2020-12-21 Mon

Luna, as the Romans called the goddess Of Moon was the beautiful and bewitching lady. Together with Diana and Hecate, they together formed a triad. This triad represents heaven, earth and the underworld.

Moon goddess is also called Selene and Artemis in Greek mythology. This Moon goddess also represents the crescent moon which is depicted on sculptures or coins. The above-mentioned trio of moon goddess represents the feminine polarity as well as the three phases of womankind; childhood, marriage life and old age.

The concept of trinity is also seen in Christianity and Indian Philosophy which is an embodiment of three in one. Luna is often depicted as a pale woman riding in a silver chariot across the sky. Her temple on the Aventine Hill in Rome was destroyed in the Great Fire around 64 C.E.

This Roman Republic silver Denarius depicts Goddess Luna with crescent near her head; she is riding a Biga (chariot with two horses or bulls) with an image of sea killer below it. The legend Romano is depicted in the exergue.

Goddess Luna is said to be the Queen of heaven and wildwood in Roman mythology and also titled as the Divine Huntress, Protector of animals and the Lady of Beasts. In many other cultures, the moon is depicted by a God e.g. Mao the Lunar deity in Kushan Coins.

In Hindu mythology, the moon is represented by the God ‘Soma’ or ‘Chandra’. Lord Shiva the main God among Hindu Trinity has a crescent on his head and is also called ‘Chandrasekhar’: As bright as the moon (referring to his most beautiful incarnation on the day of his marriage with Goddess Parvati).

Image Courtesy: AmericanNumismatic.Org