Kallisto, was a figure in Greek mythology who was an Amazon warrior and daughter of the king of Arcadia. According to legend, Kallisto was a follower of the goddess Artemis, and she pledged to remain a virgin. However, Zeus, the king of the gods, fell in love with her and disguised himself as Artemis to seduce her. As a result, Kallisto became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Arkas.
When Artemis found out that Kallisto had broken her vow of virginity, she was enraged and transformed Kallisto into a bear. Zeus, feeling guilty for his actions, placed Kallisto in the heavens as the constellation Ursa Major, where she is still visible today.
In some versions of the myth, Kallisto and her son Arkas were hunted by her own father, King Lykaon. When they were caught, Zeus intervened, placing them in the sky as the constellations Ursa Major and Minor.
Kallisto is often depicted as a strong, independent woman, and her story is seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to the desires of powerful men.
Kallisti is a modern name that is derived from the ancient Greek name Kallisto, which means “the most beautiful” in Greek. The name is most commonly associated with the Greek island of Santorini, also known as Thira, which is steeped in ancient history and mythology.
The story of Kallisto and the island of Santorini are closely linked, as according to the Greek historian Herodotus, the Phoenicians in the 13th century BC named the island Kallisti , as they were mesmerized by its extraordinary beauty.
Santorini island, also known as Kallisti-Thira, is steeped in history dating back to ancient times. The ancient city of Akrotiri, believed to have been established around the 17th century BC, was one of the most advanced and prosperous Minoan settlements of the Aegean before it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC.
At KALLI LEVI, we strive to create in harmony with nature and high quality standards, inspired by our daughter Kallisti and local culture. Our mission is to bring to life the spirit of Ancient Greek aesthetics in our products, and to share it with the world.