"Panacea"

Panacea, in both myth and symbolism, represents the universal cure—a remedy that can heal all ailments, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. 

In Greek mythology, Panacea was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and was said to possess the knowledge and power to cure any disease. Her name itself, derived from the Greek word "panakes," means "all-healing," and she was revered as a symbol of hope and restoration. 

 

The image of Panacea often evokes a sense of ultimate healing, a figure that transcends the limits of time, place, and condition, offering solutions to life's many struggles.

 

2013

"Panacea"

ink,acrylic,watercolor

"Simurgh" new drawing

Persian Mythology: The Beneficial Simurgh

In the rich tapestry of Persian mythology, the Simurgh stands out as a creature of great benevolence. 

Unlike some of its trickster counterparts, such as Pazuzu and Imdugud/Anzu, the Simurgh is a bird-being that is highly regarded for its healing powers. While often compared to a phoenix, the Simurgh is also depicted as having the body of a lion, wings, and a bird's beak.

According to legend, just a touch from the Simurgh or one of its feathers could heal a person instantly. In addition, the Simurgh is believed to have knowledge of a special restorative brew called houma.

Persian myth recounts that the Simurgh lived in the Tree of Knowledge, which connects it to the myth of the Anzu, a creature that made its nest in the Huluppu tree. It is said that when the Simurgh took flight, the power of its ascent shook the tree's branches so violently that seeds from every plant that had ever existed were scattered throughout the world, bringing a wealth of valuable plants to humanity.

SIMURGH

ACRYILIC AND  BALLPOINT PEN  ON PAPER

42x59 cm

2013

 

Alecto

This is a detail from the final piece of my Furies series that I’ve been working on throughout this year. 

I must admit, interpreting emotions like pain, beauty, and the intense reactions we feel when betrayed has been a challenging process. However, in the end, the satisfaction of completing something that I find deeply enriching makes it all worthwhile. It was worth the journey!

Alecto

Alecto is one of the Furies in Greek mythology, known for her role as a relentless punisher of moral crimes, especially those related to anger and injustice. 

She is often depicted as pursuing wrongdoers with a whip, her anger never ceasing. Alecto's primary purpose is to avenge offenses such as personal insults, familial betrayal, and crimes against the gods. Her presence in myth highlights the inescapable nature of divine retribution. As one of the three Furies, she embodies the unyielding force of vengeance that seeks to restore balance through punishment.

Megaera

Megaera "the jealous one" is one of the Erinyes or "Furies" in Greek mythology.

Megaera is the cause of jealousy and envy, and punishes people who commit crimes, especially marital infidelity ,like her sisters Alecto and Tisiphone, she was born of the blood of Uranus when Cronus castrated him. 

The Erinyes are the three goddesses of revenge, they punished those who escaped or defied public justice. 

MEGAERA 

GEL INK ,ACRYILIC , AQUARELLE AND GOLD ON PAPER

42x59 cm , 2012.

Tisiphone

I began this piece during my trip to Athens. While browsing through a friend's library, I came across an incredible book that I’ll be sharing in the next few days. In it, I rediscovered the magnificent portrait A Young Lady by Petrus Christus, a work that has often inspired me. I felt it would be a great opportunity to reinterpret the beauty of this painting through my own lens.

Process

In the image below, my excitement led me to incorporate embroidery, a craft I first learned as a child. 

However, I quickly realized that the delicate details of the embroidery clashed with the complexity I intended for the hair. It turned out to be a bit of a miscalculation, and I ended up spending more time than I anticipated. Still, even though it didn’t quite work out as planned, it was a failure I can appreciate.

Tisiphone was one of the Erinyes or Furies, and sister of Alecto and Megaera. 

She was the one who punished crimes of murder: parricide, fratricide and homicide. A myth recounts how Tisiphone fell in love with Cithaeron, and caused his death by snakebite, specifically, by one of the snakes from her head.

Tisiphone

acrylic,gel ink , gold on paper
42x59,4
©Meyoko

Hunter no.4 (Hunter Collection)

 

References

Hunter no.3 (Hunter Collection)

 

Process