The Three Graces (1786), by Jean François Janinet (in public domain), symbol of love, beauty and fertility, are transformed into Lilith, Eve and Nix.

Lilith, a nocturnal demon, the passion that arises at night, baby killer, prostitute or simply an emancipated woman who doesn't submit to male pressure. Sprung from the same clay as Adam, Lilith persists in opposing him, claiming equality. She is punished and so are her children. She remains thrown into the abyss, in the imagination of those who fight for equality. Her symbol is the serpent.

Eve is twofold, a controversial image, guilty for the loss of Paradise but also capable of making her own decisions, daring to disobey the Divine and assuming the right to live between good and evil. Her impulse is for change, she walks between light and darkness. Her symbol is the apple.

Nix is Night, daughter of Chaos and sister of darkness, she is the beginning, the creative impulse and her symbol is the owl. Composed of abstractions as well as what exists in the night, Nix conceives creatures of good and evil. From the darkness of the night comes the harbinger of reality and light.

Text based on the book Mujeres, mitos y diosas, by Martha Robles.

Digital illustration.