The Good Goddess

In ancient Rome, Bona Dea was a goddess of fertility, also known as the “The Good Goddess” and “The Goddess for Women.”She was also the patron of the good of the earth and of chastity and virginity in women. Bona Dea was often invoked for healing and for freedom from slavery; and many worshiperers were women who were trying to conceive a child. They might make offerings to her in hopes of being granted a fertile womb. Most often, she was identified as the wife, sister or daughter of the god Faunus, thus an equivalent or aspect of the nature-goddess Fauna, who could prophesy the fates of women.

Bona Dea was sometimes depicted with a scepter, vine leaves, wine, and a serpent, usually curled around her arm which was a symbol of fertility. Sometimes she was depicted seated, holding a cornucopia, a symbol of abundance. Her image appeared on many Roman coins.



The goddess had two annual festivals. May 1 was the annual, state-sponsored festival to Bona Dea was held at her Aventine temple. In early December, there was another private festival as well. In breaking with normal Roman tradition, her private festival was not held at her temple, but instead, high-ranking women would gather at the house of Rome's most prominent magistrates, the Pontifex Maximus. While there, the magistrate's wife led secret rituals at which men were forbidden. It was even prohibited to discuss men or anything masculine at the ritual. While the details of these rites are unknown, it is believed they were related to agriculture and fertility.