Apollo – God of Prophecy & Healing
Apollo is one of the most important and complex gods in Greek mythology. He is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Leto, a Titaness. He has a twin sister, Artemis, the goddess of hunting and the moon. He is the god of light, music, poetry, art, prophecy, healing, plagues, and more. He is also the leader of the Muses, the nine goddesses of inspiration. He is often associated with the sun, although he is not the same as Helios, the original sun god.
Apollo is a master of the bow and arrow, which he uses to hunt or to inflict diseases. He is also skilled in playing the lyre, a stringed instrument that he invented or received from Hermes, the messenger god. He is the patron of musicians, poets, and artists, who seek his guidance and favor. He is also the source of truth and wisdom, as he reveals the will of Zeus through his oracles. The most famous of these is the Oracle of Delphi, where a priestess named Pythia would deliver his prophecies.
Apollo has many stories and adventures in Greek mythology. He was born on the island of Delos, where his mother had to flee from the wrath of Hera, Zeus’s jealous wife. He killed the serpent Python, who guarded the sacred site of Delphi, and established his oracle there. He fell in love with many nymphs and mortals, such as Daphne, Cassandra, and Hyacinthus, but his love was often unrequited or tragic. He also had many children, such as Asclepius, the god of medicine, and Orpheus, the legendary musician.
Apollo was worshipped throughout Greece and beyond. He had many temples and shrines dedicated to him, where people would offer sacrifices or gifts of gold, silver, or animals. He was also honored in many festivals and games, such as the Pythian Games at Delphi or the Thargelia in Athens. He was usually portrayed as a handsome young man with long hair and a radiant smile. He was often accompanied by his symbols or attributes, such as a laurel wreath, a lyre, a bow and arrows, a raven, or a dolphin.
Apollo is a fascinating and influential god who represents many aspects of human culture and civilization. He is a symbol of light and beauty that can be both benevolent and destructive. He is a master of art and science who can inspire or challenge anyone’s creativity. He is a lover and a father who cares for his offspring. He is a god who guides us to seek and enjoy knowledge and harmony in all their forms.
The ancient festival in honor of Apollo has been revived with the modern Delphic Games. They were the sister games of the Olympics.
Apollo recommends:
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The Teams of Apollo
If Apollo was a fan of modern sports, he would support:
Sacred animal of Apollo
Ravens were the sacred animal and messenger of Apollo. With 2 Super Bowls, 2 conference championships and 6 division titles under their belt, Apollo would surely support the Baltimore Ravens.
Do I need to explain?
Although a smaller team in Cypriot football, Apollo would surely be a fan of the team named after him.
The Goddess of Stars
The Astros take their name from the Greek word for star, which is based on the name of the Greek Titan goddess of stars : Asteria.
Asteria eventually transformed into the island of Delos, where Apollo & Artemis were born, so clearly Apollo would be a huge supporter of the 2-time World Series Champions the Astros.
The God of the Sun
Apollo was also the god of the sun and light, along with the Titan Helios, so he surely would have been a fan of Slovenian basketball team Helios Suns.