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Mythology of Ikaria - Icarus and Daedalus Mythology

The worship of the gods, who came in Greece from Asia, began from the islands. Later it spread to mainland Greece also. Many of the myths were reported to the birth and upbringing of the gods in the pleasant and majestic surrounding of the islands. In almost all the islands, even the smallest, there are temples and shrines, as well as celebrations and ceremonies.

The myth of Dionysus
During one of the many versions, Ikaria was the birthplace of the god Dionysus. It is said that he was born in mountain Drakanos.

Artemis Tavropolos
Ikaria besides the place where Dionysus was born, (in mythology) was also goddess Artemis’ favorite place to stay.

The tradition says that the goddess went together with nymphs for hunting in Ikaria. There was of course a temple in her honour, in Nas.

Nymphs
Aside from their presence with the goddess Artemis, nymphs presented in many legends of the island. For example, Saint George, according to the legend, was the residence of Ipas.

Many of the names of the island come from the Nymphs. For example, the name of the village Arethusa, came from the bride Arethusa, Daphne from the nymph Daphne. There is also the Bay Bride.

It is told that in Na lived Naiads, nymphs who accompanied Dionysus.

Icarus and Daedalus
The best known and most closely connected with the island legend is no one other than the legend of Icarus. Icarus, the son of Daedalus, escaped with his father from the labyrinth of Minos using wings from feathers and wax. But Icarus flew too near the sun, so the wax melted and he fell into the Icarian Sea.

Asclepius
The ancient town of Therma eventually changed its name from "Thermae" to "Asclepius". This new name, which cleverly rushed the residents of the ancient Baths to get since they had the best sources, while putting their city under the protection of the new god of medicine, Asclepius, gave them a national character and recognition as "therapists".

Apollo
Apollo is associated with many legends of the island. One of them says that he was born in the "Holy Cave". He is associated with both the myth of Asclepius and the myth of Daphne. He was considered a god therapist. This is why his name was given to the Source Apollo.

Poseidon and Persephone
A special place in the worship of Ikarians had Poseidon and Persephone, who we can meet in scenes of islands currency.

 
Ikaria Island in Aegean
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