#i still think native Greeks might be better for this opinion than a xenoi xD

[nysus-temple]

I'd like to request an opinion-based essay.

I saw the post about how you can picture the gods however you want. I'd like to know what you think of my theory:

How you picture the gods is usually influenced by your own appearance, idea of beauty, culture, and environment. For example, I am white, so most of my deities appear white to me because that is the skin I am most familiar with. My idea of beauty is rooted in the American idea of beauty because I'm American, and so on.

I'd genuinely like to know what you think!!!

I hope you have a good day

Greetings, hope you have a good day as well ! <3

Your theory is not that wrong, honestly. I can even give it several points in his favor, however, I feel that it falters in more things.

Let's see, it makes sense to see them from your own ideal of beauty, after all, it is how the Greeks themselves saw them back then. They had a canon ( depending on the moment, established by a different sculptor ) different from that of other cultures, hence, for example, when they saw the group of Egyptian deities, they thought they were their own gods… But wrongly done. I mean, it's funny to think about it.

They represented their deities like they themselves were, with all their faults, even ( the gods were not immune to fate, they can be seen having regrets ) and even if they turned into animals, they had nothing to do with the Egyptians and hence they thought of them that way. It's not even THAT weird to imagine when you know most ( if not all ) cultures just saw the same things with their own interpretation based on their enviornment.

· ) Examples ( ·

The Sun and Moon in Greek Myths are portrayed as a god and a goddess, but in Norse Myths ( correct me if i'm wrong, i haven't done much research about Norse Mythology ) they're the other way around, the Sun was portrayed as a goddess and the Moon as a god. In the Aztect culture, they went more far away and legit said the Sun and the Moon were in a constant fight, and that's why they were moving all the time, instead of riding around in chariots like Helios and Selene did. Points for being creative, if i'm being honest !

· ) Examples ( ·

Now, yes, we can have the belief, as you say, that the gods presented themselves in different ways depending on the person ( example: Athena transforming into an acquaintance of Telemachus to make him go out in search of news of Odysseus ) but it is not usually their "general appearance" with which they represented said gods.

The Greeks represented their Greek gods as them.

Although I personally don't think it's all that bad to see the figures of the gods as we want, I do prefer something safer and even respectable for, in this case, the Greeks.

I am not myself a Greek, I am a xenoi, as one could say, and when imagining the gods I usually look for representations of their moment or as similar as those times as possible.

For example, since this blog is mainly about Dionysus… Normally I have seen him with a young appearance, long and tousled hair and of course with waves.

( One of my favourite Dionysus' sculptures of all time, but not a Greek one tho, thanks i'm aware ) the reason why i see him this way is since i have preference for Euripides' design for him, how he describes him in The Bacchae. It's my favourite work and my favourite tragedy author, so it's obvious that i'm gonna prefer his interpretation than, let's say, Hesiod's.

BUT take as another example, someone who sees Dionysus with a beard, and more old-like.

It would be fine as well !

Neither one is more correct than the other, both are totally valid.

Now, about the skin tone... Well, Greeks nowadays consider themselves "white", technically, but you see, skin is faaar more than just "black and white", so we really shouldn't listen to people complaining about Greeks making Greek gods white.

You see, i would tell you that there was no problem seeing the gods with your standards as an American, since as i said, the gods may manifest in many forms. However, in this current day, i would say it's better to give them at least one little piece of detail that reminds you of how they were represented back then.

Mainly due to ( not in your case, but many others ) appropiating of these gods, that are from a culture that isn't theirs.

I say the same with the rest, let's say, Egyptian gods, Hindu, Norse, and so on. Usually it's better to view them based on the culture they're from. If i want to, for example, make art related to the Hindu deities, i'll probably look around representations that the people who originated with said culture made.

i think it's fine to view some figure details how you want and are most familiar with, but it's better to make research in order to honour the culture you're interested in with all the accuracies and respect possible.

Let's say, Apollo is most of the times described as blonde, but if you wanna see him with black hair, i mean, sure, go ahead, why not. But it wouldn't be very nice of anyone to "score a Percy Jackson" as i like to call it now and say stuff like "the Greek gods are in America because their power is stronger here" or whatever the hell the book said i don't remember neither do i care.

In the end, the best way to view the Greek gods, is looking for Greek sources. You may prefer one interpretation than other, but it does not matter what it is for, it is best to research at least for the bases.