Afrodite is today best-known as the ‘goddess of love,’ but among the ancient Greeks she was also important in maritime religion, trade and travel.

She was carried aboard ships, worshipped at harbour side sanctuaries, and believed tohelp to bring whatever one desired, whether land, love or good weather. Her cult travelled from port to port around the Mediterranean, where Afrodite was merged with the Roman Venus.

Among sailors, who navigated by these stars, Afrodite-Venus was specially honoured at the opening of the sailing season in the Mediterranean springtime. She is therefor associated to the Greeks who took to the sea once again to trade, fish and travel over the summer months.