Symbols of the spiritual world on ancient Greek vase art
The symbolism of the spirits of the dead in Greek vase paintings depicts souls beginning their journey to the underworld in classical Greek art. In Greek and Roman literature and symbolism spirits of the underworld frequently appear. The lifeless figure carried in the center is Sarpedon king of Lycia and son of Zeus often seen in red-painted pottery in ancient Greek ceramics. The two winged gods on the left and right are Hypnos the god of sleep and Thanatos the twin gods of death in Greek and Roman mythology.
An ancient bronze vessel handle Cista handle from the Etruscan civilization dating back to approximately the 4th-3rd century BC.
Thanatos is a god or spirit representing a peaceful death. His touch is gentle comparable to that of his twin brother Hypnos who appears as a winged god carrying a corpse sometimes aided by Thanatos's bloodthirsty sister Hypnos the spirit of murder and disease. Death in Greek mythology is in the context of a peaceful departure.
Attic Black-Figure Olpe dating from approximately 500–525 BC was painted by an artist known as The Painter of Vatican.
Mourning depictions include large vase paintings of Thanatos showing burial scenes signifying "the laying of the body" to show respect and mourn the deceased. From the exquisite white lekitos vases of Classical Athens circa 480-323 BC the ancient Greeks created beautiful pottery as tombstones for their loved ones including symbols of Thanatos in the form of a beardless winged figure and warriors in armor and cloaks. Today the cultural value of pottery art lies in its aesthetic or sculptural significance.
