Content Warning: this article discusses topics and themes regarding adult content, drug use, sex, sexual assault, suicide and violence.

Previously, I had written about these associations and symbols, and I work on the [WIP] Dionysian Wiki (which needs contributors!), but in those older lists, some of the information was incorrect or incomplete. The goal here is to fix that.

Please note: I have included citations and a bibliography, but only when I feel it is applicable. If you would like more citations/info, please leave a comment or contact me privately. Additionally, this article may be edited or altered in the future. (Last edit: 19/11/25)
All subjects are listed in alphabetical order.

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Animals and Monsters

Bats

In mythology, the Minyades were three sisters who refused to worship Dionysos during his festival. As punishment, Dionysos drove them mad; in their frenzy, they tore apart their own children and wandered the mountains in a state of mania. Eventually, Hermes transformed them into bats.

While bat imagery is rare in ancient art, it has been found on ithyphallic oil lamps from Pompeii. This suggests that bats may have held some symbolic association with Dionysos.

Bats are nocturnal creatures, flying creatures, but not birds, they also hang upside down. These can be considered paradoxes.

Bears

In the Homeric Hymn 7, Dionysos transforms himself into a bear to terrify the pirates who had kidnapped him. Bears are powerful creatures symbolising the wilderness, a domain closely linked to Dionysos. They are also known to consume honey, which holds religious significance in his cult (see Honey). Bears are also symbols of death and rebirth, as some hibernate during winter and wake in spring.

Big Cats

Dionysos is often depicted in the company of, or riding on, big cats such as leopards, lions, panthers and tigers. Lions are also a symbol of the goddess Cybele, who cured Dionysos of his madness and with whom he is closely associated.

The panther (which means all-creature) is said “to sweat perfume and drink wine.”

These animals are exotic and fearsome, representing his wild, foreign nature and terrible presence. In mythology, Dionysos frequently transforms into a lion. In The Bacchae, he causes the Maenads to perceive Pentheus as a lion—leading them to hunt and kill him in their frenzy.

Bulls

Dionysos is often identified as a bull god. He is linked to the Minotaur and transforms into a bull on several occasions in myth. In The Bacchae, Pentheus sees Dionysos with bull horns, and in Orphic mythology, Dionysos Zagreus takes the form of a bull before being slain by the Titans.

Bulls symbolise fertility, strength, and power, but also sustenance and sacrifice. They are associated with the element of water—an element closely tied to Dionysos. He is connected to waterways such as rivers, and River Gods are frequently depicted as bulls. (See Snake for more information.)

Camels

In some pottery artwork Dionysos is seen with or on a camel. This would be symbolic of his foreign nature and also popularity in the East.

Chickens / Cockerels / Cocks

In funerary votive offerings, Dionysos is often shown holding a chicken and an egg—symbols representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Cockerels are also phallic creatures, embodying virility and the generative forces of nature.

On the island of Delos, at the Stoibadeion—a Dionysian temple—two massive phallic pillars still stand. Carved into these pillars are reliefs of cockerels with phallic heads, reinforcing the symbolic link between sexuality, fertility, and Dionysian worship.

Elephants

Elephants were often considered near-mythical animals by the ancient Greeks. Their large sizes and unusual features are alien to other creatures in Europe. They are a symbol of India and are associated with Dionysos in artwork due to their exotic nature and appearance.

Deer

Deer are associated with Dionysos through the wearing of deerskin pelts by him and his followers, particularly the Maenads. The deerskin was a common symbol of a Bacchant—so much so that, according to historical records, it functioned almost like a uniform and was a requirement for participation in certain Dionysian rituals.

In The Bacchae, Maenads are described as suckling fawns from their breasts, highlighting their connection to the wild and maternal aspects of nature. According to myth, the infant Dionysos was also wrapped in a fawn skin to protect him from Hera’s wrath.

Dolphins

In Homeric Hymn 7, Dionysos is kidnapped by Tyrrhenian pirates. As punishment, he transforms them into dolphins. These creatures are considered sacred to both Dionysos and Apollo, who are joint patrons of Delphi. The name Delphi is associated with the Greek word delphis (δὲλφις), meaning dolphin, and womb as well as with the serpent or dragon said to guard the sanctuary.

Dolphins were viewed as good omens and playful guides. According to some myths, Apollo first arrived at Delphi riding on the back of a dolphin. Similarly, Arion—the Dionysian musician and inventor of the dithyramb—was kidnapped by pirates and saved by a dolphin after singing a hymn to Apollo.

In another myth, the child Dionysos was protected by his aunt Ino. Hera, in her wrath, cursed Ino’s husband with madness. He became violent and tried to kill his wife and son, Melicertes. Ino and Melicertes fled by leaping off a cliff into the sea. Though they died, they were deified: Ino became Leucothea, and Melicertes became Palaemon. According to legend, a dolphin rescued Melicertes’ mortal body and carried it to shore. In his honour, the Isthmian Games were founded.

Donkeys / Asses

Early depictions of satyrs often have donkey-like features. A notable trait shared by both donkeys and satyrs is their large penises, making donkeys natural symbols of fertility and sexuality. Their phallic symbolism aligns with Dionysos’ associations with virility and the life force.

In myth, Dionysos brings the drunken Hephaestus back to Olympus on the back of a donkey. Silenus, one of his oldest companions, is also frequently shown riding a donkey.

During the war with the giants, Dionysos led his forces into battle mounted on donkeys. The braying of the animals terrified the giants so much that they fled in panic. In honour of this victory, Dionysos placed the donkeys among the stars as the Asses constellation in the zodiac sign of Cancer (Eratosthenes).

Doves

A symbol of love and peace, doves are mostly associated with Aphrodite.

In mythology, the daughters of Apollo’s son Anios, were blessed by Dionysos and called the Oinotrophoi. They were able to produce oil, grain and wine from the earth at will. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, these daughters were kidnapped by Agamemnon. To save them from slavery, Dionysos turned them into doves.

Dragons

In Orphic mythology, Zeus, in the form of a dragon, consummates Dionysos Zagreus with Persephone. Later, Dionysos Zagreus himself transforms into a dragon to frighten the Titans.

Dragon symbolism is common in the Dionysiaca by Nonnus, where Dionysos is even described as observing the future in dragon form.

In ancient sources, dragons and serpents were often synonymous. Their shared symbolism—especially regarding transformation, power, and the chthonic—will be explored further under Snakes.

Frogs

The play Frogs is a comedy centred on Dionysos’ descent into the underworld. It takes its name from the chorus, which is depicted as frogs symbolising the dead. As the comedy unfolds, the chorus undergoes initiation and transformation and is referred to as the Initiates and thus has an association with the Mysteries. (Bowie, 228)

Frogs are amphibious creatures, living between two realms—water and land. This dual existence connects them to the chthonic world, similar to psychopomps guiding souls. Their life cycle also embodies transformation: beginning as water-bound tadpoles, they gradually develop limbs and emerge onto land. This process symbolises a katabasis (descent) and anabasis (ascent), reflecting cycles of death and rebirth.

Click to access 251.frogs.pdf

Foxes

The Northern Maenads, found in Thrace and Phrygia, were known as the Bassarides—meaning “fox-skinned.” This name refers to the pelts they wore as part of their Dionysian attire. Dionysos himself also has epithets connected to foxes.

One obscure myth, recorded by Pausanias, tells of the Teumessian Fox—a gigantic, invincible monster fox that terrorised Thebes. Though it is unconfirmed, some suggest Dionysos may have sent this creature. The fox is pursued by Laelaps, a magical dog that never fails to catch its prey. Yet, it cannot capture the fox because of its invincibility. This natural paradox caused chaos to order, which forced Zeus to intervene. He turned both animals to stone and placed them in the sky as the constellations Canis Major (Laelaps) and Canis Minor (the Teumessian Fox).

Foxes may also be linked to Dionysos due to their role as vineyard pests, they are known to eat grapes. They were hunted, and their skins worn in Dionysian costume as a form of vengeance—similar to the association with goats.

Goats

Goats are strongly associated with Dionysos and symbolise his paradoxical nature. They represent both his wild, destructive force and his role as a life-giving sacrificial figure.

In viniculture, goats were known to graze on grapevines after harvest, effectively “killing the grapevine.” This was viewed as a sin called Talion. As a result, the goat became a scapegoat, sacrificed for its “crime” during end-of-harvest celebrations. (Kerenyi, 249)

The word tragedy itself originates from goats. Before the opening of the Dionysia festival, a goat was sacrificed, accompanied by a sorrowful song known as the “goat-song” (tragos ōidḗ) (Aristotle).

Dionysos is also known by the epithet Melanaegis, meaning “Black-Goat Skin” for which he wore a black goat’s skin. This form of Dionysos was feared in Athens due to associations with death and disease (Kerenyi, 163).

Griffons

Griffons are common mounts for many gods, including Dionysos. They often symbolise the sun and gold. In Dionysos’ case, griffons embody a dual nature—they are part bird, part large cat; part airborne, part grounded. Symbolic of duality and paradox.

Jays & Magpies

This is a more obscure animal association, and some information online is modern UPG. However, Jays were sometimes connected with European magpies. As referenced in the below source:

“The jay is sacred to him as a chattering bird, and they call him ‘Foxlike’ [bassareus], from to talk [bazein], and Eiraphiotes, from venting one’s wrath [erin aphienai]. He is crowned with ivy because of its resemblance to the vine and because its flowers are like clusters of grapes (also, it brings down trees, creeping up through them and twining around their lower parts with some strength).”
– Lucius Annaeus Cornutus, Theologiae Graecae compendium

Parrots

Parrots were popular pets in Roman times. Although there are no classical texts explicitly linking parrots to Dionysos, Professor Richard Seaford suggests they may be Dionysian symbols. This is due to their ability to mimic human speech, their exotic origins in India, and their depiction in Roman art eating grapes—an important symbol connected to Dionysos (Seaford, 65).

Peacocks

These birds are primarily associated with Hera. However, due to their exotic and eastern origins, they are sometimes linked to Dionysos. This is notable in artwork, where peacocks are featured in Dionysian scenes. In addition, peacocks perform a dance during mating, and are known to have “eyes” on their feathers. (See Eyes)

Snakes

Snakes are sacred to many Greek gods, but they hold special significance for Dionysos. He is as much a snake god as he is a bull god. This duality is captured in a Bacchic saying: “Taurus draconem genuit et taurum draco” — “The bull is father to the snake, and the snake to the bull” (Kerenyi, 117). This reflects Dionysos’ transitional nature and his multiple births.

Like the bull, the snake represents power and danger. However, a snake’s strength lies not in raw force, but in its venomous bite. Snakes are paradoxical creatures: legless yet swift, cold-blooded yet capable of shedding their skin, making them powerful symbols of rebirth. Their cold-blooded nature also associates them with living death or the undead.

For these reasons, snakes are symbols of mystery and hidden knowledge—they are believed to understand the afterlife (Otto). In myth, a snake teaches Dionysos how to make wine, and snakes are often held or worn by Maenads. Like bulls, snakes are connected with water and moisture, further linking them to life and renewal (Otto, Plutarch).

Spiders

There are no known myths directly linking Dionysos with spiders. However, in Southern Italy, a unique folk dance called the Tarantella—also known as the spider dance—is associated with spider bites. According to folklore, a bite from a particular spider would cause mania, known as Tarantism, and the only cure was to dance. Some accounts claim this mania was contagious, with entire communities dancing and screaming for hours.

Some academics, including John Crompton, speculate that the Tarantella originated from the Bacchanalia. Dionysos was especially popular in Southern Italy, but in 186 BCE, the Roman Republic banned or suppressed his worship. It is believed that Tarantism and the accompanying dance represent an underground continuation of Dionysian rituals.

Wolves

Wolves receive a brief mention in The Bacchae, where Maenads are described suckling them alongside fawns. This predator-prey dynamic symbolises Dionysos’ paradoxical nature and his embodiment of duality.

There is evidence of “Werewolf Cults,” often dedicated to Apollo. These warrior cults were associated with maintaining law and brotherhood. However, some involved ecstatic rituals where Dionysos may have played a part. Professor Carl Ruck attributes these cults to the consumption of psychoactive mushrooms, suggesting they functioned similarly to the berserker warriors of Northern Europe.

https://www.academia.edu/44302575/The_Wolves_of_War_Evidence_of_an_Ancient_Cult_of_Warrior_Lycanthropy_Megalithic_Open_air_Sanctuaries_1

https://www.jstor.org/stable/43905684

Clothing

Chiton

The chiton is a tunic often worn by Dionysos. While originally unisex, it later became associated with femininity. How the chiton was worn, along with its patterns, indicated gender; Dionysos is frequently depicted wearing the tunic in a feminine style.

Deer Skin / Fawn Skin

Known as the Nebris, the fawn skin was a common symbol worn by followers of Dionysos. According to myth, the infant Dionysos was wrapped in a spotted fawn skin to conceal him from Hera’s wrath.

In the Thiasus regulations, attending rituals without wearing a Nebris could result in a fine, underscoring its importance as part of Dionysian identity.

Fox Skin

Bassaris is the name for the fox skin, which was a common garment and symbol worn by Maenads or Bacchants in the northern regions above Greece. (See Foxes for more information.)

Goat Skin

The aegis (or aigis) is a goat skin sometimes worn by satyrs and Maenads. Dionysos Melanaegis—meaning “Black Goat Skin”—is an epithet that possibly links Dionysos to Hades, reflecting a darker aspect of his nature.

Himation

The himation is a long piece of thick cloth worn as a cloak and is unisex in nature. Dionysos is sometimes depicted wearing one.

Kothornoi (Cothurni) (Buskin)

A high-heeled lace boot often worn by hunters and soldiers. Kothornos were associated with the theatre as they were worn by actors. The boot became a symbol of tragedy and the opposite of the sýkkhos, which was worn by comedic actors.

Leopard Skin

Dionysos is sometimes shown wearing a leopard skin. This symbolises his wild, exotic nature as well as his strength and power, reflecting the fearsome qualities of the leopard.

Lion Skin

The lion skin is most commonly associated with Herakles, who often appears in Dionysos’ retinue. In the play The Frogs, Dionysos dons a lion’s skin to impersonate Herakles.

Sýkkhos (Soccus)

A flat slipper, where we get the word “sock” in English. This footwear was opposed to the tragic Kothornoi, as the Sýkkhos was worn by comedic actors. These shoes were generally regarded as effeminate and informal.

Wreaths

Ivy or grape leaf wreaths were commonly worn as headwear by followers of Dionysos and remain one of his main identifying symbols. In humorism, ivy was considered a “cool” plant and was worn during drinking to balance the “heat” of wine, supposedly reducing the risk of intoxication. Priests of Dionysos and leaders of the Thiasus wore special gold or metal wreaths to signify their status.

Colours/Metal

Black / Red / White

These three colours often appear together in ancient magical practices. Black symbolises death and impurity; red represents human action and passion; and white signifies heaven and destiny. (Georgi Mishev) They may also relate to sacrifice—black as ash, red as blood, and white as bone.

In the Orphic Argonautika, Medea uses these colours to dye a magical robe for Orpheus. This enchanted colour is called Orphninos in his honour. These colours are also linked to theatre, as they were the primary hues used on masks.

Note: source is my previous writing, but includes citations
https://dionysianartist.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/orphic-colours/

Gold

Dionysos is closely linked to gold through the myth of King Midas. When Midas saves or captures Silenus, Dionysos offers him a wish in exchange for Silenus’s return. Midas requests that everything he touches turn to gold. The wish is granted, but Midas soon realises it is a curse—everything, including food and drink, turns to gold. In his panic, he embraces his daughter, Zoe (meaning “life”), and she too turns to gold.

Desperate, Midas begs Dionysos to revoke the wish. Dionysos instructs him to cleanse himself in the river Pactolus, whose waters wash away the golden touch, leaving the river’s sands rich with gold. This myth carries many interpretations; one favourite of mine is that the value of gold pales in comparison to the value of life.

As a metal, gold symbolised purity, royalty, and the sun. Dionysian priests were permitted to wear gold crowns and dress in regal colours, emphasising their sacred status.

Green

Obviously, most plants are green due to chlorophyll. Green is also the contrasting colour of purple on the colour wheel. Dionysos as the god of all vegetation and plant life, and is naturally associated with the colour green.

Purple

Known as Tyrian purple, this dye was extracted from precious sea snails. The process of dyeing cloth purple was labour-intensive and time-consuming, making the colour extremely expensive. It was forbidden for common people to wear purple, reserved instead for kings, emperors, and the priests of Dionysos.

Purple is associated with Dionysos partly because it resembles the colour of red wine. It is also the colour of his robes, as described by Nonnus in the Dionysiaca.

Saffron

Dionysos is frequently described as wearing saffron robes, a common attire among followers of Cybele. This connection links him back to her cult.

Constellations, Planets, Stars

Arcturus

Arcturus is a star in the Boötes constellation. According to Pseudo-Hyginus, Dionysos placed Icarius in the sky as this star. Icarius was an Athenian farmer whom Dionysos first taught to make wine. When Icarius shared his wine with his neighbours, they became intoxicated and mistakenly believed he had poisoned them, leading them to murder him.

(See Boötes, Canis Major, Sirius, and Virgo for related myths.)

Aries

According to Hyginus, while leading his armies in Africa and suffering from heat and thirst, Dionysos was guided by a ram to the springs of Ammon. In gratitude, Dionysos placed the ram among the stars as the constellation Aries.

Asses

As mentioned under Donkeys, Dionysos honoured the donkeys he rode during the war with the giants by placing them in the stars as the Asses constellation within Cancer.

Boötes

Related to Arcturus, some versions of the myth say Dionysos transformed Icarius into the Boötes constellation. In Ovid’s account, however, Dionysos places Ampelos in the heavens as Boötes.

Known as the herdsman, ploughman, or ox-driver constellation, Boötes carries strong agricultural symbolism.

Canis Major

In the myth of Icarius, his daughter Erigone became distraught when she could not find her missing father. Her dog, Maera, tracked down Icarius’s body and died of grief. Overcome with sorrow, Erigone took her own life. In honour of Maera’s loyalty and grief, Dionysos placed the dog among the stars as Canis Major, represented by the star Sirius.

The constellation is also connected to another myth involving the dog Laelaps, who hunted the Teumessian Fox. Zeus placed both creatures in the sky as constellations. (See Fox.)

Corona Borealis

Known as the Crown, this constellation was originally given to Dionysos by Aphrodite. He then gifted it to Ariadne as a wedding present. After her death, Dionysos placed the crown in the heavens as a lasting tribute.

In other versions of the myth, the crown was set among the stars when Dionysos saved the soul of his mother, Semele.

Delphinus

The dolphin constellation commemorates the event when Dionysos transformed the Tyrrhenian pirates into dolphins. To mark this, he placed a dolphin in the sky (Hyginus).

Hyades

The Hyades were five Naxian nymphs who cared for and protected the infant Dionysos. As a reward, he placed them among the stars as the Hyades cluster, located within the Taurus constellation. The Hyades are associated with rainfall and have a connection to the nearby Pleiades cluster.

Moon

Dionysos is indirectly connected to the moon. The lunar cycles reflect themes of life, death, and rebirth, often seen as the moon’s counterpart to the sun gods Apollo and Helios. Words like “lunatic” and “lunacy” derive from Luna, reflecting the ancient belief that the full moon could induce madness.

The moon also governs the harvest cycle and the Attic calendar. Dionysian rites and harvest celebrations were commonly held during full moons.

Pleiades

Known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades are among the most visible star clusters in the night sky and have long been important for sea travel and navigation. Their name in Greek means “to sail.”

In mythology, the Pleiades were nursemaids and teachers of the infant Dionysos during his protection on Mount Nysa. Known as the Nysiads, they later became the first Maenads and were placed in the heavens as the Pleiades constellation.

Sirius

Known as the Dog Star, Sirius is sometimes identified with Maera, the dog Dionysos transformed into a star (see Canis Major). Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and is associated with summer and the New Year.

The Attic calendar shares similarities with the Egyptian calendar, where Sirius marks the hottest time of the year—known as the “Dog Days.” This period also signals the New Year in the Attic calendar, making Sirius a powerful symbol of transition and renewal (Kerenyi, chap. 2).

Sun

Dionysos has strong solar associations as the life-giving source of our solar system. The seasonal solar cycles embody the themes of life, death, and rebirth, which are central to Dionysian symbolism. During winter, Dionysos retreats from the world, only to return in spring when his major festivals begin.

In later Neoplatonic theology, Dionysos is directly identified with Helios, considered the same god. He may also be seen as a chariot driver of the sun in the underworld—the Chthonic Sun. This idea is based on a Hellenised version of the Egyptian myth, where Ra (Apollo) guides the sun by day and Osiris (Dionysos) by night (Parmenides).

Taurus

While there are no direct myths linking Dionysos to the Taurus constellation, he is widely known as a bull god and is sometimes named Taurus. Several star clusters mentioned here are located within or near Taurus. The constellation is also associated with rain and the changing seasons, fitting themes of fertility and renewal connected to Dionysos.

Vindemitor (Vindemiatrix)

This is the Latin name for the Virgo constellation. Instead of meaning virgin, it translates to grape-gatherer/vintager. Which falls within the myth of Erigone (below).

Virgo

Erigone, the daughter of Icarius and the potential wife of Dionysos, became distraught when her father went missing. Her dog Maera, found Icarius’s body. In some versions of the myth, a great tree or grapevine grew from his body. Overcome with grief, Erigone hanged herself from the tree or vine.

The tragic deaths caused by the gift of wine enraged Dionysos, who cursed the people of Athens. However, he honoured Erigone by placing her among the stars as the Virgo constellation—the virgin he had intended to marry.

Elements

Air

Dionysos is closely associated with wind through his epithet Bromios, which means “roaring,” evoking the sound of wild winds. This connection also relates to breath and thunder. Changing winds symbolise the shifting seasons and often accompany Dionysos and his retinue.

Additionally, some of Dionysos’ lovers are said to be wind spirits.

Earth

As a nature god, Dionysos is deeply connected to the earth and the underworld. Several of his epithets reflect this bond. His wife, Ariadne, and mother, Semele, may also represent early (prehistoric) earth goddesses.

Fire

Dionysos is born from fire—where his mother Semele died, a permanent flame burned. Fire is an element he can control at will; in The Bacchae, his thyrsus is shown lighting up in flames. He is also associated with the sun, linking him further to the element of fire.

Lightning

Dionysos is born from lightning and has the power to command it. This is seen in The Bacchae, when he is imprisoned by Pentheus. His epithet Bromios is often associated with thunder, reinforcing his connection to storm and lightning.

Water

Dionysos is the god of water in all its forms, closely associated with lakes, rivers, and the sea. He governs moisture, marshlands, and swamps, reflecting his connection to the life-giving and transformative properties of water. (More information follows.)

Liquids

Honey

Honey was regarded as extremely sacred—a divine gift associated with heat, fire, the new year, and prophecy. The Delphic oracle was known as the “Delphic Bee,” potentially linking her to early bee goddesses who taught Apollo the art of prophecy.

Honey is second only to wine as one of Dionysos’ most sacred liquids. Carl Kerenyi hypothesised that Dionysos was originally a honey and mead god before becoming primarily a wine god. This theory is based on the fact that the Greek words for honey and drunkenness come from Proto-Indo-European roots, making them older than the Greek word for wine.

In literature, Dionysos is described as having honey-covered lips and a thyrsus dripping with honey. He is also related to Aristaeus, the god of beekeeping, whom Dionysos helped teach the art of apiculture.

Mead

Mead was a common drink in ancient Greece, often used as a safer alternative to drinking water since its fermentation killed bacteria and parasites. It was traditionally kept near the household hearth, linking it to heat and fire. As noted in the honey section, Dionysos may originally have been a mead god before becoming primarily associated with wine.

Milk

Milk symbolises life as the first liquid all mammals consume, and stars. In The Bacchae, the Maenads breastfeed animals and perform miracles such as drawing milk from the earth. In some sacrificial rituals, milk was used to purify altars and ritual knives.

In Greek mythology, milk is associated with the stars, such as the Milky Way (our galaxy). Hera is often attributed to creating the Milky Way when she was forced to breastfeed Herakles in her sleep. When she woke, she recoiled and splashed her milk across the night sky. Milk is thus associated with the stars. The Greek word for milk “Gala” is where we get the word “Galaxy”.

This is reflected in the saying: “theos egenoy ex anthroopoy, eriphos es gala epetes” — “You have become god from man; lamb, you fell into milk.” – which also translates to: as a kid (lamb), you become a milky initiate – thus the initiated have reached heaven.

Sap

Depending on the plant, sap can hold Dionysian symbolism. Walter Otto notes that the latex sap of the fig tree resembles semen, which may explain why the fig tree is sacred to Dionysos and linked to the phallus.

Pine tree sap was used on thyrsoi—the sticky resin acted as a glue and fuel. The head of the thyrsus was sometimes set alight. Additionally, pine resin was used in wine production as both a flavouring and a sealing agent.

Semen

The ancient Greeks understood semen as essential for procreation and thus closely associated it with life. While details about Dionysos’ so-called “nocturnal rites” are scarce, it is strongly suggested they involved sexual intercourse. As a phallic god, Dionysos is naturally connected to semen.

In mythology and ritual, water often serves as a symbol or euphemism for semen—rain, rivers, and the sea are common metaphors. Semen is also clearly linked to fertility. The English word sperm derives from the ancient Greek spérma, meaning “seed.”

Water

Water is the ultimate symbol of both life and death, essential to all existence. Dionysos is the god of moisture, swamps, marshlands, rivers, lakes, and the sea. He is often depicted on a ship or boat, which may reflect an early connection to maritime trade.

In mythology, Dionysos retreats into the sea for safety and is famously kidnapped by pirates. Water also represents the other world, often serving as a gateway to Hades. While life depends on water, excessive water can signify death, highlighting a duality in its symbolism.

Water’s association with Dionysos also includes phallic and castration imagery. Plutarch notes that a river can symbolise a phallus, and when it empties into the sea, it is “castrated.” Dionysian rituals echo this symbolism; during the Phallika festivals, the phallus of Dionysos is paraded through the streets before being thrown into the sea.

Wine

No other liquid epitomises Dionysos like wine—he is the god of wine itself. Wine represents both life and death and is considered a “hot” liquid in Humorism. It symbolises the blood of Dionysos and his love, originating from his first lover, Ampelos—the grapevine.

Wine also reflects Dionysos’ life cycle and the miracle of rebirth. When grapes are crushed, they are “killed,” and from their juice, fermented and transformed into wine—a process regarded as miraculous.

The mind-altering effects of wine were seen as an epiphany, with Dionysos believed to enter the body physically, bringing euphoria. Wine was crucial for early Bronze Age civilisations; as an antiseptic, it allowed people to live longer and in denser communities. It was a vital trade good and essential on sea voyages because it kept without spoiling. Wine was also used medicinally for healing and wound treatment, symbolising life and sustenance.

Like Dionysos himself, wine has a dual nature. Excessive drinking leads to drunkenness, misbehaviour, hangovers, illness, and even death.

Locations

Athens

Dionysos is often regarded as the second most popular god in Athens, after the city’s namesake, Athena. Athens hosted major festivals dedicated to Dionysos, including the City and Rural Dionysia, Lenaia, and Anthesteria. These festivals typically featured theatrical performances and competitions, which attracted participants from across the Greek world.

Athens is widely considered the birthplace of theatre and the cultural heart of performance in antiquity.

Boukoleion

Meaning “Cow Shed,” the Boukoleion was the palatial heart of Athens and the residence of the symbolic king, the Archon Basileus. Each year during the Anthesteria festival, an icon of Dionysos was paraded through the city to the Boukoleion.

There, a special ceremony took place in which the “queen” (Basilinna) assumed the role of Ariadne and symbolically married Dionysos, “consummating” the union. While the exact details of the ritual remain unknown, it was believed to revitalise and protect Athens for the coming year.

Delphi

The sanctuary at Delphi was shared between Apollo and Dionysos. Apollo ruled over Delphi during the summer, while Dionysos held dominion in the winter. A special group of Bacchants called the Thyiades roamed Mount Parnassus, guarding Delphi throughout the winter months.

Delphi is also said to be the burial place of the first Dionysos.

Hades

Dionysos is closely linked to the underworld, reflected in epithets such as Dionysos Khthonios. In mythology, he descends into Hades to negotiate with the god Hades for the release of his mother’s soul—and, in some versions, his wife’s as well.

In certain Dionysian beliefs, Dionysos makes a pact in the underworld to claim all souls that are devoted to him.

India

Before Alexander (the Great), India was seen as a distant, exotic land. Dionysos was believed to have been raised there, which accounts for his foreign and exotic traits and symbols. In later myths—especially those by Nonnus—Dionysos is said to have invaded and conquered India.

Alexander considered himself as following in the footsteps of Dionysos during his campaigns toward India.

Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is the prison of the Minotaur, where the hero Theseus must navigate to slay the monster. Ariadne aids Theseus by giving him a special thread, allowing him to find his way. After killing the Minotaur, Theseus escapes with Ariadne but abandons her on the island of Naxos, where Dionysos falls in love with and marries her.

The symbolism of the Labyrinth is ancient, originating from Minoan culture. Carl Kerenyi identifies the Minoan goddess known as “The Mistress of the Labyrinth” with Ariadne, suggesting she may have originally been a Great Goddess.

The Labyrinth symbolizes katabasis—a descent into the underworld in search of hidden knowledge (Mystery). The Minotaur can be interpreted as a manifestation of Dionysos: the monster that must be slain to gain enlightenment. In Orphic tablets, the connection between Dionysos and the Minotaur is reinforced by their shared name, Asterion, meaning “starry.”

Walter Otto notes that the Cretan Labyrinth may be related to the “Crane Dance” (Geranos), a special frenzy dance dedicated to Ariadne, based on a quote from Plutarch:

“After arriving in Delo while he was returning from Crete … Theseus danced with the young Athenians a dance still performed by the inhabitants of the island, consisting of twisting and twisted movements that reproduce the shapes of the labyrinth. Dicearchos states that this dance is called “Crane”. (Plutarch, Theseus, 21)

Lake Lerna

Once a lake south of Argos, Lake Lerna was believed to be the deepest lake and a gateway to the underworld. It was guarded by the Hydra before Herakles defeated the monster. According to myth, Dionysos used the lake as an entrance to Hades to rescue his mother’s soul.

In the story, Dionysos seeks the location of Hades’ entrance and asks a local shepherd, Prosymnus, for guidance. The shepherd agrees to help on one condition: he wishes to have sex with Dionysos. Dionysos consents, but only after he returns from the underworld. Both agree, and Prosymnus leads Dionysos to the entrance, where the god descends into the afterlife.

After his successful journey, Dionysos returns to the living to find that Prosymnus has died and been buried. To honour his vow, Dionysos fashions a phallus from fig wood and “sits” upon it atop Prosymnus’s grave.

This myth is primarily preserved by Clement of Alexandria, a Christian apologist and critic of paganism, leading to debate over whether the story was sensationalised to ridicule Hellenic polytheism and Dionysian Mysteries. Nevertheless, the myth may contain deeper symbolic meaning related to actual Mystery rites. Lake Lerna was a site of Mystery cult activity and is mentioned by pagan authors like Pausanias, who links the lake directly to Dionysian nocturnal rites.

Magna Graecia

Meaning “Greater Greece,” Magna Graecia refers to the southern region of Italy, including Sicily, which was colonised by the Greeks early in history. This region became a major centre for Dionysian worship, with Dionysos appearing as a chief deity among the Greek inhabitants.

Magna Graecia was especially known for its funerary pottery, which frequently depicts Dionysian scenes, and for its development of narrative-driven comedy. These Greek city-states are often credited with inventing the foundations of comedic theatre.

In 186 BCE, the Roman Republic suppressed the worship of Bacchus (Dionysos), possibly using this as a pretext to attack and assert control over Magna Graecia. According to Livy, the crackdown was severe—entire towns in southern Italy were depopulated during the purge.

Dionysian worship was eventually restored, and the region developed a unique form of Dionysian belief regarding the afterlife. It was believed that, upon death, men became Dionysos and women became Ariadne. In death, they were united in spiritual marriage, joining with Dionysos as a whole.

Mount Kithairon

Technically a mountain range marking the boundary between Boeotia and Attica, Mount Kithairon is sacred to Dionysos. It is the primary setting for most of the events in The Bacchae, including the site where Pentheus meets his death.

In antiquity, Thiasoi and Bacchants would make pilgrimages into the mountains to worship Dionysos, with Kithairon being a prominent location for ecstatic rites and wilderness ceremonies.

Mount Nysa

Mount Nysa is a mythical mountain and the childhood home of Dionysos. It is where he was taken to escape Hera’s wrath and repeated attempts on his life. On this sacred mountain, he was raised by nurses, various gods, and Silenus.

Some believed Mount Nysa to be a real place. Alexander (the Great) is said to have sought it out during his eastern campaigns, believing the mountain held historical significance.

Dionysos’ name may derive from this mythic location: Dio (god) + Nysos (Nysa), meaning “God of Mount Nysa.” (Please note: we do not know the true etymology of his name.)

Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is both a real mountain—the tallest in Greece—and the mythical home of the Olympian gods. Despite his divine heritage, Dionysos is exiled from Olympus for much of his early life. Forced to wander the earth, he is relentlessly pursued by Hera’s agents and would-be assassins.

However, another exiled god, Hephaestus, provides the key to Dionysos’ return. After imprisoning Hera on a magical golden throne, Hephaestus refuses to release her. Dionysos intervenes by visiting the forge of the smith god and getting him drunk. Then, riding on the back of a donkey, Dionysos escorts the inebriated Hephaestus to Olympus.

In the court of the gods, Hephaestus relents and frees Hera. This act of reconciliation ends the exile and tension between the gods, allowing both Hephaestus and Dionysos to claim their rightful place on Mount Olympus.

Naxos

Naxos is an island located in the mid-south Aegean, part of the Cyclades group. In myth, it is both the birthplace of Zeus and the nuptial island of Dionysos and Ariadne.

According to legend, after defeating the Minotaur, Theseus flees Crete with Ariadne but abandons her on Naxos. Distressed and alone, she is discovered by Dionysos, who falls in love with her and marries her.

In antiquity, Naxos was home to several temples and was considered one of the major cult centres of Dionysos.

Thebes

In mythology, Thebes is often regarded as the “first” birthplace and hometown of Dionysos. His mother, Semele, was a princess of the Theban royal family. The Bacchae is set in Thebes and tells the story of Dionysos returning home to avenge the dishonour shown to his mother by her family and the city’s rulers.

Historically, Thebes was a major cult centre for Dionysos, with several important temples dedicated to him. In one of these, he was represented as a pillar wrapped in ivy. Thebes was long a political and military rival of Athens and often resisted the influence of other Greek powers. Because of this rebellious history, Alexander—not so great in this case—razed the city, enslaved its population, and destroyed much of it, reportedly sparing only the temples, the house of Pindar, loyalists, and the priests.

Despite later attempts at reconstruction, Thebes never regained its former glory.

The Levant and the Middle East

Following Alexander’s campaigns in the Levant and the Middle East, his generals became kings of various regions. Dionysos grew in popularity among these Hellenistic rulers, leading to the establishment of Dionysian cult centres across the region. This spread of the cult can also be viewed through the lens of colonialism, particularly in relation to the Jewish people and Jerusalem.

In the Books of the Maccabees, the Jewish population accused the Greek Seleucid Empire of religious persecution. Reports include forced conversions, forced branded tattoos (stigma) of Dionysian symbols on Jewish bodies, exposure to pigs’ blood, and Seleucid interference in the administration of the Second Temple. These events culminated in the Maccabean Revolt. While the accounts in Maccabees are often considered sensational, they reflect the very real and widespread influence of Dionysian religion in the region—a trend that continued under Roman rule.

Major cult centres appeared across Anatolia (modern-day Türkiye), Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Syria, and Tyre (Lebanon). One of the most remarkable surviving temples is the Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek in Lebanon—one of the largest and best-preserved Roman temples in the East.

The Theatre

Given the popularity of Dionysos, one unique feature of his worship may seem puzzling: unlike other major gods, he had relatively few temples. However, nearly every city—and even smaller towns—had a theatre. The theatre is the temple of Dionysos.

Its architecture reflects Dionysos’ dualistic nature. Most theatres were built into hillsides, making them part natural, part constructed. They were open to the sky yet often included hidden passageways beneath the stage. In this way, the theatre was both inside and outside, embodying paradox—much like the god himself.

The theatre played a vital role in ancient society. It was not only a space for storytelling and entertainment, but also for emotional and communal catharsis. It brought citizens together to experience drama as a shared ritual. Beyond performance, the theatre was a civic hub: politicians addressed the public there, ceremonies were held, citizenship granted, and even the emancipation of slaves was proclaimed from the stage.

The theatre remains one of Europe’s most important cultural innovations—and its origin is inseparable from the worship of Dionysos.

Volcanoes

Direct mythological associations between Dionysos and volcanoes are limited, but visual connections exist, most notably a mural in Pompeii that depicts Dionysos, adorned in grapes, standing before Mount Vesuvius. This imagery may be symbolic rather than literal, linking Dionysos to the volcanic landscape of southern Italy.

Volcanoes offer rich symbolic parallels to Dionysos. The soil around volcanoes is exceptionally fertile and ideal for cultivating grapevines—an enduring reality, as vineyards still flourish on volcanic slopes today. This dual nature of volcanoes—both destructive and life-giving—mirrors the paradoxical qualities of Dionysos as a god of death and rebirth, ruin and fertility.

Musical Instruments

Dionysos is the god of rustic and ecstatic music, which has particular instruments associated with this kind of music.

Askaulos

The Askaulos was an early form of bagpipe, consisting of an aulos (reed pipe) attached to a wine skin and a blowpipe. The performer would inflate the wine skin by blowing into it, then control the air pressure and sound by squeezing the skin, allowing the aulos to produce continuous notes.

Aulos

The Aulos is a double-reed pipe that could be single or paired (double aulos), producing a long, droning sound similar to a bagpipe. It is the main instrument associated with Dionysos and was often played during his ecstatic rituals. The continuous drone made it ideal for inducing trance states, contributing to the altered consciousness central to Dionysian worship.

Despite its mystical associations, the aulos was also a martial instrument, used in military marches and dances due to its penetrating and rhythmic sound.

In mythology, the aulos was invented either by the goddess Athena or by the satyr Marsyas—depending on the version. Athena, displeased with how playing the instrument distorted her face when blowing into it, discarded it, and Marsyas found it. Proud of his skill, Marsyas challenges Apollo to a musical contest. Marsyas plays the aulos in a wild, rustic style, while Apollo plays his lyre in refined, melodic form. The Muses declare Apollo the winner, and as punishment, he flays Marsyas alive.

This myth is often interpreted as a symbolic clash between Apollo and Dionysos—order, restraint, and justice (Apollo) versus freedom, ecstasy, and chaos (Dionysos).

Cymbals

Known as Kymbala in ancient Greek, these were used in ecstatic music. They were made of bronze and helped break the droning of the aulos.

Dithyramb / Singing / Dance

The Dithyramb is the name of the primary Dionysian form of music and dance. It is also an epithet of Dionysos. A Dithyramb was typically performed by a solo singer, accompanied by music. The performer would spontaneously sing words, similar to modern freestyle improvisation. This form of expression was considered prophetic and revelatory (Socrates/Plato).

Another form of Dithyramb was performed by large choruses of men or boys. These had a more structured narrative and were often presented as competitions during Dionysian festivals.
Dithyrambs were accompanied by musical instruments such as the aulos, drums, cymbals, and more.

Drums

Known as Tympanon, most drums were hand drums and often seen in scenes illustrating Dionysian triumphs and Thiasus processions. The hand drum was most closely associated with the Cult of Cybele.

Tambourines

The hand drum, Tympanon, was sometimes a tambourine. Some Tympanon are illustrated with bells or cymbals attached to the frame of the drum.

Trumpets

Known as the Salpinx, these were long, trumpet-like instruments that came in various shapes and sizes. Their sound is described as a sharp, shrill blast, although Aristotle notes they could produce softer, smoother tones during celebrations. Carl Kerenyi writes that some thyrsoi were used as salpinx, meaning that the wand of Dionysos was, in some cases, a practical musical instrument.

Numbers

Number associations with Dionysos are somewhat debatable, as we don’t have much direct writing discussing this; it is possible he can be associated with all numbers and is infinite.

One

He is called the First Born and The One.

Two

Dionysos is Dual-Natured, Two-Horned, Dual-Shaped, Twice Born. (Orphic Hymns) Some of his festivals were celebrated biennially, this was because certain wines took two years to complete fermenting.

Three

He is also called Thrice Born and Triennial (Orphic Hymns). The first letter of his name is Delta ∆, a triangle; there is speculation that the symbol represents a holy trinity of sorts for Dionysos.

Seven

Proclus on the Timaeus discusses that Apollo and Dionysos share the number seven.

“For he (ed. the Dimiourgós = Demiurge, Δημιουργός) divides the soul into parts, harmonizes the divided parts, and renders them concordant with each other. But in effecting these things, he energizes at one and the same time Dionysiacally [i.e. Bacchically] and Apolloniacally. For to divide, and produce wholes into parts, and to preside over the distribution of forms, is Dionysiacal; but to perfect all things harmonically, is Apolloniacal. As the Demiurgus, therefore, comprehends in himself the cause of both these Gods, he both divides and harmonizes the soul. For the hebdomad (= seven, ἑβδομάς) is a number common to both these divinities, since theologists (Orphic) also say that Bacchus (Βἀκχος) was divided into seven parts: Into seven parts the Titans cut the boy. And they refer the heptad (group of seven) to Apollo, as containing all symphonies. For the duple diapason (ed. a rich outpouring of harmonious song) first subsists in the monad (one = μοναδ), duad (two = δυάς), and tetrad (four = τετράς), of which numbers the hebdomad (ed. seven = ἑβδομάς) consists. Hence they call the God Hebdomagetes (Ἑβδομαγενής), or born on the seventh day, and assert that this day is sacred to him.”
(Thanks to Fabian MacKenzie for providing this source.)

The number seven from Proclus, represents both division and harmony, healing and division, containing everything in it.

Additional seven associations:
The Corona Borealis (Crown of Ariadne) was given to Ariadne as a wedding gift by Dionysos (seven stars). The seven Pleiades were nurses to Dionysos. The seven youths and maidens given to the minotaur. When Dionysos is dismembered and eaten by the Titans he is cut into seven portions, legs, arms, torso, head and penis.

Objects

Amethyst

The name of this crystal comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning “not to intoxicate.” In Humorism, it was believed that wearing the gemstone or drinking from vessels made of it would prevent drunkenness. Two ancient sources link the stone to Dionysos: Nonnus writes, “To Dionysos alone had Rheia given the amethyst, which preserves the winedrinker from the tyranny of madness”, and Plato the Younger says, “The stone is an amethyst; but I, the tipler Dionysus, say, ‘Let it either persuade me to be sober or let it learn to get drunk.’”

The story of Dionysos creating the stone is a later myth invented by the French poet Rémy Belleau (1528–1577). In this pseudo-myth, Bacchus tries to seduce or kill a chaste maiden named Amethyste. She flees and prays to Diana for protection, who turns her into white crystal. Bacchus, realising his error, pours wine over the stone, staining it purple.

Ash

Symbolic of life and death. Volcanic ash soil is ideal for growing grapevines and other crops due to its rich nutrients. At the same time, ash is associated with death, as many people were—and still are—cremated. This connects to rebirth, as life can emerge from ash.

In Orphic mythology, after the Titans slay and consume Dionysos, Zeus avenges him by striking them with a thunderbolt. From their ashes, humanity is born—imbued with one part Titanic nature and one part Dionysian.

In viniculture, grapevines are often burnt after harvest. This process produces a distinctive ash pigment known as Vine Black, which has been used in art and cosmetics for eons.

Boats/Ships

In artwork, Dionysos is often depicted on a ship, usually referencing Homeric Hymn 7, in which he is kidnapped by pirates. He was also paraded on a ship during festivals. In these processions, his icon—or a living actor portraying Dionysos—would stand on a ship with wheels attached, paraded through the city like a float in Mardi Gras. The wheeled ship, sailing on land, symbolises his paradoxical nature.

This form of procession may have its origins in Egypt. During festivals, ancient Egyptians would sail icons of certain gods along the Nile. Upon reaching a temple, the boat would be lifted by hand and carried in a ceremonial procession to the temple entrance.

Chalk

Calcium carbonate is composed of the fossilised bones and shells of ancient sea creatures accumulated over millions of years. In agriculture, it is used as a paint to protect trees from parasites and disease. It also serves as a sealant for buildings and roads in Greece.

According to Aristotle, the first comedic actors painted their faces with chalk to conceal their features. In Orphic mythology, the Titans similarly used chalk to disguise themselves in order to approach and deceive the young Dionysos.

Cup

Dionysos is often depicted holding a wine cup, ready to drink. While this is a practical symbol, it may also carry a deeper meaning. In Wicca, for example, the cup or chalice represents femininity, fertility, and life—it is the counterpart to the Athame (dagger), which symbolises masculinity and the phallus.

In ancient Greek culture, the cup symbolised both life and death. In life, it offered sustenance and pleasure; in death, it often accompanied the deceased in burial. It was common for families to keep a child’s first cup, and if the child died young, the cup would be buried with them. Due to high childhood mortality rates, these cups now form one of the largest categories of grave goods found from antiquity.

Eggs

In funeral votive offerings, Dionysos is often depicted holding an egg, symbolising the potential for new life and rebirth. A common ancient symbol is the so-called Orphic Egg—an egg encircled by a snake. This image is believed to represent the Cosmic Egg, a motif found in Proto-Indo-European religions. It symbolises the universe: when it breaks, the shell forms heaven and the underworld, while the yolk becomes the earth. This connects to the Orphic god Phanes, who is depicted emerging from the egg. Phanes is sometimes considered a Proto-Dionysos.

Eyes

Dionysos is often depicted on pottery with exaggerated or bull-like eyes. Some drinking cups even feature large, stylised eyes. So-called “Eye Cups” recreate a mask when the drinker uses it. This reflects the belief that eyes could ward off evil—a form of apotropaic magic. Dionysos, in this context, is associated with protection. Traditions surrounding the “evil eye” are still practised throughout the Mediterranean today.

Hair

When a child reached an important age milestone, parents would cut a lock of hair and offer it to Dionysos as a gift. Similarly, when young men first grew their beards, this was seen as a sign of coming of age and the beard was cut and offered. Thus, hair symbolises transition, growth, and change.

Dionysos is often depicted with long, flowing hair worn in a feminine style. In the Bacchae, Pentheus mocks Dionysos for looking like a girl. His hair reflects both his gender-crossing traits and his rebellious nonconformity.

Masks

Dionysos is a god of masks. Walter Otto suggests that Dionysos was originally worshipped as a mask mounted on a pole or tree. Masks represent dual realities: the outward face seen by others, and the inner perspective of the wearer. This duality reflects Dionysos’ paradoxical nature. Masks allow the wearer to adopt a new persona and explore emotions that might otherwise be unfamiliar or repressed.

Meat

Dionysos and his followers, such as the Maenads, are associated with the rites of sparagmos (tearing apart) and omophagia (eating raw flesh), particularly in myth and Orphic tradition. These acts are sometimes interpreted as forms of initiation, symbolising a direct encounter with the god’s own death and rebirth. In this context, the sacrificial victim—often an animal—is seen as a temporary embodiment of Dionysos. By consuming its flesh, participants symbolically commune with the god. (Kerenyi)

Regarding the Orphics, apart from the concept of reincarnation, one of the reasons for not eating beef is that it is Dionysos. They also had prohibitions on the way meat was cooked. It could not be boiled and then roasted, as this was the manner the Titans cooked and ate Dionysos.

It is contested by scholarship that omophagia ever occurred, but some Dionysian cults may have included consuming raw beef as part of initiation into the Dionysian Mysteries. (Seaford, 24, citing and inscription from Miletos)

Mirror

The mirror is a complex symbol of Dionysos, representing both his identity and his life and death. It is the object that leads to his demise. When Dionysos gazes into the mirror, he sees himself infinitely reflected—an endless paradox. As he becomes mesmerised by his own image, the Titans seize the moment and tear him apart.

The mirror reflects his duality and serves as a symbol of the other world, the afterlife. Mirrors always show a reversed image, meaning we never see reality itself, but rather a reflection—something close yet distorted. In mythology, lakes and still waters are often considered mirrors and serve as gateways to the other side, including the underworld.

In Neoplatonism, the mirror also symbolises the soul and its transmutation.

Plotinus says: “the souls of men see their images as if they were in the mirror of Dionysus and they happen to be on that level by jumping from above, but they are not torn from their own principle and intellect.”

Macrobius states:
“The members of the Orphic sect believe that the material intellect is represented by Bacchus himself who, born of a single father, was torn apart into separate parts. In his sacred rites, he is portrayed as being dismembered at the hands of irate Titans and emerging again safe and sound from the Titan’s buried members. The explanation to this was that the nous or mind, by offering its undivided state to the indivisible, fulfils at the same time its earthly functions and does not abandon its secret nature.”

David Hernández de la Fuente explains:
“Therefore, the death of Dionysus, who is divided into many pieces after seeing his reflection in the mirror, functions as an allegory for the transition from unity to the multiplicity of the material world.” (Dionysus and Politics, chap. 11)

Phallus

Dionysos is an unusual ithyphallic god. Though strongly associated with the phallus, he is rarely depicted with an erect penis or shown in sexual acts. Instead, it is his followers who are portrayed as erect and sexual. Even in Satyr plays and comedies, actors wore leather phalli—except the one playing Dionysos. (Kerenyi, 285)
When Dionysos was depicted as phallic, it was typically the phallus itself. During Dionysian festivals, a large phallus—often adorned with wings and eyes painted on its head—was carried or drawn on a cart. This phallus was paraded through the countryside and city before being ceremonially thrown into the sea, symbolising Dionysos’ castration. (Larson, 129)

The phallus is a complex and powerful symbol representing death, destruction, family, fertility, life, magic, manhood, moisture, Mystery, power, and protection.
As a fertility symbol, it represents life itself. Its association with manhood and strength made it a protective charm, worn as amulets, painted on buildings and shields, and sculpted into stone masonry. It was also among the objects displayed and sacrificed during Mystery rites. Myths of Dionysos involving castration and restoration link the phallus to acts of magic and power. The transformation of the penis from soft to erect is itself seen as a magical act.

As noted in the Water section, the phallus symbolises water and moisture; it is like a river sustaining plants and trees (Plutarch). Trees, being phallic symbols themselves, also relate to this theme, and cutting them down is akin to castration (see Pine Tree).

Because the phallus enters and exits orifices during sexual intercourse, it carries psychopomp qualities. It undergoes katabasis (descent) and anabasis (ascent), making it a symbol of death and rebirth.

Pinecone

Recent academic studies have questioned the significance of the pinecone to Dionysos (Olszewski) (see Thyrsus). However, some ancient sources do acknowledge its importance. The pinecone symbolises fire, rebirth, and regeneration. It may also represent a human head, as myth and imagery often depict a human head atop the Thyrsus.
In modern Sicily, there is a tradition of gifting a ceramic pinecone to newlyweds. While unconfirmed, this custom may have Dionysian origins.

Swings

During the Anthesteria festival, on the day of Choës, young women coming of age would signal their availability for marriage by swinging on a hammock-like swing called an Aiora. While this ceremony was festive, it had a darker origin.
According to mythology, Dionysos taught a farmer named Icarius how to make wine. Icarius shared it with his neighbours, who, unfamiliar with intoxication, believed they had been poisoned and killed him. His daughter, Erigone, searched for her father and, upon finding his body, hanged herself in despair. Dionysos, who loved Erigone and wished to marry her, cursed the town with a plague after these tragic events. Young women began hanging themselves, and to appease Dionysos, a swinging festival was established. The swings symbolically represent the death of Erigone.

Kerenyi has some interesting observations regarding swinging:

 “Swinging is also a natural magical action, for it artificially helps the swinger to attain an extraordinary state, hovering mid-air in a kind of ecstasy.”
“In this it so “more magical” than drinking wine. Between the two there is a kingship, but swinging involves still another element: an approach to the sky, to the sun and moon.
The gloomy interpretation of the swinging […] [is to] atone for the death of Erigone by an epidemic of self-hanging […] the swinging was a substitute for this punishment.”
(Kerenyi 156-158)

Thyrsus

The thyrsus is a magical wand and weapon associated with Dionysus and his followers, serving as one of his key symbols.

In early depictions, it often appears as a simple ivy-wrapped stalk of flowering giant fennel (Ferula communis). However, later artwork portrays it with a distinctive tip, usually a ball of ivy or what appears to be a pinecone. Some debate exists over whether this tip was actually a pinecone or an artichoke (Olszewski). Regardless, it seems that any staff wrapped in ivy could be recognised as a thyrsus.  In the Greek Anthology, it states that a Bacchant’s staff was pointed with a pinecone:

“Evanthe, when she transferred her hand from the unsteady service of the thyrsus to the steady service of the wine-cup, dedicated to Bacchus her whirling tambourine that stirs the rout of the Bacchants to fury, this dappled spoil of a flayed fawn, her clashing brass corybantic cymbals, her green thyrsus surmounted by a pine-cone, her light, but deeply-booming drum, and the winnowing-basket she often carried raised above her snooded hair.”
(Greek Anthology, Phalaecus, 6.165)

The thyrsus is mentioned in literature, though the description of it is vague. In the Bacchae, it is described as an “ivy spear” and “fennel stalk”. It features as an item that can perform miracles and can be used as a deadly weapon.

Pentheus is slain by the thyrsus, beaten and torn apart by Maenads, with his severed head mounted on top of the staff. In addition to being a weapon, it can also be used as a magical wand. Euripides describes some of the miracles of Maenads wielding a thyrsus, such as drawing milk, wine and honey from the earth and stones. Dionysos’s thyrsus also glows as if on fire towards the climax of the play.

The duality of the thyrsus as a weapon and a wand that creates sustenance is symbolic of the two-fold nature of Dionysos as a god of life and death.

Speculation: due to the nature of the staff, a wand with a head on the end, and the creative and destructive properties of the staff, it may be considered a phallic symbol.

Toys

Known as the Toys of Dionysos, these were children’s toys given to Dionysos-Zagreus by the Titans in Orphic mythology. The toys were meant to lure Dionysos from his protected home so the Titans could attack and kill the young god. The last toy was a mirror, which reflected his divine radiance. Mesmerised by his own image, Dionysos let down his guard, allowing the Titans to strike.
No complete list of the toys survives from antiquity, but various sources suggest there were ten. These toys are mentioned as Mystery objects and may have been used in magical practices and divination. The known potential toys are (in alphabetical order):

• Apple/Mela
• Ball/Sphaira
• Bull-Roarer/Rhombos
• Knucklebones (dice/jacks)/Astragaloi
• Mirror/Esoptron
• Puppet (doll)/Paignia kampesiguia
• Rattle/Krotala
• Tuft of Wool/Pokos
• Wheel/Trochos
• Whip Top (spin top)/Strobilos

Wineskin (Wine Sack)

Known as the Askos and made from goat skin, these sacks are often shown being carried by satyrs in pottery imagery. They served a practical purpose for carrying wine but were also used as musical instruments (see Askaulos) and for games. During Dionysian festivals, the game Askolia involved inflating empty wineskins with air. Drunken participants would hop and dance on the skins, which were unbalanced and oiled, causing players to fall off.

Winnowing Basket (winnowing fan)

Known as the Líknon, meaning “cradle,” the winnowing fan is an agricultural tool used to separate chaff from grain. It was also used literally as a cradle to hold babies. This tool became associated with the Dionysian Mysteries, as the separation of grain symbolised purity and refinement. During processions, these baskets were used to carry and conceal Mystery objects, which were ceremoniously revealed during rituals. (Kerenyi, 44)

Plants

It should be noted that Dionysos is the god of all plant life, making any plant or tree sacred to him. However, certain plants have specific historical associations with him.
Additionally, the Ancient Greeks did not classify plants by species as we do today. For example, the rose may refer to a variety of visually similar but botanically distinct plants.

Apple Tree

As the god of orchards, Dionysos is associated with apple trees. The apple appears as one of the Toys of Dionysos and was considered a Mystery object. The apple given to Dionysos is golden, linking it to the Hesperides—earth nymphs who guard a grove of golden apple trees. These apples are believed to grant immortality and are highly desired by the gods. One such apple, the Apple of Discord, sparked rivalry between Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera, ultimately leading to the judgment of Paris and the Trojan War. As such, apples symbolise divinity, immortality, desire, and greed.

Click to access CYPRUS_Symbolism_of_the_Apple.pdf

Artichoke

Beyond potential visual representations, there are no written sources directly linking artichokes to Dionysos. However, Professor Edward Olszewski argues that the “pinecone” tip of the thyrsus is, in fact, a giant wild artichoke. Native to Italy, this plant may have been used as a substitute for the fennel-based thyrsus found in Greece. Olszewski compares various visual representations of thyrsoi to support his argument, also noting that the artichoke blooms purple when it flowers—a colour associated with Dionysos.

https://www.amphilsoc.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/attachments/Olszewski.pdf

Bindweed

A general classification for creeping flowering plants like Ipomoea, Morning-glories, Moon Flowers and the Prickly Ivy. In general, all creeping, vine-like plants are sacred to Dionysos.

Cannabis

Sometimes known as Asterion, a name also shared with Dionysos, cannabis grew near the temple of Hera in Argos. Pausanias mentions it being harvested and burned as an offering. The Greek physician Dioscorides notes its use as a drug for treating headaches and stomach pain. It has been confirmed that cannabis was sometimes infused into wine. In regions north and east of Greece, such as Thrace and Scythia, cannabis was ritually smoked—cultures often associated with Dionysian worship.

https://www.academia.edu/44689568/The_Cannabis_infused_Wine_of_Dionysus
https://www.reddit.com/r/dionysus/wiki/index/a/asterion/

Daffodil

A flower associated with the Flower Hero, Narcissus. Narcissus and Dionysos share a commonality in becoming mesmerised by their own reflection. Ovid includes Narcissus in Book 3 of the Metamorphoses, which is Dionysian in theme. Bulb plants were sometimes compared to Dionysos, as they resemble the scrotum (see Orchid). Their tendency to lie dormant underground and flower early in spring may also symbolise chthonic death and rebirth.

Fennel

Specifically, the giant fennel is the primary plant used for the Thyrsus, the staff or wand of Dionysos. Sometimes Dionysos is depicted carrying a flowering fennel, but more often it is topped with a pinecone-shaped object and wrapped in ivy. When dried, giant fennel has a strength and flexibility similar to bamboo. In mythology, Prometheus steals fire from Olympus by concealing it in fennel, and Dionysos lights his Thyrsus on fire—both acts suggesting an association with fire.

Fig

The fig is considered the second most beloved fruit of Dionysos, after grapes. The tree represents his duality, as its sap can be toxic to humans, while the fruit is safe to consume. It also holds strong connections to sexuality. Walter Otto notes that fig sap resembles semen, reflecting Dionysos’ association with moisture. According to myth, Dionysos carved the first dildo from fig wood. In antiquity, fig fruit were often used as a euphemism for the anus.

Figs are also called “gentle” or “mild” fruit and are thought to represent Dionysos’ softer side, though this may also be a euphemism. The title Meilichios is used for both Dionysos and the fig. This name is associated with his chthonic aspect, and also used as a title for Zeus, replacing Maimaktes, “he who rages,” known for a thirst for blood. (Harrison, 17)

“A wine jar, vine, a goat, a basket of figs, and then the phallus” – this is the description Plutarch gives us of the original simplicity of the Dionysiac celebration. (Otto, 164)

Grapevine

The grapevine represents Dionysos’ first love, Ampelos. A satyr and beloved companion of the god, Ampelos took on Dionysos’ persona and rode a bull while mocking the moon goddess Selene. In revenge, Selene sent a gadfly to sting the bull, enraging it. The bull threw Ampelos off and gored him to death. From his body, Dionysos grew the first grapevine, making it his most cherished plant and fruit.

The grapevine symbolises life, death, rebirth, warmth, and the sun. It is the counterpart to ivy and, in Humorism, is considered a “hot” plant. Grapevines require cultivation and care to produce a good harvest, making them a community plant. The vines flourish in the warm seasons but must be pruned back in winter to grow stronger, a cycle that mirrors the themes of life and rebirth central to Dionysos. This symbolism continues in the making of wine, where grapes must be crushed and fermented, transforming into something new.

Ivy

The counterpart to the grapevine, ivy is the second most significant plant associated with Dionysos. Known as Kissusa, it also serves as one of his epithets. In Humorism, ivy is considered a “cool” plant and is associated with winter, moisture, and death. It was believed to counteract the “hot” effects of wine and drunkenness, which is why it was commonly worn on the head during drinking.

In Thebes, Dionysos was worshipped as an aniconic, ivy-twined column (Otto, 153). The ivy leaf became a recognised symbol of the god and was considered so sacred that it was forbidden to bring ivy into the temples of Hera (Kerenyi, 186–187). Additionally, ivy leaf tattoos were reportedly forced upon Jewish people under persecution (Otto, 153, citing Maccabees).

Lily

The lily is like the Daffodil as it’s a seasonal bulb plant. Nonnus has reference to them as Dionysos swims:

“The god lifting his head and spreading his chest, paddled his hands and cut the golden calm. The banks free of waves spirted up self-growing roses, the lily sprouted, the Seasons crowned the shores while Bacchos bathed, and the flowing locks of his dark hair were reddened in the sparkling stream.”

Myrtle

The myrtle is a plant shared between Aphrodite and Dionysos. It represents love, beauty, and the afterlife. According to myth, Hades gifted the myrtle to Dionysos after he rescued his mother’s soul from the underworld. (Note: this story may be a modern invention, as the only source I could find is Roberto Calasso’s The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony, a contemporary retelling of Greek mythology.) Myrtle was also used to infuse wine with flavour.

Orchid

The myth linking the orchid to Dionysos is unattested in antiquity. However, the plant was known to the Romans, who may have named it Orchis, meaning “testicles,” in reference to the shape of its bulb.
A pseudo-myth first appeared in Le Jardinier Fleuriste et Historiographe by Louis Liger (1704). In this tale, Orchis was a satyr who attempted to rape a priestess of Bacchus. In revenge, Bacchus (or the priestesses) tore him apart. Orchis’s father prayed for his restoration, but only the orchid flower grew from his body. While this narrative parallels Greek and Roman flower hero myths, it appears to be a later invention with no known ancient sources.

Pine Tree

Pine is used as a general category for any species of pine tree. The most referenced is the Fir Tree. Dionysos is identified as a “tree god”. Plutarch said that the “Tree Dionysos” was worshipped almost everywhere in Greece. Pausanias mentions that the Delphic oracle ordered the Corinthians to worship Dionysos as the pine tree.

Cultic icons dedicated to Dionysos were crafted from pine and pine sap was used in winemaking and preservation. The earliest form of worship of Dionysos was a mask placed upon or atop a pine tree or a pole, the tree’s triangular shape giving a basic sense of a body. Walter Otto relates the pine to ivy as they are both plants and connected to winter.

In The Bacchae by Euripides, Dionysos instructs Pentheus to climb a pine tree (fir tree) to spy on the Maenads, once he is at the top, Dionysos brings the Maenad’s attention to the king and in a fury, they tear the tree down and kill Pentheus by ripping him apart. There may be a mystical connection between Pentheus and the pine tree, similar to Attis. Pausanias additionally mentions that the Corinthian icons of Dionysos were made from the very tree Pentheus sat upon.

The pine tree is featured in comparative mythology as being related to castration and dismemberment. This is likely due to Proto-Indo-European roots. Other mythic examples include Attis, Shiva (O’Flaherty), and Osiris (Frazer, chap. 43).

The pine tree has a long and rich history in mythology and religion as a symbol of life, death and rebirth. The evergreen nature of the tree’s needle leaves means it can continue to thrive even in extreme cold; thus, it is a symbol of winter and rebirth and is used to this day as the Christmas Tree.

Poppy

Opium has been used as an aesthetic since prehistory and is recorded in ancient Greek artwork and literature for medical, spiritual and recreational use. A more modern epithet of Dionysos is Dionysos Mêkônikos, Dionysos of the poppy. However, funeral votive statues feature Dionysos with poppies in his hair. As the god of liberation, poppies are a symbol of freedom from pain and suffering and death. Poppies are shown in artwork at the sanctuary of Eleusis, which suggests that opium may have been used during the Eleusinian Mysteries.

Pulses (Chickpeas and Legumes)

Dionysos Erebinthus (Erébinthos) is an apparent epithet of Dionysos and relates to any kind of peas, legumes, chickpeas and some cereals. This would be made as a dish called phaseli, which is a mix of pulses with figs. Epicharmus said “Bake some phaseli quickly, since Dionysos loves them.”

The word for chickpeas in Greek, Erébinthos, is attested in Zeniobius’ proverbs 3.83 and the medieval Suda (a Byzantine encyclopedia). It is a double entendre in Greek, meaning both a male’s sexual organ and pulse, chickpea. It is used as a proverb for worthless people by Zeniobius.

In addition, Chickpea Dionysos is a proverb for chickpea soup, which is considered a worthless dish for useless people.

Like the Bindweed, Erebinthus is used as a general word for related or similar plants, including peas and some beans. These plants are often vines and resemble the grapevine in appearance, requiring support to grow.

https://www.academia.edu/95185941/Beans_boats_and_archaeobotany_A_new_translation_of_phasolus_or_why_the_romans_ate_neither_kidney_beans_nor_cowpeas

Rose

Pindar claims that roses and violets are especially favourite flowers of Dionysos, explaining that people would wear roses in their hair during the festival of Dionysos and Semele. The Anthesteria included a day of flowers, which likely included roses. Nonnus also includes descriptions of roses, particularly involving scenes of love. Roses have always been associated with love; they are also the favourite flower of Aphrodite.

Violets

As mentioned with roses, violets are a favourite flower of Dionysos. The flowers’ colour is obviously purple. Violets also relate to Attis and the Cybele cult. In Phrygian mythology, when Attis died, droplets of his blood sprouted violets. During festivals dedicated to Attis and Cybele, a pine tree was cut down, and violets were hung from the tree. Violets have similar associations as the pine tree; they are symbolic of sacrifice, life, death and rebirth.

Bibliography

• A.M. Bowie, Aristophanes – Myth, ritual and comedy, 2005
• Aristotle, Poetics, trans. by S. H. Butcher, 350 BCE
• Carl Kerenyi, Dionysos: Archetypical Image of Indestructible Life, 1976
• Cecil Maurice Bowra, Pindar, 1964
• Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks, trans. Butterworth, 2nd Century CE.
• Edward Olszewski, Dionysus’s Enigmatic Thyrsus, 2019
• Euripides. The Tragedies of Euripides, The Bacchae, trans. T. A. Buckley, 405 BCE
• Filip Doroszewski and Dariusz Karlowicz (editors), Dionysus and Politics: Constructing Authority in the Graeco-Roman World, 2021
• James Frazer, The Golden Bough, 1922
• Jane Ellen Harrison, Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion, 1903
• Jennifer Larson, Ancient Greek Cults: a guide, 2007
• Nonnus, Dionysiaca, trans. W. H. D. Rouse, 4th to 5th CE
• Ovid, Metamorphoses, trans. Arthur Golding, 8 CE
• Pausanias, Description of Greece, trans. Jones, W. H. S, 2nd Century CE
• Plutarch, Isis and Osiris, trans. Frank Cole Babbitt, 2nd Centtury CE
• Richard Seaford, Dionysos, 2006
• The Homeric Hymns, attributed to Homer, trans. Jules Cashford, 7th Century BCE
• Walter Otto, Dionysus: myth and cult, 1933
• Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, Dionysus and Siva: Parallel Patterns in Two Pairs of Myths, 1980