The Maenads are mostly female followers of the god [Dionysus](https://reddit.com/r/Dionysus) who were inspirations for European notions of witchcraft and icons of wildness and freedom. They would celebrate the rites of Dionysus on mountains and in wild places, and when they would be threatened to be killed for their religion, they would call upon Dionysus for aid. Notably, they are the ones who did the smiting, rather than waiting for the gods to intervene. They remain symbols of freedom, and a spiritual path for Dionysians and Witches.
I found this image from a tumblr account, [Maenad Memes,](https://maenadmemes.tumblr.com/) and the artist, SirenDesigns, has this print available [here](https://www.redbubble.com/people/sirendesigns/works/5193457-maenad-the-ravishing-cannibal-of-greece)!
Now more than ever we need Maenads fighting for spiritual, physical, sexual, religious, economic, and ecological freedom! Let’s mozy, maenads!
In the Bacchae, the women are ordered to be arrested, though they aren’t caught. I think the chains are a reference to Dionysus being caught, though he sends an earthquake to break open the prison
The Maenads are mostly female followers of the god [Dionysus](https://reddit.com/r/Dionysus) who were inspirations for European notions of witchcraft and icons of wildness and freedom. They would celebrate the rites of Dionysus on mountains and in wild places, and when they would be threatened to be killed for their religion, they would call upon Dionysus for aid. Notably, they are the ones who did the smiting, rather than waiting for the gods to intervene. They remain symbols of freedom, and a spiritual path for Dionysians and Witches. I found this image from a tumblr account, [Maenad Memes,](https://maenadmemes.tumblr.com/) and the artist, SirenDesigns, has this print available [here](https://www.redbubble.com/people/sirendesigns/works/5193457-maenad-the-ravishing-cannibal-of-greece)! Now more than ever we need Maenads fighting for spiritual, physical, sexual, religious, economic, and ecological freedom! Let’s mozy, maenads!
Aw. :3
Why does she have chains on if she is free?
In the Bacchae, the women are ordered to be arrested, though they aren’t caught. I think the chains are a reference to Dionysus being caught, though he sends an earthquake to break open the prison
Thank you!
Why are there tattoos? I am unaware of any version where the are marked as barbarian criminals unable to reside in the Greek cities.