A small terracotta votive plaque describes rituals for the cycle of life, death and the rebirth of nature and reminds us that Spring and light always return…
Ninion's votive plaque is dedicated to the two great goddesses of Eleusis, Demeter and Persephone and depicts sacred ceremonies of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The figures in the main scene are arranged in two rows. At the top, Demeter seated on the "secret cista", Persephone standing and holding the torches and the torch-bearer Iakchos respectively below, receive the procession of initiates, men and women, arriving at the Sanctuary.
In the middle of the lower row the wreathed omphalos and two interscting bakchoi, symbols of the mystery rites.
The third divine figure, sitting at the at the bottom right, has not been identified with certainty
The pediment depicts figures of participants in the pannychis, the all-night feast, while the female figure on the left accompanies them playing the flute. All worshippers are crowned and hold blossoming branches and staffs, while the women have the sacred vessel, the kernos, fastened on their heads.
