Symbols of the Gods
In Greek Mythology, the Olympians, Gods and Monsters symbolize the domains in which they rule. For example Zeus – King of the Olympians and God of the Heavens rules over the sky. When the weather turns, storms erupt and lightning crashes, it is believed that Zeus is expressing his rage and power. Because this weather event is always explained through fables of Zeus, his symbol becomes the lightning bolt. The same is true of most of not all other deities within Greek Mythology. Symbols are assigned to express the domains, personality and sometimes power associated with the Gods.
Offerings to the Gods
While the most common offering to appease most any Greek God is burning the fat off meat, and wine; each God has certain offerings that they favor. It is believed that by making regular offerings to your Greek God of choice, along with other worship rituals and prayer, you have a higher chance of being favored by said God and helped in times of need.
Why make offerings?
Through fables in Greek Mythology, we learn that the Gods are prideful and rely on worship just as much as humans rely on them for the benefits of their domain. Offerings to the Gods are said to help them listen to and answer your prayers. It also builds good relationships with the gods and allows for you to be blessed within their domains. When discussing the Gods of the Underworld, one may make offerings to help secure a better standing during judgement, help a loved one pass more peacefully to The Underworld or to avoid angering Hades resulting in longer life.
Offerings to the Gods of Death
While each deity associated with Death & The Underworld has their own specific preferred offerings and rituals a general rule of thumb to appease those associated with Death & The Underworld falls under one of three main categories; dark fruit and wine, black animals, and flowers.