Pasiphae (meaning “wide-shining” or “all-shining”) was a que

Pasiphae (meaning “wide-shining” or “all-shining”) was a queen of Crete in Greek mythology. She was also the mother of Asterion, otherwise known as the Minotaur. Ancient Cretan myth heavily featured sacred bulls, and it is likely that the original story did not involve mating with a literal bovine. However, the Athenians interpreted this myth to include a curse that filled the queen with lust for the finest bull in the land (one of Poseidon’s). Ancient pottery often features images of Pasiphae tenderly nursing her child, despite his later monstrousness.

This image is part of a commissioned series featuring the mothers of ancient Greek mythological characters.