<P> Minoan religion was the religion of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization of Crete . Modern scholars have reconstructed it almost totally on the basis of archaeological remains rather than texts . Minoan religion is considered to have been closely related to Near Eastern prehistoric religions, and its central deity is generally agreed to have been a goddess . Prominent Minoan sacred symbols include the bull and its horns of consecration, the labrys (double - headed axe), and the serpent . </P> <P> Based on archaeological evidence of such as paintings, statuettes, and seal rings, it is clear that the dominant figure in Minoan religion was a goddess, with whom a younger male figure, perhaps a consort or son, is often associated, usually in contexts suggesting that the male figure is a worshiper . The Goddess was also often associated with animals, especially the snake, but also with bull, lion, and dove . She seems to have been served by priestesses, but there is no evidence that Minoan religious practice was centered around formal public temples . Some scholars see in the Minoan Goddess a female divine solar figure . </P> <P> Károly Kerényi believed that the most important goddess was Ariadne, daughter of King Minos and mistress of the labyrinth who is identified in Linear B (Mycenean Greek) tablets in Knossos . Though the notorious bull - headed Minotaur is a purely Greek depiction, seals and seal - impressions reveal bird - headed or masked deities . </P>

Where were the shrines of minoan religious practice generally located