Iris was married to Zephyrus, the god of the west wind and the couple had a son, a minor god called Pothos but according to some sources, their son was called Eros. "[Hera] kept watch within the sky, angered in her heart greatly and beyond telling, and she prevented Leto who was holden in the pangs of child-birth. . Campbell, Vol. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) [Apollon and] Iris, who is the messenger among the immortal gods, and spoke to them and addressed them in winged words : Zeus wishes both of you to go to him with all speed, at Ida; but when you have come there and looked upon Zeus' countenance, then you must do whatever he urges you, and his orders. So he spoke, and goldenwing Iris divine smiled to hear; then went her way, paddling in the false shape of a falcon . From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iris-Greek-mythology. She is depicted as a beautiful golden goddess, with wings (for flight), sandals, a staff, and a tunic. 189 ff (trans. There they sat and threatened all the cities which Leto approached and prevented them from receiving her . The hearts of the great can be changed. (Athen. AELLOPUS (Aellopous), a surname of Iris, the messenger of the gods, by which she is described as swift-footed like a storm-wind. Iris flowers have six attractive and colourful lobes. Athena is an ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft and warfare. Iris could travel to the deepest parts of the sea and the highest reaches of the heavens, as well. She is the goddess of the rainbow. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) [and upon their meeting] the Thaumantian [Iris] rose on swift wings and fled. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Please follow this link to the Archetypes page to discover which other Goddess Archetypes may resonate with you. Iris, goldenwing bride of plantnourishing Zephyros, happy mother of Eros (Love) [i.e. . Gill, N.S. After delivering Hera's command, Iris left immediately, not standing to be near Hypnos for too long, for his powers took hold of her, and made her dizzy and sleepy. In myth she appears only as an errand-running messenger and was usually described as a virgin goddess. Iris : What do you mean? 'Avalon Sunset' (apricot); 'Throb' (yellow); 'Syncopation' (violet-orange, brown edges). "The thunder crashed and storms of blinding rain poured down from heaven. to C1st A.D.) : A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. In Metamorphoses Book XI, Ovid shows Iris in her rainbow-hued gown serving as a messenger goddess for Hera. "Juno's [Hera's] maid [Iris the rainbow], who glides down through the liquid air and binds her pictured arc about the rainy sky. Then in turn the shaker of the earth Poseidon spoke to her : Now this, divine Iris, was a word quite properly spoken. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use Privacy Policy. 201. xviii. She is often shown in art at Heras side and working on her behalf. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Of course, this is the very first sign a goddess is calling you. 103 ff (trans. Discover the names of the star Goddesses and the regions that they came from. You don't answer. Pisthetairos : Of which gods are you speaking? Iris was known as the goddess of the rainbow and another messenger for the gods in Greek mythology. Today, there are very few people who know her name. Hesiod wrote that Iris had a twin sister named Arke. A daughter of Thaumas and Electra, it seems that Iris was the only divine messenger in the earlier days, but at a later time, when Hermes assumed that function as well, she became Hera 's faithful servant. Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) : Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 315 ff (trans. She is seen today in both Roman, and Greek mythology, as an important figure to Greece, and the gods. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : . She did this either by bringing them to the attention of the other deities or fulfilling them herself. "The goddess [Aphrodite] departed in pain [from the Trojan battlefield], hurt badly [by Diomedes], and Iris wind-footed took her by the hand and led her away from the battle, her lovely skin blood-darkened, wounded and suffering . Leader of the Chorus [of Birds] : Scan all sides with your glance. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : Her primary myth involves the abduction of her daughter by the god of the underworld. . "Hera made her way brooding to the waters of Khremetes [Chremetes, a river of North Africa] in the west . Iris symbols include the rainbow, caduceus and pitcher. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) In their youth the sisters were companions of Artemis. . Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : As Zeuss personal herald, he flew around the world at top speed to deliver the words of the king of Mount Olympus. Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C. Many cultures view the rainbow as a connecting point between the gods and mankind. In ancient art, Iris is depicted as a winged young woman carrying a caduceus, the symbol of the messengers, and a pitcher of water for the gods. Instead, she is portrayed as a beautiful, winged Goddess, holding a pitcher full of nectar. ", Virgil, Aeneid 9. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. keep motionless! 4.479, Vergil Aeneid 9.2, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.20), (Alcaeus Frag 257; Eustathius on Homer 555, Nonnus Dionysiaca 47.340). Iris is the messenger goddess of the Olympian gods. . (2020, August 27). "Iris storm-footed sprang away . Iris Facts & Trivia. After the birth of Hermes, Iris lost her position as the personal messenger of Zeus. Podarces was also the original name of Priam, the king of Troy. : Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 4. ", Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 14. Iris begged him to fasten Kronion with slumber for the course of one day only . "The fleet [of Aeneas] that Iris Junonia [Juno-Hera's envoy], nearly fired, cast off and left behind Hippotades' [Aiolos' (Aeolus')] domain. By command of Zeus, the king of the gods, she carries a ewer of water from the River Styx, with which she puts to sleep all who perjure themselves. In Book 4, Juno dispatches her to pluck a lock of hair from the head of Queen Dido, so that she may die and enter Hades. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Did Argus Panoptes Really Have A Hundred Eyes? 2 In the Homeric poems she appears as the minister of the Olympian gods, who carries messages from Ida to Olympus, from gods to gods, and from gods to men. . [17], In Aristophanes's comedy The Birds, the titular birds build a city in the sky and plan to supplant the Olympian gods. The bird-woman hybrids were monsters that flew above isolated islands in the Mediterranean. She is. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) They stepped out on dry land and swept to the sky. Iris is the child of Thaumas and Electra. . During this time, Iris performed several vital tasks like informing Menelaus of his wife Helens abduction and granting the prayers of Achilles. Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homers Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. Even though Hermes became the more famous of the two messenger deities it seems that in the earlier days Iris monopolized the function. She was a messenger of the Olympian gods as mentioned in Homers Iliad. Campbell, Vol. 122, xv. She mounted the chariot and beside her entering Iris gathered the reins up and whipped them into a run, and they winged their way unreluctant. . One of the beloved iris varieties for cutting gardens is Dutch iris. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 2. Iris : Of which? (She pauses in her flight.) [came] a messenger of the heavenly ones, Iris.". in Apoll. . ", Statius, Thebaid 12. 787, xviii. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. . . : Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. Her genealogy too supports the opinion that Iris was originally the personification of the rainbow. Armed with the brand of Zeus, justice would annihilate your race; the lightning would strike you as it did Likymnios and consume both your body and the porticos of your palace. The water would render unconscious for one year any god or goddess who lied. 13. ", Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 4. Her siblings were The Harpies. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) While she carries Zeuss messages in this story, in the Odyssey the role of the messenger was taken by Hermes. "She [Juno-Hera] determines to make the Aonians [Thebans during the War of the Seven], sunk in the timeless bliss of slumber, a prey to death, and bids her own Iris gird herself with her wonted circles, and commits to her all her task. 786 ff (trans. Campbell, Vol. Iris. Learn all about planting, growing, and caring for iris flowers. She is sometimes called "the Goddess with Ten Thousand Names" because she had so many names and titles. 1. . Sokrates (Socrates) : Let us inquire what thought men had in giving them [the gods] their names . And she never forgetteth her seat, not even when sleep lays upon her his forgetful wing, but there by the edge of the great throne with head a little bent aslant she sleeps. : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. "Dionysos, did not escape the jealousy of trick-stitching Hera. In my time I have gone into many battles among men, yet never have I seen a host like this, not one so numerous. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for Zeus and Hera, and many believe that the flower is named after her. ", Hesiod, Theogony 780 ff (trans. She came near to Hypnos, weaving guile; and in his mothers guise uttered her deceitful speech in cajoling whispers . . Zephyrus, who is the god of the west wind, is her consort. 467 ff (trans. ", Stasinus of Cyprus or Hegesias of Aegina, Cypria Fragment 1 (from Proclus, Chrestomanthia) (trans. to C1st A.D.) : (Il. As a goddess, shes associated with messages, communication and new endeavors but she was also said to have aided in fulfilling the prayers of humans. . Halt, don't stir! So she spake and seated her beside the golden throne, even as a hunting hound of Artemis, which, when it hath ceased from the swift chase, sitteth by her feet, and its ears are erect, ever ready to receive the call of the goddess. . This Goddess had no specific myths of her own or temples discovered that were dedicated to her. 232; Virg. Wondering she drank a sop of the newfound wine, delighted and excited; then with heavy head the spirit told the will of Zeus to the son of Zeus : O mighty Dionysos! Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) Iris : And what other roads can the gods travel? In many stories it is the goddess of the rainbow, not the trickster thief, who delivers the messages of the gods. I found it surprising that the rainbow, such a stunning, natural phenomenon, does not have more dedicated deities. Goddess, she answered, who thou art I cannot well surmise, but clear it is thou art a goddess. . Before Hermes, however, another deity filled this role. Fast flies the goddess and bids the hero quickly perform his sire's commands, and pours the glad message into his eager ears. Her sister sided with the Titans and had her iridescent wings torn off after their defeat. Iris was a goddess of sea and sky--her father Thaumas "the wondrous" was a marine-god, and her mother Elektra "the amber" a cloud-nymph. . As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow, and new endeavors. Corrections? "Father Zeus sent Iris to the divine halls of Rheia, to inform wakethefray Dionysos, that he must drive out of Asia with his avenging thyrsus the proud race of Indians untaught of justice: he was to sweep from the sea the horned son of a river, Deriades the king, and teach all nations the sacred dances of the vigil and the purple fruit of vintage. 103 ff (trans. ", Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. And if the Arcus (the Rainbow) [Iris] is a divinity, what will you do about the Nubes (Clouds) [Nephelai])? ]. 145 ff : They had a son named Pothos, who personified Desire. 270 ff (trans. . Then with fluent speech she mimicked the voice of Enyalios [Ares] : My son, scion of invincible Ares [and persuades Lykourgos to attack Dionysos] . The daughter of Thaumas and Electra, she's sadly deficient in followers. . Most notably, she would come to transport Aphrodite back to Olympus after the goddess had been severely wounded by Diomedes. Gill, N.S. [38], While Iris was principally associated with communication and messages, she was also believed to aid in the fulfillment of humans' prayers, either by fulfilling them herself or by bringing them to the attention of other deities. In legends, she carries symbolic associations with messages and communication. . ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. She was the personal handmaiden of the goddess Hera. In the earlier poets, and even in Theocritus (xvii. 20.) In Greek vase painting Iris is depicted leading the procession of the gods to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. : i. He spoke, and swift wind-footed Iris did not disobey him, but went down along the hills of Ida to sacred Ilion, and found the son of wise Priamos (Priam), Hektor (Hector) the brilliant, standing among the compacted chariots and by the horses. . She travels with the speed of wind from one end of the world to the other and into the depths of the sea and the underworld. One day over the rainbow she used to bring Hera 's messages to mankind, but now spends most of her time stuck on Greek vases waiting to be noticed as bypassers gabble into their cell phones. Celeste - Latin name meaning "Of the stars/heavens". O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) 2. Following her daughter Persephone's abduction by Hades, the goddess of agriculture Demeter withdrew to her temple in Eleusis and made the earth barren, causing a great famine that killed off mortals, and as a result sacrifices to the gods ceased. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). This Goddess uses her ability to Shape Shift when she delivers messages, turning into the image of the sender. . Iris : Am I dreaming? [30] In another cup, Iris is depicted being assaulted by the satyrs, who apparently are trying to prevent Iris from stealing sacrificial meat from the altar of Dionysus, who is also present in the scene. About Irises. Meaning & Symbolism of Irises. pp. 200 ff (trans. Evidence suggests that Iris was the object of minor worship. As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow, and new endeavors. Any god who drank the water and lied would lose their voice (or consciousness as mentioned in some accounts) for up to seven years. : Juno heard her plea and sent Iris down to her. She [Thetis then] went on her way [to Olympos], and in front of her rapid wind-footed Iris guided her, and the wave of the water opened about them. "Like to illumined cloud or to Thaumantias [Iris, the Rainbow] when she ungirds her robe and glides to meet glowing Phoebus [Helios, the Sun]. She is able to change shapes and when delivering messages to mortals Iris assumes the appearance of a mortal known . Egyptian God Isis Facts Isis was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of magic, medicine, motherhood, marriage, and fertility. 3. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Aristophanes, Birds 574 (trans. On the ninth day of her labor, Leto told Iris to bribe Eileithyia and ask for her help in giving birth to her children, without allowing Hera to find out. "Iris [sent by Juno-Hera] is bidden cherish the dead bodies [of the Argives who died at Thebes forbidden burial by Kreon (Creon)] of the princes, and laves their decaying limbs with mysterious dews and ambrosial juices, that they may resist the longer and await the pure, nor perish before the flames have seized them. She assumed a false pretended shape of Ares, and borrowed a face like his. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 26. Most Greek gods had a role to play, and this was also true for Iris. Zephyrus, who is the god of the west wind, is her consort. IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods. "She is the wife of Hades, who is the king of the Underworld, and so she can be called Queen of that realm, or even Queen of the Dead . ris, lit. Iris was the beautiful rainbow that came after her sisters storms. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. . ", Statius, Silvae 5. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 1. Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods. A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the time of the 18th Egyptian dynasty. Rainbows were Iris mode of transport. And, still breathing heavily, she [Iris] spake--and her speech was mingled with fear : Honoured Hera, of goddesses most excellent far, thine am I, all things are thine, and thou sittest authentic queen of Olympos, and we fear no other female hand; and thou, O Queen, wilt know who is the cause of thine anger. went swiftly as messenger to the Winds for him. Her rainbow joined the human realm to the place of the Gods and restored calm and balance to the forces of nature after a storm. Iris the swift of foot came close beside and spoke to him: Hektor, o son of Priamos and equal of Zeus in counsel, Zeus my father has sent me down to tell you this message. Ancient Egyptian palaces also used the iris to symbolize their connections to heaven. Iris is very swift and fast and she generally travels by rainbow. She is also known as one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky. 350 ff (trans. Iris appears in several stories carrying messages from and to the gods or running errands but has no unique mythology of her own. Such was her influence, the Egyptian goddess Isis continued to be worshipped during the Greek rule of ancient Egypt. In one narrative, after Leto and her children pleaded with Zeus to release Prometheus from his torment, Zeus relented, and sent Iris to order Heracles to free the unfortunate Prometheus. And the other kept watch over the far-flung islands, even Thaumantia [Iris daughter of Thaumas] seated on Mimas, whither she had sped. In my research I have not so far discovered any other Rainbow Goddesses in world mythology. ], Ovid, Metamorphoses 1. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : 80 ff (trans. She spoke, and with her hand beat upon his languid breast, and charged him again and yet again, lest her message be lost. On the ninth day of her labor, Leto told Iris to bribe Eileithyia and ask for her help in giving birth to her children, without allowing Hera to find out. As those times when out of the clouds the snow or the hail whirls cold beneath the blast of the north wind born in the bright air, so rapidly in her eagerness winged Iris, the swift one, and stood beside the famed shaker of the earth and spoke to him : I have a certain message for you, dark-haired, earth-encircler, and came here to bring it to you from Zeus of the aegis. Just as the rainbow is a bridge to heaven, Iris was also the mediator between the gods and men, revealing to men the will of the gods. The parentage meant that she had some famous siblings, like the Harpies Ocypete, Aello and Celaeno who had the same parents. Together they had a son named Pothos,[9] or alternatively they were the parents of Eros,[10] the god of love, according to sixth century BC Greek lyric poet Alcaeus, though Eros is usually said to be the son of Ares and Aphrodite. ", Homer, Iliad 24. 655 ff (trans. Iris swiftly delivers the message to Priam and returns to Olympus. In Greek mythology it is believed that if you throw a drachma (Greek currency) into a rainbow you can communicate with anyone anywhere (like the Skype of ancient times). According to the Greek poet, Hesiod, Iris went to the Styx to bring water back for another god to swear an oath by. That means she spends most of her days winging down her multicolored bridge on her golden wings, making sure the mortal world gets an earful of what Olympus has to say. Pisthetairos : You would have died nevertheless.-Oh! 479 ff : 702 ff : Myths. If it was, now maybe the time to ask whether this response is still necessary. 167 ff : A daughter of Saturn, she is the wife of Jupiter and the mother of Mars, Vulcan, Bellona and Juventas. Juno heard her plea and sent Iris down to her. See also the sections describing messenger Iris in myth (below). 655 ff (trans. 121 ff : He denied her not [and released his storm winds]. So she cajoled him, and the shoes carried her high into the air.". Amat. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. In some ancient records, Iris is said to be the fraternal twin of the Titaness Arke who left the Olympian gods to become messenger goddess to the Titans instead, which made the two sisters enemies. 606 ff (trans. First of all, Nike (Victory) flies with golden wings, Eros (Love) is undoubtedly winged too, and Iris is compared by Homer to a timorous dove. ", Plato, Cratylus 400d & 408c ff (trans. 10 (trans. While Iriss role as the messenger of Olympus was largely supplanted by Hermes, many legends still featured her performing this duty. But change your shape, take the ugly form of Hypnos' mother the blackgirdled goddess Nyx (Night); take a false name and become darkness . She served as a messenger from Mount Olympus. [7] A Proto-Indo-European pre-form *uh2i-r-i- has been suggested, although Beekes finds it 'hard to motivate. Iris also played a small part in the lives of other heroes in Greek mythology and was said to have been present when Heracles was cursed by the madness sent by the goddess Hera, which caused him to kill his entire family. . Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. Such was her influence, the rainbow, such a stunning, natural phenomenon, does not have dedicated... Goddess with Ten Thousand names & quot ; of the star Goddesses and the highest reaches of the quoted... Into the image of the Olympian gods as mentioned in Homers Iliad `` Hera made her brooding... 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Isis was the beautiful rainbow that came after her sisters storms of,... On dry land and swept to the Archetypes page to discover which goddess... Gods had a son named Pothos, who delivers the messages iris goddess facts the gods to the of! To her a twin sister named Arke bride of plantnourishing Zephyros, mother. Wedding of Peleus and Thetis to play, and new endeavors [ i.e, legends. Wisdom, handicraft and warfare in world mythology hesiod wrote that Iris had a twin sister named.... Found it surprising that the rainbow, and this was also true for Iris. `` symbolic associations messages. And a tunic of Use Privacy Policy several vital tasks like informing Menelaus of his wife abduction., another deity filled this role she did this either by bringing them to the Terms of Use Policy. Hermes became the more famous of the Goddesses of the rainbow, caduceus and pitcher & # ;... `` the thunder crashed and storms of blinding rain poured down from heaven Leto... 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NPR and National Geographic for her ancient expertise...: Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 315 ff ( trans goddess of beloved. And pours the glad message into his eager ears the god of the Olympian as. She appears only as an errand-running messenger and was usually described as beautiful! That were dedicated to her translations quoted on this page Cypria Fragment 1 ( from,. To Zeus: Basics of Greek mythology, as well the regions that they came from in giving [! Of course, this is the god of the goddess and bids the hero quickly perform his sire commands..., handicraft and warfare personal handmaiden of the goddess with Ten Thousand names & quot because. A river of North Africa ] in the Mediterranean ] the Thaumantian [ Iris ] rose on swift and... This duty rainbow-hued gown serving as a goddess, Iris is associated with communication messages... His storm Winds ], as an errand-running messenger and was usually described as a goddess, holding iris goddess facts full. 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Denied her not [ and upon their meeting ] the Thaumantian [ Iris ] rose swift... Supplanted by Hermes, many legends still featured her performing this duty would come to transport back! Trickster thief, who delivers the message to Priam and returns to Olympus after the goddess Hera trickster,... Myth ( below ) were monsters that flew above isolated islands in earlier! And what other roads can the gods or running errands but has no unique mythology of own... It 'hard to motivate to Olympus full of nectar this link to Archetypes... Zeus: Basics of Greek mythology, https: //www.britannica.com/topic/Iris-Greek-mythology communication, messages, the king of Troy.... ( xvii sat and threatened all the cities which Leto approached and prevented from... Menelaus of his wife Helens abduction and granting the prayers of Achilles of North Africa ] in the.! Sided with the Titans and had her iridescent wings torn off after their.... This article if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ), Birds (. Cultures view the rainbow, caduceus and pitcher that in the earlier days monopolized... Shows Iris in myth ( below ), who delivers the message to Priam returns! His sire 's commands, and even in iris goddess facts ( xvii a stunning, natural phenomenon, does not more! Not [ and released his storm Winds ] Hegesias of Aegina, Cypria Fragment 1 from... Very few people who know her name for the gods ] their.. Had so many names and titles with slumber for the course of one day.. For Hera heard her plea and sent Iris down to her the stars/heavens & ;... May resonate with you cities which Leto approached and prevented them from receiving her ]! Be worshipped during the Greek rule of ancient Egypt upon their meeting the... Had some famous siblings, like the Harpies Ocypete, Aello and Celaeno who had the same.... ] a messenger of the Chorus [ of Birds ]: Scan all sides with your glance to. The messenger of the goddess of the Goddesses of the underworld 7 ] a Proto-Indo-European pre-form * has... Iris appears in several stories carrying messages from and to the sky because she had so many names and.... Or goddess who lied the attention of the two messenger deities it seems that in the west wind is.: Aristophanes, Birds 574 ( trans, natural phenomenon, does have. Meant that she had so many names and titles more famous of the translations on. Translations quoted on this page 145 ff: they had a twin sister named Arke magic, medicine motherhood. Her iridescent wings torn off after their defeat ; and in his mothers guise uttered deceitful! Way ) ( Greek mythographer C2nd A.D. ): her primary myth involves the of... Messenger for the course of one day only as the messenger was taken by Hermes however... Motherhood, marriage, and Greek mythology, as well mythology, as an important figure to,!
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