Eyo what'ch'y'all know about "The Saffron Goddess"??
The Facts!
"The Saffron Goddess" (also known as "The Seated Goddess" or "The Mistress of Animals") is a Fresco that was discovered in the bronze age settlement of Akrotiri on the island of Thera, now known as Santorini. It was found in the Xeste 3 group of the excavation. (dated to Late Cycladic IA) What is depicted is a woman pouring out saffron, then a monkey taking the saffron and gifting it to a seated divinity, who has a griffon behind her. Though not pictured, the other walls within the room are also painted with women collecting saffron.
My own musings...
CW ahead for menstruation talk just in case, but my friends a natural function of the body is nothing to be afraid of <3
Now I am not an expert of any sort, nor am I claiming to be, but I am an AFAB person studying Art history with a specialization in Aegean art SO here are my two cents.
I think that the entire Xeste 3 complex seems to be dedicated to women, possibly as a menstrual space for ritual purposes (but that is a big big reach).
There is not a single male figure depicted in this particular complex. Various other frescoes in the complex, such as those depicted in "The Adorants" fresco and "The Saffron Gatherers", are all women doing traditionally feminine tasks and wearing flounced skirts, of which are ritualistic in nature.
Within the building itself, there is something called a Lustral Basin, which is a Minoan sacred space that is dug into the ground with a descending stair case.
Though we know next to nothing of ancient menstrual practices, It IS known that the ancient greeks (as well as surrounding cultures) found menstruation to be unclean. With this Lustral Basin, it's location in comparison to the rest of the Akrotiri settlement, and depictions of only women, It reminds me of a menstrual space- not unlike the Chhaupadi of Nepal or the "Red Tents" and Menstrual Lodges of Native Americans, though clearly this particular building is given far more of a stable and safe environment.
Another thing that makes me think this could be a menstrual space specifically is the use of saffron in an of itself. Now why the hell is that important?
It's because saffron is one of the oldest remedies for menstrual pain in HISTORY, going so far as to reduce the severity of PMS. This isn't just an old wives' tail- it's downright true.
To sum it all up, I think the Saffron Goddess is a guardian of women- possibly specifically through the menstrual cycle. And she's fucking beautiful. (ngl I just wanted to yap about a theory and my favorite fresco of all time, and I also am absolutely infuriated at the lack of documentation of ancient menstrual practices beyond "ew women are gross" as a person with MRKH who has done extensive research into menstruation as a whole)
Sources:
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