Animal figure

The bull was a sacred animal to the inhabitants of ancient Crete. It played an important role in rituals and festivities, and bulls are often depicted in Minoan art. We also find references to bulls in mythology, for instance in the stories about the Minotaur of Crete. This votive figurine from the Minoan period is a stylised representation of a bull. It is believed to originate from the palace of Phaistos.