1. By: Tynisha Kaylyn Keshawn

2. Culture of Origin The Red Dove symbolizes hope. Red means love, passion, anger, blood, and womb. Dove means peace. Aphrodite gets her name and power from the ancient Semitic goddess of love, Ishtar-Astarte. The Goddess Astarte was called the Queen of Heaven and Aphrodite was called Urania (meaning Celestial or Heavenly). Astarte was worshipped with offerings of anger and the sacrifice of doves which are from the culture of Aphrodite. Aphrodite was brought from Phoencia to Greece. Aphrodite is Greek.

3. Special powers Aphrodite’s special powers are love, beauty and fertility. She made the men fall in love with her instantly, and she made them worship her.

4. Myths Associated with Aphrodite Two stories about Aphrodite’s birth: First, some say she came from the foam of sea and was brought to the island of Cyprus. Second, others say she was the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Goddess Dione. The cause of the Trojan War: Eris is not invited to the wedding of Peleus, and Thetis tossed a golden apple that said, “To the fairest.” Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each claimed the golden apple as their due. Zeus chose Paris, Son of King Priam of Troy, to decide the question. Each of the goddesses tried to bribe Paris. He gave the apple to Aphrodite who promised him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy. Aphrodite kidnapped Helen which caused the Trojan War.

5. Other Facts The Romans identify her as Venus. She married Hephaestus, God of Forge. Symbols: the dolphin, dove, apple, swan, and pomegranate. Her holy day is Friday, and her holy month is April.

6. Why is Aphrodite associated with the “Spirits of Spring”? The doves are one of Aphrodite's symbols and they live in her temple. At a certain time of the year they fly off but return in the spring. Aphrodite took the form of a dove and returned to her temple which ushered in spring.

7. Works Cited “Aphrodite.” pagan-magic.co. Jan.26,2009. http://pagan- magic.co.uk/shop/aphroditep-4977.html?ad=teenwitch.http://pagan- magic.co.uk/shop/aphroditep-4977.html?ad=teenwitch “Aphrodite-The Goddess of Love.” epilogue.net. March 6,2004. Jan.21,2009. http://www.epilouge.net/egi/data/art/view.p/?id=58808. “Aphrodite.” teenwitch.com. 1 Sep. 2008. Jan.21, 2009. http://www.teenwitch.com/divine/greek/aphrodite.html. http://www.teenwitch Lombardi J. Anne. “Aphrodite Her power and Her Art.” arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/. Jan.21, 2009. http://www. arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/papers/lombardiaphrodite/aphrodit e.html.