The Muse Tattoo Meaning
Inspiration, creativity, delight, and the source of all art.
The nine Muses were daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory). Each presided over a different art: Calliope over epic poetry, Clio over history, Erato over love poetry, Euterpe over music, Melpomene over tragedy, Polyhymnia over hymns, Terpsichore over dance, Thalia over comedy, and Urania over astronomy.
Poets and artists invoked the Muses at the beginning of their works - Homer's Iliad begins 'Sing, O Muse...' The Muses represent inspiration not as personal genius but as something received from beyond, a gift that flows through the artist from a divine source.
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