The initiation of a young girl in the Dionysian Mysteries is depicted on the frescoes of the so-called Villa of the Mysteries (villa in the northwestern suburbs of Pompeii).

The initiation begins with young Dionysus reading a papyrus with the ritual of initiation, in the presence of the initiate standing on the left with her head covered and the priestess sitting on the right. Afterwards, the initiate is directed to a group of three women, holding the offerings. Farther to the right, there is a pastoral scene: an ecstatic Silenus plays the lyre with two young Satyrs next to him. One of them plays a Pan flute and the other feeds a deer. At the right corner, the initiate appears terrified, facing the flagellation that is about to follow.  

On the east wall, the god Dionysus lies in the arms of his wife Ariadne. The scene, significantly destroyed, symbolizes the metaphysical happiness that awaits the initiates. The god wears an ivy wreath and his sacred symbol, the thyrsos (stick that ends in a pine cone with ivy and vine leaves), falls on him. On the left, a seated Silenus offers a cup of wine to a young Satyr. He sees in the cup the reflection of a terrifying mask that is held by a second Satyr behind him. On the right, two women holding a basket with the ritual secret symbols of Dionysus proceed to the demonic deity with the black wings. She raises relentlessly the whip towards the initiate who resorts to one of her companions (on the south wall). 

After the trials’ successful overcoming, the initiate plays the rattles and dances freely and happily with her friend, who holds the thyrsos. Finally, the new-initiate is preparing for the holy wedding. A servant (therapainida) combs the young girl who now wears a rich garment. Two Cupids surround them; the left one holds a mirror and the right one admires her beauty.