What is a goddess, and how is their power represented in past and contemporary cultures? As the presenter of the 2023 Scolari Barr Lecture on visual arts, Dr. Judith Lerner shared with Upper School students that it is often a matter of objects and stance. 

Dr. Lerner is a scholar and art historian specializing in the history and visual culture of Iran and Central Asia from the Achaemenid to the early Islamic periods. Focusing her presentation on powerful goddesses from these regions, Dr. Lerner showed slides that illustrated how their powers are often associated with the objects they hold in their hands. “[Anahita] controls the irrigation, the life-giving waters,” Dr. Lerner explained. “Water becomes very, very important in this region. With her left hand she holds a pitcher, from which the life-giving waters spill.”

Modern celebrities can emulate and borrow from goddesses, too. Beyonce’s choice of dress at the 2017 Grammy Awards included a crown of golden sun rays and an elaborately beaded gown. “The meaning of her costume is not lost on her fans; it refers to African, Hindu, and even Roman goddesses,” said Dr. Lerner. “All the gold, as well as the yellow that she often wears, is the favorite color of the Yoruba river love goddess Oshun.”

Students were curious about a connection, if any, between goddess worship and gender equity. Were ancient cultures that worshiped goddesses like Anahita more matriarchal or equitable in nature? “An interesting question,” Lerner responded. “But not necessarily. I’m not so sure that it has anything to do with gender equity, even though goddesses are worshiped by both women and men.”

Even so, another goddess of the region, Nana, is often seen seated on a throne of lions or using lions as part of a chariot. Dr. Lerner explained that the lion, the king of beasts, is the symbol for the king of mankind. “We have this certain goddess represented with the lion as her vehicle; the really powerful goddesses can take over the imagery that is given to men and to male deities.”