God of wine, the grape vine, fertility, festivity, ecstasy, madness and resurrection. He is the son of Zeus and the mortal Theban princess Semele. Married to the Cretan princess Ariadne. The youngest Olympian god, as well as the only god who is said to have a mortal parent. His magical gift distill from the vines was the bringer of both ecstasy and madness. His intoxicating creation can kindle rivalry in his drinkers and also ignite drunken chaos.

In ancient times, his worshippers would gather in the forest and dance in his honor, drinking until the reached a primal frenzy. The warriors of Troy sought relief from the fury in his potent brew. Indeed this is true for war throughout the ages. But Dionysus was also known as the god of the theater and some of the world's greatest ancient poetry was written for him, and all those who participated from the writer to the actors and singers were thought to be his servants.

So next you have a glass of wine, raise your cup to Dionysus, but never forget that it is a fine line between blessing and ruin, when it comes to the power of the vine. His symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup, tiger, panther, leopard, dolphin, goat, and pinecone. His Roman counterpart is Bacchus.