , . . ™ . , . , . -. .". Double
a symbolic figure very characteristic as a ceramic feature of the L. lvl. 1 b Axe
phase. The vessel itself was, indeed, found in company with other vases symbo1-
in this style, marking the date of the destruction of the Second Palace at
Hagia Triada. It is of special interest to note that on band 2 of the
Mycenae hearth two waved lines appear, as on the adder's back. (Compare
Fig. 143, p. 182, and Fig. 148, p. 192.)
No fuller proof of the viperine connexion of the wave and dot
ornament could be desired than is supplied by these examples. Once
more, again, its association on the last-mentioned goblet confirms its close
relation to the Double Axe cult of the Minoan Goddess.
Snake in Primitive Cult Beneficent Genius.
As has been already demonstrated, die primitive snake cult of Crete Snake as
bene-
can only be regarded as representing a local aspect of what was really jcent
a world-wide religious belief in which the departed Spirits of the house- Jj™1^,"1
hold were identified with the creeping things that sought the warmth of cult,
the domestic hearth. The snake thus regarded is a beneficent Genius,
bringing luck to the dwelling that it haunts. It is to be hospitably
entreated in every way, and its character is best declared by terms like
'house-mother' so widely applied to it. The food vessels and utensils
specially devised for it, such as were contained in the repository of the
little private 'snake room' at Knossos, illustrate this aspect of the cult in
its simplest form. Where, again, in the little Shrines, such as those of
Gournia or Prima, we see utensils of this kind impressed into the service
of a Goddess impersonated in rustic images, we have every reason to
suppose that the snakes that coil about her are of this domestic kind, and
1 Tlfanks to the generous permission of fils, to whom Fig. 145, a, is also due.
Professor Pernier, the drawing, Fig. f 45, b, was - See my Myc. Tree and Pillar Cult, p. Si and
executed for me by Monsieur E. Gillieron, compare the Yapheio ring {ib.} p. 78, Fig. 52).
type (Fig. 145, b),1 with the roll handle complete. This presents the same similar
'wave and dot' ornament—here, indeed, encircling only the zone beneath "05Jl'et
the rim—showing also its continuation, in a double line and under the hpm
Phcicslos,
same somewhat foliated aspect, round the entire curve of the handle, as far
as the terminal section. This, once more, takes the form of a snake's head
(Fig. 145, b i). The right eye is in relief, though obscured by a black patch,
and a light reserved spot on the other side indicates the left eye.
It is further to be observed that in this case the specifically religious Motive
destination of the vessel is marked by the appearance on each face of ^°"d
a Double Axe, compounded with two-leo-g-ed Ankh,- and thus forming' with
, ,. - ' , . . ™ . , . , . -. .". Double
a symbolic figure very characteristic as a ceramic feature of the L. lvl. 1 b Axe
phase. The vessel itself was, indeed, found in company with other vases symbo1-
in this style, marking the date of the destruction of the Second Palace at
Hagia Triada. It is of special interest to note that on band 2 of the
Mycenae hearth two waved lines appear, as on the adder's back. (Compare
Fig. 143, p. 182, and Fig. 148, p. 192.)
No fuller proof of the viperine connexion of the wave and dot
ornament could be desired than is supplied by these examples. Once
more, again, its association on the last-mentioned goblet confirms its close
relation to the Double Axe cult of the Minoan Goddess.
Snake in Primitive Cult Beneficent Genius.
As has been already demonstrated, die primitive snake cult of Crete Snake as
bene-
can only be regarded as representing a local aspect of what was really jcent
a world-wide religious belief in which the departed Spirits of the house- Jj™1^,"1
hold were identified with the creeping things that sought the warmth of cult,
the domestic hearth. The snake thus regarded is a beneficent Genius,
bringing luck to the dwelling that it haunts. It is to be hospitably
entreated in every way, and its character is best declared by terms like
'house-mother' so widely applied to it. The food vessels and utensils
specially devised for it, such as were contained in the repository of the
little private 'snake room' at Knossos, illustrate this aspect of the cult in
its simplest form. Where, again, in the little Shrines, such as those of
Gournia or Prima, we see utensils of this kind impressed into the service
of a Goddess impersonated in rustic images, we have every reason to
suppose that the snakes that coil about her are of this domestic kind, and
1 Tlfanks to the generous permission of fils, to whom Fig. 145, a, is also due.
Professor Pernier, the drawing, Fig. f 45, b, was - See my Myc. Tree and Pillar Cult, p. Si and
executed for me by Monsieur E. Gillieron, compare the Yapheio ring {ib.} p. 78, Fig. 52).