Hecate is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, light, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery. Here she is depicted as a singular being holding a light torch, flanked by her dogs.
 
Dogs were a common sacrificial animal in rites to invoke the goddess, and the sacrificed dog was often eaten, but some theories hold that Hecates dogs were actually shades or demons.