Dancing with the Goddess: Some Remarks on Different Ways to Interpret “Goddesses with Upraised Arms”

Zeman-Wiśniewska, Katarzyna

Dancing with the Goddess: Some Remarks on Different Ways to Interpret “Goddesses with Upraised Arms”

Abstract

The so-called Goddesses with Upraised Arms are figurines well attested in Cyprus from the Late Cypriot III down to the Classical Period (especially common during Cypro-Geometric I-II). They represent a standing female, sometimes wearing a tiara, with a long skirt and arms extended upwards. This paper reviews the varied explanations, which have been offered for the specific gesture that defines the Goddesses with Upraised Arms.The paper pays particular attention to the relationship between the raised arms posture and the ritual actions and gestures which may have accompanied cult practice in ancient Cyprus, including prayer, blessing, and the possible role of dance.These interpretations not only take into consideration the meaning of the posture, but the identification of the Goddesses with Upraised Arms as a blessing Goddess, several Goddesses, praying priestesses, or even dancing votaries

Keywords

Cyprus archaeology Bronze Age prehistoric religion figurines prehistoric Cyprus Mediterranean archaeology

Cypr archeologia epoka brązu starożytność starożytny Cypr

Citation

K. Zeman-Wiśniewska, 2016. Dancing with the Goddess: Some Remarks on Different Ways to Interpret “Goddesses with Upraised Arms”, in: A. Jacobs and P. Cosyns (eds.), Cypriot material culture studies from picrolite carving to Proskynitaria analysis. Brussels: Academic and Scientific Publications, p. 153-160