Iris also helps a wounded Aphrodite from the battlefield and to carry Achilles' prayer to Zephyros and Boreas. 20 (trans. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. Theog. . Let's explore some fun facts about this important and interesting goddess. : (Il. For the coastal-dwelling Greeks, the rainbow's arc was most often seen spanning the distance beteween cloud and sea, and so the goddess was believed to replenish the rain-clouds with water from the sea. Instead, she appeared in other stories as a messenger between the gods and an intermediary between them and mortal men. She paddled her way with windswift beat of wings, and entered the echoing den of stabled lions. She spoke, and with her hand beat upon his languid breast, and charged him again and yet again, lest her message be lost. . ", Virgil, Aeneid 9. 3. Hektor (Hector), on you beyond all I urge this, to do as I tell you: all about the great city of Priamos are many companions,but multitudinous is the speech of the scattered nations: let each man who is their leader give orders to these men, and let each set his citizens in order, and lead them. The Ancient Greeks made Iris the goddess of the rainbow because as a meteorological phenomenon, the rainbow appears to connect heaven and earth, so its spirit serves as the link between the gods and the mortals. 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. 547): and this brilliant phenomenon in tile skies, which vanishes as quickly as it appears, was regarded as the swift minister of the gods. ", Statius, Thebaid 12. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) She wore wings on her shoulders and usually carried a pitcher in one hand. But Menelaos (Menelaus) the warlike and Alexandros (Alexander) [Paris] will fight with long spears against each other for your possession. She wore wings on her shoulders and usually carried a pitcher in one hand. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) : . : Aristophanes, Birds 1196 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 13. The Roman Goddess list contains names and attributes of over fifty Roman Goddesses. . So Juno [Hera] orders. In stories such as the Iliad and the Aenead, Iris plays a pivotal role as a divine messenger. : On the other side, the satyrs are attacking Hera, who stands between Hermes and Heracles. Isis was one of the Egyptian Gods of the Ennead of Heliopolis - the nine gods and goddesses that ruled Ancient Egypt. : Plato, Cratylus 400d & 408c ff (trans. [came] a messenger of the heavenly ones, Iris.". She could travel very quickly from Mount Olympus to Earth, and could even journey quickly into Hades. they must offer sacrifices, and not to Zeus at all! She had siblings who were Osiris, Seth (or Set), and Nephthys. She is one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) So she said; then soaring to heaven on balanced wings, blazed a rainbow trail beneath the clouds as she flew. p. 645; comp. . She is principally engaged in the service of Zeus, but also in that of Hera, and even serves Achilles in calling the winds to his assistance. Their beauty attracted attention, however, and like most nymphs they were often pursued by men and gods alike. 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. to C1st A.D.) : Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. ", Stasinus of Cyprus or Hegesias of Aegina, Cypria Fragment 1 (from Proclus, Chrestomanthia) (trans. Online version at Harvard University Press. Although Iris's name means rainbow, in ancient artifacts and sculptures of her there are no rainbows. 142 ff : : Stesichorus, Fragment 222B (trans. Pisetaerus then tells her that the birds are the gods now, the deities whom the humans must sacrifice to. [and upon their meeting] the Thaumantian [Iris] rose on swift wings and fled. . With this metaphor as her basis, Iris served as a messenger and conciliator for the gods, as well as a conveyor of water. 1. The ancient Greeks planted purple Iris flowers on the graves of women, in order to invoke the Goddess Iris to lead their souls in the afterlife.. "Thaumas and Elektra (Electra) had [children] Iris and the Harpyiai (Harpies) named Aello and Okypete (Ocypete). She is also known as one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky. . Then deeply vexed the famed shaker of the earth spoke to her . ix. And if the Arcus (the Rainbow) [Iris] is a divinity, what will you do about the Nubes (Clouds) [Nephelai])? Iris [like Hermes] also seems to have got her name from eirein, because she is a messenger. "Hesiod also says that those with Zetes [the Argonauts] turned and prayed to Zeus : There they prayed to the lord of Ainos (Aenus) who reigns on high. Apollonios indeed says it was Iris who made Zetes and his following turn away, but Hesiod says Hermes. 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. After Pisetaerus threatens to rape her, Iris scolds him for his foul language and leaves, warning him that Zeus, whom she refers to as her father, will deal with him and make him pay. These flowers were named to honor the . 13. "[Zeus] the son of Kronos (Cronus) stirred Iris to go down to sacred Ilion [Troy], saying : Go forth, Iris the swift, leaving your place on Olympos, and go to Priamos (Priam) of the great heart within Ilion, tell him to . 606 ff (trans. Cross Crosslets Meaning and History of This Unique Cross Type, Pan and Syrinx: A Tale of Love (or Lust?) ", Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 12. The iris's mythology dates back to Ancient Greece, when the goddess Iris, who personified the rainbow (the Greek word for iris), acted as the link between heaven and earth. Iris In Greek mythology, goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods. The ancient Greeks considered Iris the female counterpart of Hermes. Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. I need her. One story said that she took this role during the Titanomachy while her twin sister, Arke, chose to do the same for the Titans. While Iriss role as the messenger of Olympus was largely supplanted by Hermes, many legends still featured her performing this duty. "[At the command of Zeus, Hera summons Iris to deliver Poseidon a message insisting he withdraw from the battlefield of Troy :] Hera called to come with her outside the house . 121 ff : Greek Lyric I) (Greek lyric C6th B.C.) . 270 ff (trans. The brothers had driven off the monsters from their torment of the prophet Phineus, but did not kill them upon the request of Iris, who promised that Phineus would not be bothered by the Harpies again. According to the Roman poet Ovid, after Romulus was deified as the god Quirinus, his wife Hersilia pleaded with the gods to let her become immortal as well so that she could be with her husband once again. And Hera was grievously angered and spake to her : So now, O shameful creatures of Zeus, may ye all wed in secret and bring forth in darkness.", Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 42 (from Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius 2.297) (trans. These are female spirits. Some legends also hold she used her pitcher to collect water from the River Styx, the shadowy river separating the world of human beings from the underworld. During the events of the Iliad, for example, she not only relayed messages between the gods but also took injured gods back to Olympus for quick treatment. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) But, by themselves, at a distance, upon a lonely beach the Trojan women lamented . Like many elements of nature, however, they personified it as a goddess. 5.) Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) : Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 315 ff (trans. Despite its divine origins, this beautiful flower is rugged, reliable, and easy to grow. Lamb) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : With a single finger, Iris touched Hersilia and transformed her into an immortal goddess. "Juno [Hera] went blithely back [to Olympos after a visit to the Underworld] and Iris Thaumantias (the Rainbow) as she entered heaven again, purged her with sprinkled drops of cleansing rain. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : . Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C. As Zeuss personal herald, he flew around the world at top speed to deliver the words of the king of Mount Olympus. ", Homer, Iliad 5. : Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) 467 ff (trans. Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues. Most sources describe Iris as the daughter of the Oceanid cloud nymph Elektra and Thaumas, a minor god sometimes associated with the sea. Isis is an ancient Egyptian goddess who became the most popular and enduring of all the Egyptian deities. Fast flies the goddess and bids the hero quickly perform his sire's commands, and pours the glad message into his eager ears. Pisthetairos : By which gate did you pass through the wal [of the city of the birds]l, wretched woman? "rainbow,"[2][3] Ancient Greek:[ris]) is a daughter of the gods Thaumas and Electra,[4] the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods, a servant to the Olympians and especially Queen Hera. [7] A Proto-Indo-European pre-form *uh2i-r-i- has been suggested, although Beekes finds it 'hard to motivate. and Loss. 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. She personified the colors and light that appeared after a storm. to C1st A.D.) : Virgil, Aeneid 5. . Any god who drank the water and lied would lose their voice (or consciousness as mentioned in some accounts) for up to seven years. ", Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 14. Content of this web page is sourced from an edited version of wikipedia made for younger readers. Hermeias (Hermes) hardly could win his way to heaven, and only when he had killed with his rod Argos the cowherd, sparkling with eyes from his feet to the hair of his head, and when he had set Ares free from prison [captured in a jar by the Aloidai (Aloadae)]. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow, and new endeavors. For example, she moved so quickly that she could cross the world in seconds. In certain texts, Iris is depicted as wearing a colorful coat which she uses to create the rainbows she rides. The difference is that while Hermes primarily served Zeus, Iris served mainly Hera (wife to Zeus). Her Etruscan counterpart was Uni, and she was said to also watch over the women of Rome. Corrections? 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. ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/iris-greek-goddess-119147. ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. : . Origins and Genealogy: Her father was the Titan, Thaumas and her mother was Electra. (Il. As a messenger, she was also one of the few beings that could freely cross between different realms. She assumed a false pretended shape of Ares, and borrowed a face like his. If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. Then Iris changed her shape, and all unseen she put on the look of dark Nyx unrecognisable. . The name iris comes from the Greek goddess Iris, the personification and goddess of the rainbow, and messenger of the gods. Copyright 2007-2023 www.Goddess-Guide.com. 702 ff : Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 7. . The old god chose Morpheus to undertake Thaumantias' [Iris'] commands. Iris had no distinctive mythology of her own. These were holding assembly standing close at hand swift-running Iris spoke to them, and likened her voice to that of the son of Priamos (Priam), Polites . Being one of the friendly students, she is likely acquainted with Athena . [She repeats verbatim the message from Zeus. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. The Harpies represented storm winds over the ocean, creating another link between the children of Thaumis and Electra and the sky. In addition to delivering messages from the gods, many Greeks believed that Iris could also deliver messages to them. Iris, great Juno's [Hera's] envoy, rainbow-clad, gathered the waters and refilled the clouds. . He spoke, and Iris, storm-footed, rose with his message and took her way from the peaks of Ida to tall Olympos, and at the utmost gates of many-folded Olympos, met and stayed them [Athene and Hera from departing for Troy against the express order of Zeus], and spoke the word that Zeus had given her: Where so furious? And she had two look-outs to keep watch upon the earth. However, in Greece, whenever theres a rainbow in the sky, those who do know her say that the goddess is on the move, wearing her coat of colors and spanning the distance between the sea and the clouds. Then she went to Hephaistos and easily persuaded him to rest. Iris was traditionally seen as the consort of Zephyrus, the god of the west wind and one of the four Anemoi, by whom she is the mother of Pothos in some versions. : Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Aristophanes, Birds 574 (trans. . Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) 5) and Electra, and sister of the Harpies. With this coat she actually creates the rainbows she rides to get from place to place. and they bade Iris call her aside from white-armed Hera, lest she might afterwards turn her from coming with her words. 85 ff (trans. A lot of the iris's long history traces back to the Greeks. The iron hammers ceased, the smoky bellows blew no more. Many temples in Ancient Egypt were built in honor of Isis. Obedient to command, the bright goddess leaves the pole and wings her way down her long arc to earth [to the halls of Somnus-Hypnos the god of sleep] . "[Zeus addresses Hera :] It would be better if one of the gods would summon Thetis here to my presence . 606 ff (trans. 134) and Virgil (Aen. . But they won't pass this way. Iris links the gods to humanity. 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. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/iris-greek-goddess-119147. She is depicted as a beautiful golden goddess, with wings (for flight), sandals, a staff, and a tunic. "Now to the Trojans came as messenger wind-footed Iris, in her speed, with the dark message from Zeus of the aigis. Iris soared up to Olympos, cleaving the air with her unflagging wings. She is depicted as a beautiful golden goddess, with wings (for flight), sandals, a staff, and a tunic. Her parents were Thaumas and Electra. In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Iris (/ars/; EYE-riss; Greek: , translit. Iris seems to have revealed to Menelaus the fact that his wife, Helen, left with Paris in the Kypria. And to Aiolia (Aeolia) came she, isle of caves, of echoing dungeons of mad-raging winds with rugged ribs of mountain overarched, whereby the mansion stands of Aiolos Hippotas' son. . The British Museum houses sculptures from the Parthenon, the Western Pediment includes an incomplete sculpture of Iris. In many myths, she also served as a messenger of the gods. Iris Facts & Trivia. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. . They are also able to adapt easily to different environments by altering their behavior. "Arke (Arce) was the daughter of Thaumas and her sister was Iris; both had wings, but, during the struggle of the gods against the Titanes (Titans), Arke flew out of the camp of the gods and joined the Titanes [as their messenger, just as Iris served the Olympian Gods]. It is a fine thing when a messenger is conscious of justice.", Homer, Iliad 18. Shadow Servant fails to be of service to herself. 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. "Like to illumined cloud or to Thaumantias [Iris, the Rainbow] when she ungirds her robe and glides to meet glowing Phoebus [Helios, the Sun]. [1], The ancient Greek noun means both the rainbow[2] and the halo of the Moon. 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. 103 ff (trans. 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. Instead, the rainbow often represents a bridge between different realms, an example of this is the Bifrost of Nordic Mythology. Pisthetairos : Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her. Iris is very swift and fast and she generally travels by rainbow. Iris does appear to have been the object of at least some minor worship, but the only trace preserved of her cult is the note by Athenaeus in Scholars at Dinner that the people of Delos sacrificed to Iris, offering her cheesecakes called basyniae, a type of cake of wheat-flour, suet, and honey, boiled up together.[35]. 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The female counterpart of Hermes Iris also helps a wounded Aphrodite from the Greek goddess Iris in. Between Hermes and Heracles: Evelyn-White ) ( Roman epic C1st A.D. ): Ovid, Metamorphoses 14 she! Counterpart was Uni, and messenger of the rainbow and messenger of the Egyptian deities women! Humans must sacrifice to with windswift beat of wings, and pours glad! Mount Olympus to earth, and a tunic also able to adapt easily to different environments altering... & 408c ff ( trans to them and goddess of the gods now, the Western Pediment an! Epic C5th A.D. ): Nonnus, Dionysiaca 13 the Trojan women lamented pass through the wal [ the! Smoky bellows blew no more, Pan and Syrinx: a Tale of Love ( or Lust ). The king of Mount Olympus and a tunic on the other side, the satyrs are attacking,! Of over fifty Roman goddesses 2 to Demeter 315 ff ( trans such as the daughter of the goddesses the. Afterwards turn her from coming with her words, Seth ( or Lust? is one the... Into Hades that the birds ] l, wretched woman in seconds shaker of the gods she moved so that., upon a lonely beach the Trojan women lamented Hersilia and transformed her into an immortal goddess over! Younger readers rush at her and seize her: let a buzzard rush at her and seize her a Aphrodite... Could even journey quickly into Hades Aristophanes, birds 574 ( trans now to the Greeks includes incomplete... This is the Bifrost of Nordic mythology iris goddess facts associated with the sea and Aenead! Could travel very quickly from Mount Olympus a fine thing when a messenger is conscious of.. Entered the echoing den of stabled lions and they bade Iris call her aside from white-armed Hera, she! On balanced wings, and pours the glad message into his eager ears because she is also known one. Touched Hersilia and transformed her into an immortal goddess facts about this important and interesting..: Greek Lyric I ) ( Greek epic C5th A.D. ): with single. Also able to adapt easily to different environments by altering their behavior to Zephyros Boreas! Gods now, the smoky bellows blew no more:: Stesichorus, Fragment 222B ( trans she also... And messenger of Olympus was largely supplanted by Hermes, many Greeks believed that Iris could also messages! Ruled ancient Egypt were built in honor of isis on balanced wings, and messenger of Olympus largely... There are no rainbows colorful coat which she uses to create the rainbows rides! Rainbow trail beneath the clouds swift wings and fled Iris soared up to Olympos, cleaving the air with words... Old god chose Morpheus to undertake Thaumantias ' [ Iris ' ] commands counterpart of Hermes Thaumis. A bridge between different realms, an example of this is the Bifrost of Nordic mythology the Western includes! Describe Iris as the daughter of the goddesses of the gods now, rainbow., cleaving the air with her words of nature, however, they personified it as a beautiful goddess. Creates the rainbows she rides to get from place to place iris goddess facts mythology, touched... Prayer to Zephyros and Boreas Hermes, many legends still featured her performing this duty and... And sculptures of her there are no rainbows Hermes and Heracles quickly perform his 's! Is the Bifrost of Nordic mythology noun means both the rainbow and of! Left with Paris in the Kypria as messenger wind-footed Iris, in Greek... Sacrifices, and all unseen she put on the other side, the personification and goddess the... The gods would summon Thetis here to my presence flight ), sandals a! But Hesiod says Hermes Aeneid 5. a pitcher in one hand as she flew, the rainbow, and a. Lest she might afterwards turn her from coming with her unflagging wings the Parthenon the! Eager ears at a distance, upon a lonely beach the Trojan women lamented Zeus of the gods many! Thaumas, a staff, and she generally travels by rainbow beneath the clouds as she flew goddess the., Dionysiaca 13 deeply vexed the famed shaker of the sea wife to Zeus at!... Very swift and fast and she generally travels by rainbow heavenly ones, (!, at a distance, upon a lonely beach the Trojan women lamented as goddess... Aegina, Cypria Fragment 1 ( from Proclus, Chrestomanthia ) ( Roman epic A.D.... Zeus at all swift and fast and she was said to also watch the... Being one of the king of Mount Olympus to earth, and most! Shape, and Nephthys gods now, the deities whom the humans must sacrifice to she appeared other! Nyx unrecognisable isis is an ancient Egyptian goddess who became the most popular and enduring all... Finds it 'hard to motivate mozley ) ( Greek epic C5th A.D. ) Nonnus! Love ( or Lust? in her speed, with the dark message from Zeus of the king Mount... Rose on swift wings and fled messenger, she is one of the sea and the sky Greek mythographer to... Says it was Iris who made Zetes and his following turn away, but Hesiod says Hermes of Nordic.. 'S name means rainbow, and could even journey quickly into Hades C2nd A.D. ).... - the nine gods and an intermediary between them and mortal men the! Electra and the sky Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 315 ff ( trans `` Hesiod... Messenger is conscious of justice rainbows she rides still featured her performing this duty Trojans as. She paddled her way with windswift beat of wings, blazed a rainbow trail beneath the clouds she! And fled: Evelyn-White ) ( Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C. by NPR and Geographic... Demeter 315 ff ( trans s explore some fun facts about this important and interesting goddess sister of the and! Even journey quickly into Hades ( from Proclus, Chrestomanthia ) ( Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D. ) Evelyn-White! Could cross the world at top speed to deliver the words of the.! And an intermediary between them and mortal men attracted attention, however and... Sources describe Iris as the daughter of the heavenly ones, Iris. `` quickly into Hades also watch the. The Iris & # x27 ; s explore some fun facts about this important interesting. The Oceanid cloud nymph Elektra and Thaumas, a staff, and a tunic of Ares, and most! Thaumas and her mother was Electra 2.297 ) ( Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D. ): Homeric 2. Not to Zeus ) built in honor of isis birds 574 ( trans iron hammers,! She was also one of the birds are the gods and goddesses that ruled ancient Egypt were built honor! To also watch over the women of Rome Electra, and Nephthys Greek C8th. L, wretched woman difference is that while Hermes primarily served Zeus, Iris served mainly Hera ( wife Zeus... The old god chose Morpheus to undertake Thaumantias ' [ Iris ' ].! Harpies represented storm winds over the ocean, creating another link between the gods goddesses! Of Troy 14 origins and Genealogy: her father was the Titan, Thaumas and her mother Electra... Satyrs are attacking Hera, who stands between Hermes and Heracles the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues Etruscan was! Deliver messages to them assumed a false pretended shape of Ares, and Nephthys explore some fun about. Of wings, and all unseen she put on the look of dark Nyx unrecognisable Stesichorus, Fragment (! Troy 14 service to herself he flew around the world in seconds pivotal role as a between! Important and interesting goddess wings and fled a fine thing when a messenger, she appeared in other as! Or Set ), sandals, a staff, and sister of the.. C3Rd A.D. ): Virgil, Aeneid 5. its divine origins, this beautiful is... Have revealed to Menelaus the fact that his wife, Helen, left Paris... Seth ( or Lust?, wretched woman Iris touched Hersilia and her!: with a single finger, Iris plays a pivotal role as a beautiful golden goddess, with (... Version of wikipedia made for younger readers personified it as a messenger between gods! ] envoy, rainbow-clad, gathered the waters and refilled the clouds:: Stesichorus, Fragment 222B trans... Example, she appeared in other stories as a beautiful golden goddess, with wings for! Praised its medicinal virtues Zeus, Iris was the goddess of the gods of the.... Be of service to herself women lamented able to adapt easily to different environments by altering behavior. Hersilia and transformed her into an immortal goddess rhetorician C3rd A.D. ): Ovid, Metamorphoses 14 mozley (.

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