Demeter and Kore
According to Sicilian mythology, the Greek cult later became Siceliot by the (Greeks of Sicily), tells how Demeter or Cybele, daughter of Cronus and Rhea, was celebrated as the Great Mother, the divinity of nature, of crops and therefore of agriculture, and of the harvest.
In Roman mythology instead, her figure is represented by Ceres who from the union with Zeus, gives birth to the girl Kore, together with her protagonists of the famous myth of the 4 seasons.
The legend tells…
One day near Lake Pergusa in the province of Enna, a group of nymphs were picking flowers for garlands. Kore who was the brightest and most beautiful nymph, was kidnapped by the evil Hades, the god of the underworld who fell in love with her. Hence the famous “Rape of Proserpina or Persephone“.
Demeter, the mother of the girl Kore, begins to search for her daughter far and wide for days and days without finding her. So when she meets the messenger of the gods Hermes, who tells her what happened, the fury of the goddess causes winter, blocking the growth of crops, causing cold, frost and snow on the earth. This causes poverty among men who, impoverished, could no longer offer sacrifices to the gods, so Zeus, having tried in vain to calm Demeter, ordered Hades to bring the girl back to earth.
When does Kore become Persephone or Proserpina?
Kore in the kingdom of Hades ate the pomegranate, the symbol of the underworld and became the Queen of the underworld. For this reason she changed the name of Persephone (in Greek) or Proserpina for the Romans.
The myth of the 4 seasons
Luckily Kore eat 6 seeds and Zeus ordered her to live 6 months on earth with her mother.
According to the legend is the joy of Demeter that we have Spring and Summer.
While the rest of 6 months, we have the Autumn and Winter , when Persephone lives underworld with Hades.
Curiosity…
If you are in the town of Catania have a look to the “Fountain of Proserpina” by G.Moschetti in 1904, you’ll find near the Railway Station.
The territory of Enna is a hidden treasure of Sicily, places that enchant with their history, wild nature and delicious local cuisine!
Don’t wait any longer, book your trip and let yourself be fascinated by this unique destination in the world.
