Melissa means Bee in Greek. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and from whom bees were believed to have received their name. She was known as one of the nymph nurses of Zeus. Instead of feeding baby Zeus milk, Melissa fed him honey. Or, alternatively, the bees brought honey straight to his mouth.
A bee was hand carved on the top part of the coin and it reminds you of an antique seal.
Bees played an essential role in Greek religious traditions. They, and the honey they produce, have many symbolic meanings. One famous story tells of the birth of Zeus, King of the Gods. His father, the god Kronos, wished to destroy him. His mother, in order to protect him, hid him into a secret cave on Mount Dicte. The cave was populated by sacred bees which fed the infant god honey. Zeus remained in the cave until he was grown and dethroned his father Kronos becoming the new king of the gods. Likely due to this story, one of Zeus’s titles was Melissaios, or “bee-man”. Zeus later rewarded the bees for their assistance by making them bright gold in color, and strong enough to resist cold and winds.
The Muses—goddesses of art, poetry, and science—were also often connected with bees, which were called “the birds of the Muses”. The Muses gave mortals the gift of eloquence by sending bees to place honey on their lips, to make their voices sweet.
Bees also tended to be associated with the underworld and with the souls of the dead. This was likely because wild hives are often located in cracks in rock walls or caves, which were imagined to be entrances to the Underworld.
Honey was a beloved food of the gods and was a popular offering for the gods and nymphs as well as for the dead.
Silver 925 or 18k Yellow Gold
Diamond of 1.5mm
Coin Length: 18 mm; Width: 12 mm; Thickness: 1 mm
Chain: 45cm
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