Fertility Goddess
/fərˈtɪlɪti ˈɡɒdəs/noun
A female deity associated with reproduction, agricultural abundance, or the generative forces of nature.
Did you know?Many ancient fertility deities were not exclusively sexual figures: they could also govern grain, livestock, childbirth, death, and the renewal of the seasons.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“To carry, bear, or bring forth; the deep root behind fertility-related ideas of bearing and producing.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
ferre
“To carry or bear; the source of Latin fertilis, literally describing something fruitful or productive.”
Classical Latin
Latin
fertilis
“Fruitful, fertile, productive, or capable of bearing abundance.”
Old English
Old English
goddes
“A female deity; the feminine form of god, created with the feminine suffix -ess.”
Middle English
Middle English
fertilite goddess
“A developing English descriptive phrase for a goddess connected with fertility and abundance.”
Modern English
English
fertility goddess
“A conventional term in mythology, archaeology, anthropology, and popular spirituality for a female deity linked to generative power.”