We proudly import these from Northern Europe! A small pagan company in Ukraine hand carves these amazing altar statues of the pagan gods and goddesses BY HAND! Most pagan statues on the market are “cold cast resin” – which is fine, but they are basically resin/plastic and mass produced. These are unique, every detail is hand carved! These are tools you will be proud to pass onto the next generation!
Approximately 9 inches high.
Carved from beautiful Alder, one of the famous Celtic Ogham trees. Alder trees feature often in Celtic Mythology and Folklore. They are said to be home to fairies, they are the symbol of Bran in Welsh Mythology and are most often associated with water, secrecy, nature, spirituality, and balance. Alder trees were a source of great mystery to the Celts. Their sap turns a deep red when exposed to the air, as if they could bleed when cut. The bleeding bark and affinity with water led to many negative superstitions about the trees. Alders were considered highly sacred, mysterious and secretive, often thought of as representing nature itself and containing the souls of our ancestors. For this reason Alder is a great choice for a hand carved pagan god or goddess statue for your ritual altar!
Apollo was a powerful Greek god and one of the Twelve Olympians. He served as the divine patron of prophecy, healing, art, and culture, as well as the embodiment of masculine beauty.
Apollo belonged to the second generation of Olympians, along with his twin sister Artemis, goddess of the wild and hunting. He was commonly represented as a kouros—that is, as a young, beardless male. In ancient art, he could be seen carrying a lyre or a bow and arrow.
Apollo was the son of Zeus, the supreme god of the Greek pantheon, and Leto, a descendant of the Titans. In myth, he and his twin sister Artemis were born on the island of Delos, the only place on earth that would give Leto shelter when Hera, Zeus’ jealous wife, sought to prevent her from giving birth. Apollo rewarded the island by making it one of the centers of his worship.
Apollo was usually viewed as the prototypical beautiful young man (kouros in Greek). He was distinguished by various symbols of his roles and powers, including the bow, lyre, and cithara, and was often depicted wearing a laurel wreath. Apollo’s sacred animals included the raven and the wolf.
Apollo was widely worshipped with sanctuaries and festivals. His oracle at Delphi was one of the most influential in the Greek world. Apollo also had a major sanctuary on the tiny island of Delos, where he was said to have been born.
Like the other Olympian gods, Apollo had a rich temple cult and was honored with regular festivals throughout the Greek world, including the Pythian Games at Delphi. He was also worshipped in connection with aspects of everyday life, such as health and medicine. Ritual invocations called paeans were sung to Apollo in various contexts.