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Persephone and Demeter Shawl, Handpainted Silk, 22" X 90"

Demeter is seeking her daughter, Persephone (Goddess of Spring), who has gone missing. Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter (the Harvest Goddess) was abducted by Hades, King of the Underworld. The world stays cold and hungry in Persephone's absence, and Zeus demands that Hades return Persephone to the world of the living. Persephone consummated her marriage to Hades by tasting of the fruit of the pomegranate from his underworld garden, so although she may return to the land of the living, she must return each year to spend time with her husband, Hades, in the underworld, thus causing winter.

Demeter (left) and Persephone (right) are depicted at opposite ends of the shawl, and joined by vines and flowers: the polarity of mothers and daughters.

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