Tag: Euterpe

Does Terpsichore Tapdance? By Barbara Ardinger

Goddesses of art and inspiration, the Muses gave their name to our museums, where they are (or should be) worshipped. I feel a special devotion to them. … The ones I really like, though, are the theatrical Muses—Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, and Terpsichore, plus maybe Calliope and Errato. I was a drama major (and possibly a drama queen) in college…. Today, I go to the theater as often as I can.

Although my greatest devotion is to the Great Goddess, who is said to have ten thousand names, I find myself more and more adoring the Muses: 

  • Clio, “Fame-giver,” ruler of history and shown with an open scroll
  • Euterpe, “Joy-giver,” the lyric Muse who plays the flute
  • Thalia, famous for her comic mask and wreaths of ivy
  • Melpomene, wearer of the tragic mask and vine leaves
  • Terpsichore, “Lover of dancing,” who carried a lyre and ruled choral music as well as dance
  • Errato, “Awakener of desire,” ruler of erotic poetry
  • Polyhymnia, “Many hymns,” shown as the meditating inspirer of hymns
  • Urania, “Heavenly,” ruler of astronomy who carries a globe
  • Calliope, “Beautiful-voiced,” ruler of epic poetry who carries a tablet and a pen[1] Continue reading “Does Terpsichore Tapdance? By Barbara Ardinger”