What happens at Eleusis, stays at Elevsis. Or maybe it's Elefsis.

I am so excited to tell you a secret. A word or language puzzle to solve. A very secret password of sorts. It’s in the way of saying and of writing Eleusis.

Depending on how you say it, the listener will recognize you, or not. And if they don’t know it, recognize it, they won’t know that you are really sharing that you were an initiate at the Eleusinian mysteries. The mysteries and the ceremonies were kept under wraps for sure! It was forbidden to talk about them or share with non-initiates. It wasn’t easy to get invited. You had to speak Greek and to not have murdered someone.

“The change in the spelling of the name is based on a dominant type of writing, where the Latin U is replaced by the ancient Latin V, the inverted Greek L (Λ). In this way, the coexistence of the Upper and the Underworld is recalled, which was a key feature of Elefsinian mythology. Eliminating all possible difficulties and confusions in pronunciation, the choice of V creates a global and indisputable sound identity of Elefsis, strengthening its international character, which is one of the main goals of the European Capital of Culture. Besides, V, which was the main writing almost until the 14th century before the appearance of U, was used frequently in the place of Y in ancient and modern inscriptions.”

So, that’s a very long story of Upper and Lower Mythology- but simply put, who’s down to learn a little Greek and go with me?

modern day Elevsis

Secrets abound about the mysteries at Elevsis.