In ancient Greek religion, Demeter is the sister of Zeus, King of the Gods. She is the Goddess of Agriculture, of grain in particular, and is a Mother-Goddess, the “meter” in her name meaning mother. In her legend, Demeter’s daughter Persephone disappears to the underworld, and in her search for her Demeter neglects the harvest and causes a famine. Her daughter’s return coincides with spring and the renewal of the crops. With her lover Iason, Demeter bore a son, Plutus, signifying wealth and abundant produce of the soil. Demeter also had a darker side, tied to the underworld, but also appeared as a goddess of health, birth and marriage.

Numerous agrarian festivals were held in her honour in Ancient Greece. In Greek art she is depicted with a basket filled with grain and fruit, on a throne or riding in a chariot pulled by dragons with her daughter often by her side. The symbols associated with both Demeter and Persephone are a scepter, cornucopia, ears of corn, a sheaf of wheat, a torch, and occasionally, a crown of flowers.