In the last post in the series, we listened to some of the music found online dedicated to Ares. This time, we will look at visual art and the symbols often associated with Ares that you can use in your own devotion and artwork.
The Panoply: armor and weapons are a mainstay of Ares symbolism. Ares is very rarely depicted without at least a helmet, and even many nudes, like the Ares Ludovisi or Ares Borghese, depict Ares with some implement or accouterments nearby. My own emblem for the god depicts a spear set through a Corinthian helm with the transverse crest of an officer. The Thracians used an old iron sword as their cult image even.
Snakes/Dragons: Ares is often depicted with a snake, either a real one as in the photo below or on his shield. These potent creatures were probably associated with Ares due to his sneaky nature and often foul temper, and anyone who has ever encountered a rattler would know that even though the snake is probably more scared of you, they can still be nasty and aggressive. 
Horses: the epithet of the Ares worshiped at Olympia was “Hippios”, “of horses”. Ares was the progenitor of the man-eating mares of Thracian Diomedes. While they are often associated with Poseidon, Ares was often the patron of horse and chariot races, especially onward into Roman times.
The colors red and purple: the color red is often associated with Ares for two reasons: blood and Sparta. The blood of men is Ares’s food, and his shield was described as always being fresh with gore, so it’s pretty safe to assume Ares was very red and/or brownish red most of the time. His planet, Mars, is the red planet. Now purple may not seem to be very intuitive, but the Thracian warriors and priests wore purple, as did the later Roman emperors, who were always priests of Ares/Mars if not conflated into the same being.
Animals” all sorts of animals are associated with Ares other than snakes and horses, though they are the most prominent. Dogs are associated with Ares because Spartan ephebes would sacrifice them before ritual combat. Ares is also associated with the vulture, eagle owl, barn owl, and woodpecker. whom he created with the help of Hermes. I also personally associate ants with Ares.
This should give you plenty to get started with when you go off to create your own devotional projects. If you want to go deeper into Ares’ cult, I suggest staying tuned in. In the next few posts, I will be covering constructing prayers and hymns using Ares’ titles, holy days and more. If you have any topics you wish to see covered, or have any suggestions or comments regarding other symbols you use, let everyone know in the comments. Until then, hail Ares!
Aspis of Ares 