#bull-leaper
LightNews LightNews
chapps.bsky.social
The delicious orange-red color of this #Mycenaean sealstone almost distracts from its incredible engraved bull-leaping scene. The bull is realistically rendered, but the body of the leaper is elongated, shown in motion as he lets go of the bull's horns and prepares to land. 🏺 1/

1630-1440 BCE. 📸 me
This lentoid (lens-shaped) semitransparent orange-red carnelian sealstone is the largest seal from the grave of the Griffin Warrior at Pylos. Small scratches on the surface suggest it had been used to make impressions. The bull is realistically rendered, but the body of the leaper is elongated. The leaper is shown in motion as he lets go of the bull's horns, sails over the back of the bull, and prepares to land. A groundline is represented by downward-facing triangles between two parallel lines. Rather than being centered along the vertical axis, the string hole runs diagonally from the upper left to the lower right. Mycenaean, 1630/10-1450/40 BCE. From Pylos, Grave of the Griffin Warrior. Chora Archaeological Museum, Greece (SN24-0011) ------ On display at the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades, California, for the exhibition 'The Kingdom of Pylos'.
January 11, 2026 at 11:53 PM
flaroh.bsky.social
The Minoan Bull Leaper postcard prints and Bull Rhyton sticker have arrived! Available until Aug 31 ☺️ Patreon.com/flaroh
Photo of me holding the print and sticker
August 29, 2026 at 5:53 PM
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Timeless art from Minoan Crete!

Some 3,500 years ago, a Minoan sculptor transformed a piece of ivory into this dynamic and graceful figurine of a bull leaper!

From Knossos Palace. Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me

#Archaeology
My photo shows a small ivory figurine representing a male bull-leaper about to execute a mid-air somersault over a bull’s back. The figurine is balancing on straight arms above which a slim body forms a graceful arch, and legs (one missing), thrust up high into the air, slightly bent at the knees. The pose is somewhat reminiscent of that of a diver, except for the head which is raised and faces forwards rather than tucked between the arms. The figurine measures 28.7 cm. The ivory is now a warm creamy yellow, mottled with brown staining and fine cracks. It is displayed on a modern metal support structure in Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete. According to the museum ‘It is part of the only three-dimensional depiction of bull-leaping from the Palace of Knossos known to date. It was found together with at least two other ivory figurines and a faience bull’s head. The composition obviously depicts the moment when the athlete leaps over the bull, a scene familiar from Minoan frescoes and seals’ It goes on to say ‘the examination of the group under the microscope showed that the figures preserve traces of red paint, meaning that some features were painted on. They also had long hair made of copper gilt wires attached to the head, while thin pieces of gold foil found together with the statuettes may have been part of their clothing’
July 11, 2026 at 10:59 AM
danrealitybites.bsky.social
Was there a few weeks ago and saw so many amazing depictions of bulls to go along with your bull leaper
July 11, 2026 at 12:12 PM
mattleys.bsky.social
The bull leaper
April 26, 2026 at 10:10 AM
chapps.bsky.social
One of the forbidden gummies! Actually, it’s a sealstone depicting bull-jumping (shades of the Minotaur). A very realistic bull with an elongated jumper having just pushed off the horns, sailing over the beast.

One of several sealstones from the grave of the Griffin Warrior at Pylos. 🏺

📸 me
This orangish-red lentoid (lens-shaped) carnelian sealstone is the largest seal from the grave of the Griffin Warrior at Pylos. Small scratches on the surface suggest it had been used to make impressions. The bull is realistically rendered, but the body of the leaper is elongated. The leaper is shown in motion as he lets go of the bull's horns and prepares to land. A groundline is represented by downward-facing triangles between two parallel lines. Rather than being centered along the vertical axis, the string hole runs diagonally from the upper left to the lower right. Mycenaean, 1630/10-1450/40 BCE. From Pylos, Grave of the Griffin Warrior. Chora Archaeological Museum, Greece (SN24-0011) - on display at the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades, California, for the exhibition 'The Kingdom of Pylos'
June 28, 2025 at 4:19 AM
blueterraplane.bsky.social
Speaking of the bull leaper who had a problem, I think this may be my favorite artifact. This can't be what was meant to happen. (Heraklion Archeological Museum, my photo.)
An ancient Minoan statuette of a bull with three bull-leapers. One clings to the bull's face while the other two hang off each horn.
February 28, 2026 at 3:25 PM
charlayn.eurosky.social
Watching Ed Stafford's "Rite of Passage". He's with the Hamer of Ethiopia where to attain 'manhood' and be eligible to marry, young men need to successfully jump over a group of bulls. I'm reminded of the famous Minoan Bull-Leaper imagery and am now wondering: was it also an act of initiation?
The famous Bull-leaping fresco, from the palace at Knossos, depicts a critical moment in the event. Two female figures (in white) are positioned at each end of the bull, while a male figure (in brown) throws himself into a somersault off of the bull’s back. Although this fresco has been reconstructed—the darker fragments are the recovered pieces—the sport or ritual of bull-leaping is clearly depicted. The fresco dates to the Final Palace period, ca. 1450–1400 BC.
February 4, 2026 at 6:43 PM
skriptorium.info
Three and a half thousand year old bull leaper from Crete. Simply stunning.
archaeohawke.bsky.social Jon Hawke @archaeohawke.bsky.social · Jul 6
👀
Signet ring, said to come from Archanes, Crete, Late Minoan 1450-1375 BCE. Gold, bezel 3.4 x 2.2 cm, max. inner hoop diam. 1.85 cm.
AN1896-1908.AE.2237

See Alt for details.
Bull-leaping is one of the most enduring images from the Aegean Bronze Age. This image features on frescoes and objects from the Palace of Knossos and could be linked with the passing down of the myth of the Minotaur. This incredible signet ring dates back to 1450-1375 BCE. It shows an acrobatic man leaping over a bul, the paved floor indicates that this took place in or around the Palace. See it on display in Gallery 20, Level G. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CjgZwyqY3/
July 7, 2026 at 4:23 AM
belowmsl.bsky.social
Some ancient Mehrunes Dagon (Leaper Demon King) sketches. Featuring a random The Iron-Bull from Dragon Age.
July 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
templemom.bsky.social
A bit of shameless promo... my first ever romance novel, and of course it's set among the ancient Minoans!
* Gay romance
* Bull leapers
* Pagan rituals
* Pining and angst
* Happy ending
Details on my website (link in bio).
#books #BookSky #HistoricalFiction #GayRomance
Book cover of Leap! A Love Story by Laura Perry, featuring an image of the Minoan Bull Leaper fresco from Knossos with three people leaping over a charging bull. Behind the book cover is a faded image of the same fresco.
December 13, 2024 at 1:26 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Every card in my Minoan Tarot deck was inspired by a Minoan artifact or work of art. In this case, a single work of art - the Bull Leaper fresco - inspired two Major Arcana cards. I made this deck the old-fashioned way, with ink on paper.

www.minoantarot.com

#Minoan #Tarot #TarotSky #Art
The Minoan Bull Leaper fresco from Knossos with two Minoan Tarot cards, each of which depicts a part of the fresco. The fresco shows a large tan-and-white spotted longhorn bull galloping toward the left while three athletes in loincloths and boots perform bull leaping. A white-skinned athlete on the left hangs on the bull's horns. A red-skinned athlete in the center balances upside down on the bull's back. A white-skinned athlete on the right stands facing the bull with arms out, as if they have just landed from a leap. The Minoan Tarot card on the left, 8 Strength, shows the athlete hanging from the bull's horns. The card on the right, 14 Balance, shows the athlete balancing on the bull's back. Both the fresco and the cards have a detailed multicolor border all the way around.
February 27, 2026 at 1:10 PM
sugissimo.bsky.social
'Bauch Beine Po' #FotoVorschlag
Auch die Minoer kannten Übungen für Bauch, Beine und Po. Durch Stiersprung locker zu erzielen.
#sugophoto 📷 (heute Nr. 4)
#crete #iraklio #HeraklionArchaeologicalMuseum
#bull-leaper ⚱️ de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiersp...
Eine Elfenbeinstatuette in einer Vitrine im Museum von Heraklion vor bräunlichem Hintergrund. Sie zeigt das Fragment eines Stier-Springers oder Akrobaten. Eine Hand ist auf der Unterlage (der Stier existiert nicht mehr), der schlanke Körper zeigt nach oben, ein Bein (das zweite ist nicht vorhanden) ist steil in die Höhe gestreckt.
February 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Did you know that I wrote a gay romance novel? It's set among the bull-leaper community in ancient Crete. Can Adelphos forgive himself and open his heart to love once again?

Details: www.lauraperryauthor.com/leap-a-love-...

#BookSky #PaganSky #GayRomance #QueerFiction #LGBTQReads
A paperback copy of Leap! A Love Story by Laura Perry standing up in front of a blue background. The book cover features the Minoan Bull Leaper fresco. Surrounding the book is text connected to the book with arrows. The text reads, "gay romance, ancient Minoans, bull leapers, pagan ritual, pining and angst, happy ending."
February 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Gay romance set among the bull leapers of ancient Crete. Can Adelphos forgive himself and open his heart to love once again? Lightly spicy, heavily angsty and full of longed-for happy endings.

Details: www.lauraperryauthor.com/leap-a-love-...

#book #BookSky #pagan #fiction
A paperback copy of Leap! A Love Story by Laura Perry stands in front of a blue background. The book cover features the Minoan Bull Leaper fresco from Knossos. The book is surrounded by snippets of text that connect to the book with arrows. The text reads, "gay romance, ancient Minoans, bull leapers, pagan ritual, pining and angst, happy ending."
August 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
cmrosens.com
More stuff! Alt text for description and context.
Large double headed axes (3) mounted on poles and painted blocks Pyramidal porphyry weight, 24kg, with an Octopus carving relief and an attachment hole. Probably used for measuring and standardising the weight of copper ingots. Knossos Palace, 1500-1450BCE Copper figurine of a bull leaper, three dimensional male figure, attempt to capture the movement and athleticism of the feat. No bull. Mounted on a metal strip. Votive double headed axes, some inscribed.
November 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
fyrdrakken.bsky.social
That looks just a scootch familiar...
Minoan bull leaping fresco. One person at the horns of a running bull, another somersaulting over the bull's back, while the third person stands behind the bull reaching towards the leaper.
February 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
templemom.bsky.social
As an author, I'm a small business doing my best to be seen and heard in the loud and crowded marketplace. Each week, I share one of my creations with you. Maybe one of them will ring your chimes. Book details: www.lauraperryauthor.com/leap-a-love-...

#book #BookSky #GayRomance #QueerFiction
A paperback copy of Leap! A Love Story by Laura Perry stands in front of a blue background. The book cover features the Minoan Bull Leaper fresco from Knossos. The book is surrounded by snippets of text that connect to the book with arrows. The text reads, "gay romance, ancient Minoans, bull leapers, pagan ritual, pining and angst, happy ending."
October 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
templemom.bsky.social
I created this coloring book (by hand, no clipart or AI) because I wanted a historically accurate Minoan coloring book, and there wasn't one available. Details and sample coloring pages via the link below.

www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#Minoan #Coloring #ColoringBook
The cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry next to a neatly laid out stack of colored pencils in a variety of different colors. The coloring book cover features colored-in versions of the Minoan Snake Goddess, the Bull Leaper Fresco, and the Ladies in Blue fresco as well as an uncolored (black and white) line drawing of a Minoan octopus vase.
April 10, 2026 at 12:44 PM
templemom.bsky.social
As an author and artist, I'm a small business doing my best to be seen and heard in the loud and crowded marketplace. Each week, I share one of my creations with you. Maybe one of them will ring your chimes!

www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#ColoringBook #Minoan #art
Book cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry, on a blue gradient background surrounded by snippets of text. The book cover is black with brightly colored images of Minoan art such as the Snake Goddess and the Bull Leaper fresco. The text is connected to the book with arrows. The text reads, "Real Minoan Art, Snake Goddesses, Bull Leapers, Prancing Dolphins, Griffins and Bees, Ancient Priestesses."
November 6, 2025 at 5:33 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Looking for a holiday gift made by a real artist, with no AI or clipart? Check out my Minoan Coloring Book! Hand drawn art for you to color: snake goddesses, bull leapers, dolphins and more.

Details & sample pix here: www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#PaganSky #WitchSky #art #Coloring
Book cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry, with colorful images of the Minoan Snake Goddess, Bull Leaper fresco, Minoan ladies, and a round jar with a wriggly octopus on it. The images are all on a black background. To the left of the book cover is the faded image of a row of colored pencils.
December 19, 2024 at 3:56 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Yes, folks, I wrote a gay romance novel! It's Minoan-themed (a total surprise, I'm sure 😉) and is set among the bull leaping community of ancient Crete.

www.lauraperryauthor.com/leap-a-love-...
A paperback copy of Leap! A Love Story by Laura Perry stands in front of a blue background. The book cover features the Minoan Bull Leaper fresco from Knossos. The book is surrounded by snippets of text that connect to the book with arrows. The text reads, "gay romance, ancient Minoans, bull leapers, pagan ritual, pining and angst, happy ending."
May 8, 2026 at 12:06 PM
templemom.bsky.social
May I interest you in a coloring book as a temporary distraction from the Big World? I drew all the art myself (no AI, no clipart) based on ancient Minoan art and artifacts. Details and sample pages here:

www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#ColoringBook #Minoan #art
Book cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry, on a blue gradient background surrounded by snippets of text. The book cover is black with brightly colored images of Minoan art such as the Snake Goddess and the Bull Leaper fresco. The text is connected to the book with arrows. The text reads, "Real Minoan Art, Snake Goddesses, Bull Leapers, Prancing Dolphins, Griffins and Bees, Ancient Priestesses."
January 15, 2026 at 5:21 PM
templemom.bsky.social
Looking for a little summer fun? Check out my Minoan coloring book! Real art by a real human being (no AI, no clipart) for you to color and enjoy!

www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#Pagan #PaganSky #Minoan #Coloring #ColoringBook
Book cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry, on a blue gradient background surrounded by snippets of text. The book cover is black with brightly colored images of Minoan art such as the Snake Goddess and the Bull Leaper fresco. The text is connected to the book with arrows. The text reads, "Real Minoan Art, Snake Goddesses, Bull Leapers, Prancing Dolphins, Griffins and Bees, Ancient Priestesses."
June 26, 2026 at 11:23 AM
templemom.bsky.social
Take a break from the insanity and immerse yourself in the joy of the ancient Minoans! I drew all these designs myself - no AI or clipart - based on real Minoan art and artifacts.

Details and sample pix: www.lauraperryauthor.com/minoan-color...

#ColoringBook #AdultColoringBook #Minoan #art
Front cover of The Minoan Coloring Book by Laura Perry, featuring the Minoan Snake Goddess, the Bull Leaper Fresco, the Ladies in Blue fresco, and a jug decorated with an octopus, all on a black background. The book cover is surrounded by text that is connected to the book with arrows. The text reads, "Real Minoan Art, Snake Goddesses, Bull Leapers, Prancing Dolphins, Griffins and Bees, Ancient Priestesses."
March 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM