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Tuesday 4 August 2015

D stands for Diana

Diana (My namesake.)

In Roman mythology Diana was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and childbirth, being associated with wild animals and woodland and having the power to talk to and control animals.

Diana was known to be the virgin goddess of childbirth and women, she was one of  the three  maiden goddesses, Diana , Minerva, and  Vesta  who swore to never marry. 

Diana reposing.

Worship of  Diana is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles Ephesian.

Metal Smiths who felt threatened by St Paul's preaching of Christianity,  jealously noted in her defence, shouting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians !(Acts 19:28 The New English Bible.) The city secretary hushed the crowd, saying "Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the Keeper (Guardian of the Temple) of the great Diana and of her image that fell from heaven?" (Acts 19:36.) 

In Ephesus where she was worshipped as Diana of Ephesus. The Temple of Artemision used to be one of the World's seven wonders.



 

The Temple of Artemis / Diana.

 

I wrote about Ephesus on the previous round of ABCW , this is the wonderful place we visited on many of our trips to Turkey, somehow I find myself there again ! Then I wrote about the temple, first named The Temple of Artemis, then, the Romans arrived and renamed it The Temple of Diana. There is a lot written about Ephesus in the Acts of the Apostles which I believe tells it all and particularly through Christ's disciples St Peter and St Paul.

 A fortune teller once told me  I was a descendant from an eastern goddess, I was amazed because I hadn't told her my name! Stranger still my youngest daughter was also told that she too descended from an eastern goddess.....maybe they all have the same script !

 
 
 
 
 
My thanks to Dear Denise for Devising ABCW and the dashing Roger for all that he does, also not forgetting the dependable team of helpers.
Best wishes Di, ABCW team. 



35 comments:

  1. Wonderful explanation of the background of your namesake! Have a divine day, Di.

    leslie
    abcw team

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  2. Why doesn't this entry of yours surprise me? ;-)

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  3. Doesn't surprise me either Diane :-) Fabulous post xox

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  4. ah, a goddess, rather like yourself!


    ROG, ABCW

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  5. Diane , after reading this post I looked at my name and it is of French origin , introduced later in to the Britain. ..

    French form of ANNA. In the 13th-century it was imported to England. I have always disliked my name , but I can live with it now :-) xx

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  6. Well that's a great choice for the letter D for you! Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  7. Very nice post and have known facts about Diana.Have a good day.

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  8. Great post - things about Diana I am happy to learn...

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  9. Informative post... This ABCW has actually been an enriching platform...

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  10. Nice post for D ! I have been there too, in Turkey the old ruins look much better and well taken care of not like in Greece ! Hopefully that will last !

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  11. Wonderful post for D. It was good to read up on her.

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  12. There's a monumental fountain dedicated to Diana the Huntress in Mexico city. I was always fascinated by it when my family drove by there when we visited as a child. Blessings!

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  13. Hi Leslie,
    Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
    I could have mentioned Princess Diana, whom we all
    thought was also a Goddess, but then, admitted to several affairs
    during her marriage to Prince Charles.
    I was dismayed to
    learn of all the smut generated between the two of them,
    that I just decided that they were both as bad as each
    other !
    Hope the weather is cooler, still very windy and raining now.
    Love Di xxx
    ABCW team,

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  14. Hi Melody,
    I couldn't possibly say !
    Thanks for dropping by,

    Best wishes,
    Di xx
    ABCW team.

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  15. Hi Anne,
    thanks for dropping by and your kind comments,
    it's good to hear from you.

    love Di,
    ABCW team.

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  16. Hi Ellen,
    Glad you liked my chosen subject, not too difficult,
    considering I'm talking about my namesake !

    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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  17. Roger,
    Thank you so much, you're so kind,

    Best wishes,

    Di,x
    ABCW team.

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  18. Murthy,
    Thanks for your comments,
    very kind,

    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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  19. Hildred,
    Good to hear from you again and thanks for
    your kind comments.

    best wishes,

    di.
    ABCW team.

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  20. Ira Pc.
    I totally agree with you that ABCW certainly is a learning platform,
    Thanks for your comments,

    best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

















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  21. Gattina,
    It is good that Turkey looks after their ancient Archeological sites.
    Good to hear from you,
    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

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  22. Arnoldo:
    I'm amazed that Diana got out to Mexico,
    but then the Mexicans are quite a spiritural
    race, one only has to think of the Aztecs,
    must check that out to see if there is a connection !
    Thanks for dropping by,
    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team,

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  23. Ooh - I've got a goddess for a friend! Love from Sicily. x

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  24. It's interesting that a virgin and maiden is the goddess of childbirth, especially one who is skilled with the bow. I wonder what the reasoning was.

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  25. Your mention of the temple of Diana being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world sent me running to Wiki to learn the rest. I am now better informed about such things because of your blog post. Thanks!

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  26. Hi Di! What an ordeal you have to face when travelling. Thanks for this beautiful post!
    Best wishes and regards.
    Wil, ABCW Team

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  27. Hello Welshcakes:
    Ha! being a Goddess does not affect me in any way!
    I thought the 'Virgin' theory was a bit far fetched though,
    can't apply to me, as you know I have three daughters.
    In fact most of the roman deity were wildly promiscuous!
    Lovely to hear from you again.

    Love Di xx
    ABCW team.

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  28. Susie,
    Yes, that crossed my mind too, but then, it is 'mythology'.

    Thanks for dropping by, always good to hear from you.

    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

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  29. Oakland Daily Photo:
    Thanks for your comments,
    I love reading all the diverse and interesting writings
    from the ABCW contributors, thank goodness for Wikipedia,
    I do a lot of research using it, along with good old
    Mr Google !

    best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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  30. Hi Wil.
    Lovely to hear from you and I hope you are having an enjoyable time
    with your family in Australia.
    Glad you enjoyed the post.
    Yes travelling by became such a nightmare that we have abandoned it.
    WE are fortunate to have the Euro Tunnel and can take a leisurely
    drive wherever we want in Europe.

    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

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  31. It's strange how I always think of Di and Diana as being incredibly different - I suppose they are! Love your posts, Di xxx

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  32. Hi Flowerpot (Sue),
    lovely to hear from you again and thanks for your kind
    comments.
    I think Princess Diana was christened, in the beginning,
    Lady Di, by the 'red tops' tabloids... I don't think
    them thar' Aristo's shortened names....
    I bet she didn't
    call Charles Chuck!
    From when I first met Ian, all those years ago (33),
    he always called me Di, until then, I always had my
    full title, from family and most friends...
    Almost seemed as if I'd taken on a new identity, but
    then, it was the start of a new and very happy life.
    I wish you so much success with your new book Sue,
    I'm looking forward to reading it.

    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

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  33. I have always thought "Diana" is a particularly beautiful name, Diana. Thanks for filling me in on a lot of background that I did not know. You are fortunate to have been able to visit the Temple of Diana in Turkey. Somehow, I am doubting that any temples bear my name :) As for the fortune teller's Declaration, perhaps she was closer to the truth than you first thought. One of the definitions of "goddess" is a "greatly admired and/or adored woman :)

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  34. Hi Carol,
    lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind comments.
    It is amazing how I am drawn to Turkey, we've ha at least 12 holidays there, visiting a different place, each we go.
    It is an incredible country and considering the heat in the summertime there are so many lush green pastures!

    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

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  35. ganga cassette is very nice it has a good content and religious content. It was pleasure to read it religion cassette

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I usually like to reply to your comments but for some reason when i do post a reply it just diappears, any advice would be most welcome,Thanks Di x

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