A journey through a childhood obsession.

I’ve been delving into stories that are deeply rooted in our collective memory. These are the very first narratives I encountered as a child, and they possess a profound symbolic and imaginative dimension that always piqued my young curiosity. While concepts like passion, love, revenge, and death were beyond my innocent mind at an early age, I could sense the richness that these stories held.

The myths I’ve explored are filled with symbolism, offering a treasure trove of inspiration for graphic representations. These tales seeped into my imagination, and translated into illustrations and patterns that will grace Zenobie’s end-of-year collection.

Adonis and Astarte by Titian

My journey begins with the timeless tale of Adonis and Astarte. 

Adonis, a handsome mortal, captured the heart of the goddess Astarte, embodying love and renewal. His tragic death while hunting a boar plunged Astarte into grief, heralding winter. Yet his annual return from the underworld signaled spring, representing the cycle of life’s rejuvenation. Legend has it that the red poppy seeds symbolize Adonis’ blood, scattered upon the earth. This narrative elegantly interweaves themes of love, loss, and the rhythms of nature.

Another rendition tells of a jealous Aphrodite, drawn to our hero, who dispatches a ferocious boar to kill him and separate the lovers. Later, I’d discover that crimes driven by passion and love were a recurring motif in stories and real life, sometimes even justified by certain cultural norms.

My next stop is the captivating myth of The Abduction of Europe. 

It recounts the tale of Europa, a Phoenician princess who caught the eye of Zeus. Enchanted by her beauty, the god transformed into a white bull. Europa, beguiled, caressed the gentle creature and even rode upon his back. Suddenly, the bull surged toward the sea, bearing her away to Crete. There, Zeus revealed his true form, and their fates intertwined. Heartbroken, Europa’s father sent her brother Cadmus in search of her. While Cadmus never found his sister, he introduced the alphabet to Greece. The very name “Europe” derives from the princess Europa.

In some versions, Europa was forced to ride the bull, and Zeus’s actions were far from consensual, offering a less romantic alternative to the story.

The Rape of Europa by Titian

As I grew, I learned that these myths serve as depictions of human emotions and characteristics. All these figures are, in fact, reflections of our untamed human nature. They speak of love, passion, temptation, violence, revenge, loss, grief, and their consequences. What’s truly captivating is how these narratives become woven into our collective identity, becoming a part of our history. The breathtaking red poppy fields one encounters when hiking in Lebanon during spring serve as a perpetual reminder of Adonis and his divine love affair.

Furthermore, the naming of the continent Europe after a Phoenician princess abducted from our Levantine shores adds an intriguing layer to our storytelling. Whichever version of these stories I choose to embrace, they all revolve around human desires and their repercussions—versions passed down through translation and transformation, carved, painted, and sung by countless artists from ancient civilizations to the present.

“The Rape of Europa” (2.06 x 2.00 meters) dated between the end of the 3rd century AD and the start of the 4th century AD, was discovered accidentally in 1872 on private property, and is now exhibited in Sparta Museum

At Zenobie, I aspire to be an heir to these tales and a perpetuator of myths throughout the products we create for our customers. I choose to believe that Adonis’ death was a mere hunting accident, and I feel blessed to witness the poppy-dotted fields every spring, reminding me of the union of Astarte and a mortal. Similarly, I’m amused by the notion of Europa’s surprise upon discovering that the bull she rode was, in fact, a splendid god, akin to the stories of princesses who kiss frogs to lift curses from charming princess.

Within the designs and drawings gracing Zenobie’s products, you’ll find a narrative steeped in love and desire. Our heroes are locked in a passionate embrace, surrounded by cupids and Astarte’s stars, where danger meets endless possibilities.

I hope you find as much joy in exploring these myths as I do. My passion for these stories, characters, heroes, and monsters has held my heart captive since a young age, and I hope they captivate your heart just as deeply. I’m thrilled that these myths will soon come to life on our upcoming Zenobie products, and I can’t wait to see them become a part of your daily life, serving as a reminder of the enchanting parallel world we journey through.

This depêche is written by Zeina from Zenobie.