10 Powerful Mother Goddess Sculptures

1. Gaia

In the modern world, some scientists use the term Gaia to describe the Earth as a complex, living, inter-dependent system. But in mythology, Gaia is the great ancestral mother, the first of all the Greek deities. Goddess of the earth and the universal mother, she was born from the primordial void. The Muses sprang from her loins, and she had over 60 children with various fathers. She helped her son Chronos overthrow his father Uranus. But when Chronos turned into a tyrant, she helped Zeus overthrow him. I think we can call Gaia firm but fair!

2. Isis

Egyptian goddess Isis was not just a mother. She was a magical healer with the power of life and death in her hands. She reconstructed the hacked up body of her husband Osiris and birthed a son, Horus. A god with the head of a falcon, his right eye was the sun, his left eye was the moon. Easy to recognise then. Isis had a complicated relationship with Horus, who beheaded his mother. Luckily this act was reversed with magic, and the two were reconciled. Families can be complicated, so forgive and forget may be the moral of this tale!

3. Yashoda

Not all mothers birth their children, sometimes we find family through adoption and fostering. In infancy, Krishna, a Hindu god, had to be hidden from the murderous king Kamsa of Mathura. He was raised in safety by foster parents—his new mother was called Yashoda. Admonishing Krishna one day, for eating dirt or sand, he opened his mouth to show her, and she saw the whole Universe inside. That problem doesn’t come up on the parenting websites. As Krishna became known for his love, kindness and compassion, we can safely assume that this foster mom did a pretty good job.

4. Lupa

Two tiny baby boys abandoned next to a raging river on the order of a cruel king. What are the chances of them surviving? And look, here comes a giant shaggy wolf—they will be devoured! But no, this is the magnificent she-wolf, Lupa, who takes the babies to her den and feeds and cares for them. The symbol of the wolf suckling the infants Romulus and Remus is one of the most recognizable icons of ancient mythology. Just because your mom has four legs, doesn’t mean she loves you any less!

5. Aphrodite

Roman Venus or Greek Aphrodite, whichever name you prefer, this is the goddess of love. Whether you are looking for beauty, sex, or fertility, this is your go-to woman. If you need to soothe a grieving heart, call to Venus. But she can also help in a battle if you find yourself in more treacherous circumstances. The cool and gorgeous mom, she was also rather short-tempered and a little vain. She cursed poor Medusa in jealousy. Aphrodite birthed many children from many affairs, one of whom was Eros, mischievous god of desire. Just don’t tell her she looks tired.

6. Cybele

Anatolian Cybele was a mother goddess who rode a chariot pulled by lions. The chariot was usually followed by raucous music, wine, and merriment. An interesting mode of transport for the school run. Her Minoan equivalent is known as Rhea. Joyous dancing is a characteristic of this goddess, which might liven up the Parent Teacher meeting. In Roman tales, Cybele was a hermaphrodite and her priests castrated themselves and dressed as women. Gender-fluid is not just a “woke” concept after all.

7. Demeter

Mother of Persephone, Demeter was also known as Ceres in Roman mythology. Hades, god of the underworld, stole her daughter. In ancient times mothers had little or no control over what happened to their daughters. But Demeter was the goddess of fertility and the harvest, and she became so distressed at the loss of her daughter, that she caused a mass famine, refusing to end winter until Persephone was returned. Maybe this is the mother-daughter dynamic at its most powerful.

8. Cōātlīcue

Cōātlīcue, pronounced koh-at-lee-kway, is an Aztec mother goddess. Just like Gaia, she represents the whole Earth. This momma is big—10 feet tall, with snakes writhing across her entire body. She wore a necklace made of hearts and hands. A terrifying figure, she inspired great respect, and with 400 children to look after, discipline was certainly required. One of her sons killed his sister, defending his mother, the ultimate sibling rivalry story.

9. Medea

Misfit mother Medea punished her unfaithful husband by murdering their two children. Greek mythology involves a lot of killing, and women are not left out of the skirmishes. Is Medea a wronged woman driven to madness or a cold-blooded killer? Wife of Jason, leader of the Argonauts, she had already killed her brother earlier in life. Writer Euripedes portrayed her as a woman who deplored the oppression of women. She is a stand-out warning to the patriarchy for sure.

10. Kali

With life comes death, and no one knows this more than Kali, divine mother, divine destroyer. A Hindu goddess of time, death and destruction, at home on the battlefield as well as in the nursery. Female rage is often considered a blight on womanhood, but there are times when only Kali will do. This is the mother who tells you the truth—and that could mean pain or pleasure. Transcending the binaries of good/evil, Kali knows that the circle of life and mortality requires both birth and death, and she metes out both in equal measure.

The Great Mother

As the shops flood with cutesy Mother’s Day cards, let’s remember motherhood is not all hearts and flowers, bunnies and hugs. Sometimes children need the lioness with her roar, or the mama bear with her claws. Civilizations who turn their backs on strong female archetypes are missing something vital. Surely, all versions of maternity, of the women who nourish us and protect us should be honored and celebrated? Let us revere the image of the capable, muscular, powerful mother, warts and all! Which of our statues would you like to see in your town or city? Or do you have your own suggestions?