In Hellenic Polytheism Dionysus (Greek: Διόνυσος) is the great Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure and festivity. He is depicted as either an older bearded god or a pretty effeminate, long-haired youth. His attributes include the thyrsos (a pine-cone tipped staff), drinking cup, leopard and fruiting vine. He was usually accompanied by a troop of Satyrs and Mainades (female devotees or nymphs). He is a major, popular figure of Greek Tradition and religion, and is included in some lists of the twelve Olympians. Dionysus was the last god to be accepted into Mt. Olympus. He is the youngest and the only one to have a mortal mother. Dionysus is presented as both a son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, thus semi-divine or heroic: and as son of Zeus and Persephone or Demeter, thus both fully divine, part-chthonic and possibly identical with Iacchus of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The bull, serpent, tiger, ivy, and wine are characteristic of Dionysian atmosphere. Dionysus is also strongly associated with satyrs, centaurs, and sileni. He is often shown riding a leopard, wearing a leopard skin, or in a chariot drawn by panthers, and may also be recognized by the thyrsus he carries. Besides the grapevine and its wild barren alter-ego, the toxic ivy plant, both sacred to him, the fig is also his symbol. The pinecone that tips his thyrsus links him to Cybele. Dionysus has two extreme natures to his personality. For instance, he can shift from bringing bliss and relaxation, which then can transitioned into bitterness and fury. Dionysus personifies the nature of wine. When used reasonably it can be pleasant, however, if misused it can provoke negative effects.
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