Bacchus is the Roman god of intoxication and liberation. Bacchus is the Romanized aspect of the Greek god Dionysus. The festival of Bacchus became known as Bacchanal. Images of Bacchus depict him as wearing a headdress of grapes and vine leaves. He is typically portrayed as bearded and rustic in nature. From this can be seen the Green Man image that influenced many of the folk customs of Europe. Bacchus is the spirit of the grapevine and is connected to wine and intoxication. In mystery traditions, many believed that intoxication came not from the plant itself, but from the spirit of the plant or the divine essence. Bacchus therefore represents the ecstasy of the spirit when one is freed or liberated from the constraints of formal society.
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