Terpsichore is one of the nine ancient Greek muses patronizing the arts and sciences, which, according to legend, were born from the powerful Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. A beautiful maiden with a lyre in an ivy wreath gave inspiration to those who revered the art of dance and choral singing.
Beautiful Muses
Muses, otherwise they were called muses, were depicted as beautiful girls. They could not only patronize people of art - artists, poets, artists, musicians, but also punished those who aroused their anger, depriving them of talent and inspiration. In order to appease them, they built temples, museyons, where one could ask for patronage and please with gifts.
How Terpsichore was portrayed
Terpsichore is a muse who favored those who practiced dancing and choral singing. She was also called Tsets.
Depicting Terpsichore with attributes that indicate her connection with the arts. She has an ivy wreath on her head, indicating her relationship to Dionysus, in her hands she holds a lyre and a mediator (plectra), which she plays with a smile on her face. The Muses accompanied Dionysus to festivals andweddings, were associated with him by mystical powers and inner fire.
In the painting by Francois Boucher, she is depicted as a blond girl with a tambourine, reclining on clouds with angels. It was assumed that with the help of the muse one could reach extraordinary heights in art, touch the divine.
Inspiration for poets and artists
Geosid in his text about the muses "Theogony" describes them as noble maidens who, having washed themselves in the waters of holy springs, extol Zeus with beautiful voices and graceful dances. Plato erected a temple in their honor in Athens, southwest of the Acropolis, and their sanctuaries could be found throughout the country.
Seeing you off, the ancient Greeks gave parting words: "May the Muses be with you!" A visit to the muse is joy, pride, a sign of good luck.
Eternal philosophers and seekers of truth, the Greeks dedicated their creations to the Muses, asked them to open the way to perfection, and the artists depicted themselves next to the Muses and painted portraits of great people with them. In the ancient Greek writings of Proclus, they were asked to lead the soul to the sacred light. More than once Terpsichore is mentioned by A. S. Pushkin in "Eugene Onegin".
Terpsichore gave birth to charming sirens from the god of the river Aheloy, who sang in such a way that no one could resist them and disobey them. The famous Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's poem, could hardly resist their charm.
Many tried to portray Terpsichore, this goddess of dance, trying to convey her grace, spirituality,musicality.
The dance of the muse herself was considered the harmony of the impeccable movements of the soul and body. Therefore, it is not difficult to unravel the meaning of the phraseologism “light as Terpsichore.”
Space dance breath
Translated from Greek, Terpsichore is "admiration", "consolation", "enjoyment in dance", "choral singing". Dance was not only a way to express your emotions and passions. Harmony in movements, lightness, grace, according to philosophers, could be a reflection of the soul, its bright impulses, and beautiful and faithful movements, connected with rhythms, merging with music, put the dancers into a trance, and the dance turned into a mystical act. The muse-inspired dance helped the soul to ascend, connect with the Cosmos, receive revelations and healing.
According to legend, the cult of the Muses appeared among the Thracian singers who lived in Pieria near Mount Olympus. In addition to Dionysus, the Muses accompanied Apollo, who played the lyre at the Olympic feasts, surrounded by his companions, who led souls to light, the sun, truth, wisdom, comprehension of the highest meaning of words, music, dances. Terpsichore is the main inspirer of choral singing and dancing, so loved by the Greek people, therefore she rightfully took her place among the muses, who were the third generation of the inhabitants of Olympus.
They lived on Parnassus, there was a source of water nearby. They passed on their gift to some from childhood, visited and patronized their chosen one throughout his life.life.
Catch phrase about Terpsichore
The meaning of “light as Terpsichore” is not only admired by talented dancers, but also by graceful women who, regardless of age and weight, can move beautifully, nobly, and evoke admiring glances. Movements, like the eyes, reflect the state, mood, by walking you can find out the character of a person.
Those who are gifted with dancing abilities can consider themselves lucky people, speak to heaven in the language of dance.
