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Ancient Goddesses in New York

An Online Guide to Discovering the Sacred Feminine in
Museums, Temples, and Public Places

Goddess of Harmony

 

A goddess graces the State Building in Albany. She is known as Goddess of Harmony and the Spirit of New York.

 

 

A Goddess Presides Over Albany

 Randy Duchaine / Alamy Stock Photo

 

The Goddess of Harmony is the center of a mural at the State of New York - NY Capitol Building ceiling, Albany, NY. This is a very ornate mural on a domed ceiling on the second floor of the Capitol building in a room called the Governor's Reception Room. It is often called the "war room" because of its decorations' largely military theme and the goddess appears to have military powers and symbols (sword and shield). But since she is meant to represent Harmony perhaps her prowess is to keep the peace. "William de Leftwich Dodge painted this mural in panels in his studio anticipating that it would be viewed from a distance of 40 feet, from the floor of the flag room on the first floor. However, removing the second floor floor proved to be impractical. As a result, the mural is a little hard to take in, but viewers have an unusual opportunity to see a work of great magnitude close up.
 

She was Inspired by Goddess Concordia or Harmonia 

Image:vermeld-op-object-naar-ontwerp-van-Janssen-Concordia-ca-1600---ca-1699

 

New York's Goddess of Harmony is modeled after the ancient goddess known as Concordia. In the ancient Roman religion, she was the personification of "concord," or "agreement."  She was important to the people of the Roman state. She was also known by ancient Greeks as Goddess Harmonia. In Greek Mythology. she was the Greek goddess of harmony, balance, and the soothing of strife or discord. Her polar opposite was the goddess Eris, who encouraged strife and discord among both gods/goddesses and men and women.

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