Ecstatic Dance

Woman dancing in ecstasy, her head thrown back, back arched, and arms pumping. There appears to be a butterfly or labrys above her, and a shrine in the background. Seal from Knossos, circa 1400.

 
woman dancing in ecstasy, her arms thrown back and back arched

Sacramental dancer on stone seal from Vapheio, near Sparta

 
woman dancing looking to sky


A bare-breasted priestess brandishes a sword and staff in this stone Cretan seal.

 
=red stone seal with woman holding  staff and sword

Cretan women circe-dancing, and the one in center playing a lyre. From Palaikastro, Crete, around 1300-1100.

 

circle of dancing women, one in center playing lyre

 

Another view of the circle dance. Numerous examples of female circle dances are known from the ancient Aegean.

 

circle of dancers

Frescos of Mycenaean Greece

 

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