The symbols are extremely important when discussing the ancient Greek cultur and myths. Both major and minor gods had symbols and physical attributes that identified them. Each god and goddess had their own domain of power and influence, which often pointed to items, plants, and wild animals.
In this activity, students will create representations of various Greek gods, the number of which is at the teacher's discretion. Students will create a traditional storyboard with titles (names) and descriptions of each Greek god and their symbols. In each cell, students need to depict the god with a scene and at least one item or animal.
The example below includes the twelve Olympians and an additional four. Hades and Hestia are siblings of Zeus, Persephone is the daughter of Demeter and wife to Hades, and Hercules is a famous demi-god who ascended to Olympus at his death. Feel free to provide your students a list of deities and their signs, or even have them illustrate as many as they can think of!
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important symbols for Olympians in Greek Mythology.
Engage students by hiding images or objects that represent Greek god symbols around your classroom. Let students search in teams, matching each found item to the correct god or goddess. This hands-on activity builds symbol recognition and deepens their understanding of mythology.
Review the rules before starting: no running, respect classroom materials, and work together. Outline how many symbols each team must find and what to do when a symbol is located. Clear guidelines ensure a fair and productive hunt.
Designate roles within each group, such as a team leader, recorder, and finder. Encourage students to collaborate and discuss clues together. This fosters group cooperation and keeps everyone involved.
After the hunt, gather students and have each group share which symbols they found and which god or goddess each represents. Discuss why those symbols fit their deities. Reflection helps reinforce learning and encourages deeper connections.
Greek gods and goddesses are often identified by unique symbols tied to their powers and stories. For example, Zeus is linked with the lightning bolt and eagle, Poseidon with the trident and horse, and Athena with the owl and armor. These symbols help students recognize each deity’s domain and personality.
Engage students by having them create storyboards showing each god or goddess with their symbols and a related scene. Use drawing, crafting, or digital tools to illustrate symbols like the trident for Poseidon or owl for Athena. This hands-on activity makes learning memorable and interactive.
Gods like Zeus (lightning bolt), Poseidon (trident), Athena (owl), and Aphrodite (rose or dove) are especially easy for middle schoolers to identify thanks to their distinct, memorable symbols often seen in popular culture and stories.
Ask students to match gods and goddesses to their symbols using flashcards or a storyboard template. They can draw the symbol, write a brief description, and connect it to the deity’s role—great for visual and kinesthetic learners.
Symbols helped ancient Greeks easily identify gods and goddesses and understand their powers or domains. For example, a trident instantly signaled Poseidon, while a peacock represented Hera. Symbols made myths easier to remember and retell.