Transgender Aphrodite - Ancient History Fangirl (2024)

Posted on November 25, 2021 by Jenny Williamson in Podcasts | 0 Comments

Despite inspiring desire in people of all genders, Aphrodite is often depicted as a cisgender woman. But not always.

Ancient writers tell us of mystery cults that worshipped Aphrodite as gender nonbinary, intersex, or as a transgender woman. And when you delve into her most ancient roots, there’s an even older tradition of worship led by transgender priestesses.

Join us as we uncover the historical and mythological evidence for a transgender Aphrodite.

Get the show notes here.

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Transgender Aphrodite - Ancient History Fangirl (2024)

FAQs

Is Aphrodite nonbinary? ›

For Aphrodite, as the syncretic Greek version of the older Sumerian and Babylonian Astarte and Inanna, has never been a strictly female goddess. They have always occupied a place that, using the lens of queer theory, we can now label as somewhere between trans, non-binary, and intersex.

What gender is Aphrodite? ›

While that approach has certainly yielded important information on gender dynamics in late-Classical Greece, it tends to overlook the fact that though this Aphrodite is female, she is also divine.

What was Aphrodite's appearance? ›

Aphrodite is usually shown as a blonde woman, more beautiful than even seen, possibly with straight hair. However, it's possible that her hair was actually black, as the other goddesses also had black hair or at least an auburn color, Her eyes could be green or brown, but more likely, light ocean blue.

What was Aphrodite's punishment? ›

Every god—even Zeus himself—wanted this beautiful goddess as his wife. Some stories relate that Aphrodite was too proud and rejected them all. To punish her, Zeus had her marry Hephaestus, the lame and ugly god of the forge. This good-natured craftsman built her a splendid palace on Cyprus.

Which Greek god has 2 genders? ›

Hermaphroditus is the Greek god of effeminacy and the origin of the word hermaphrodite, an intersex person born with male and female characteristics.

Did Aphrodite have a male form? ›

Aphroditus or Aphroditos (Greek: Ἀφρόδιτος, Aphróditos, [apʰróditos]) was a male Aphrodite originating from Amathus on the island of Cyprus and celebrated in Athens. Aphroditus was portrayed as having a female shape and clothing like Aphrodite's but also a phallus, and hence, a male name.

Was Aphrodite chubby? ›

Aphrodite is depicted as a woman in great shape: slim, with a flat abdomen, perky medium-sized breasts, proportionate buttocks and has wavy hair coiffured in a bun, the style of the time.

Is it OK to name someone Aphrodite? ›

Aphrodite is arguably one of the most recognized names in the entire Greek pantheon. As the ancient goddess of love and beauty, she has been the subject of art and literature since time immemorial. So you can be sure that baby Aphrodite will be an instant hit wherever they go!

What was Aphrodite's curse? ›

Aphrodite had a short temper

Aphrodite was no exception, and was at times short tempered and vengeful. One myth passed down is that Aphrodite cursed women of Lemnos because they refused to make sacrifice to her. Aphrodite's curse was that the women should smell so badly their men would refuse to have sex with them!

What is Aphrodite's skin color? ›

As a goddess of beauty, Aphrodite was usually given very white skin in both graphic and textual art. Whiteness was generally seen as a desirable part of femininity in Ancient Greek culture.

How many kids did Aphrodite have? ›

Aphrodite
ConsortHephaestus, Ares, Poseidon, Hermes, Dionysus, Adonis, and Anchises
ChildrenWith Ares: Eros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Pothos, Anteros, Himeros, With Hermes: Hermaphroditus, With Poseidon: Rhodos, Eryx, With Dionysus: Peitho, The Graces, Priapus, With Anchises: Aeneas
11 more rows

What color hair did Aphrodite have? ›

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, was described as having blonde hair. In the Greco-Roman world, blonde hair was frequently associated with prostitutes, who dyed their hair using saffron dyes in order to attract more customers.

Why did Aphrodite cry? ›

The myth goes that Adonis was gored by a wild boar during a hunting trip and died in Aphrodite's arms as she wept. His blood mingled with her tears and became the anemone flower. Aphrodite declared the Adonia festival to commemorate his tragic death, which was celebrated by women every year in midsummer.

What was the worst thing Aphrodite did? ›

Aphrodite's manipulative character is most apparent in the story of Helen, queen of Sparta, whom she offered as her bribe in the Judgment of Paris, inciting ten years of dreadful war at Troy.

Why was Aphrodite crying? ›

' So, Aphrodite's Tears refers to that watchful presence; a mother yearning for her son to find happiness and a family of his own. But the theme of Aphrodite's tears also draws upon the story of Aphrodite and Adonis from Ancient Greek mythology. Adonis was one of Aphrodite's lovers.

What are Greek nonbinary pronouns? ›

many non-binary Greek speakers . use the plural pronouns αυτοί . Others, however, prefer το .

Is Athena non-binary? ›

Athena took a vow of chastity so as not to be used by anyone. She constantly (according to traditional Greek standards) takes on male roles, although she wants to be considered just as feminine as any woman. If we go back to our definition of non-binary I think we can draw some lines of correspondence.

Is Greek gender neutral? ›

The Greek gender system is not a sex-based gender system the way English is. This reality can be difficult to grasp for English speakers.

What is a male goddess called? ›

Devī (/ˈdeɪvi/; Sanskrit: देवी) is the Sanskrit word for 'goddess'; the masculine form is deva. Devi and deva mean 'heavenly, divine, anything of excellence', and are also gender-specific terms for a deity in Hinduism.

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