Wednesday, March 17, 2010

ABC Wednesday - I is for Iris

Still about my witchery... I have some gorgeous Goddesses prints from my friend Meg, EarthStudio Star's artist, and I want to share them here little by little. This is one of them, Iris:


Isn't it a lovely creation?

According to A Goddess a Day, Iris is the Greek Goddess of the rainbow. She is the daughter of the Titan Thaumas, a sea God, and a cloud nymph named Electra, and sister of the Harpies. Just as a rainbow links heaven to earth, Iris links the Gods to humans—she is their messenger. She is usually shown with wings and a staff, and she carries a pitcher which contains water from the River Styx. With a sea God for a father and a cloud nymph for a mother, Iris connects the sea to the sky, and it was said that the waters in her pitcher replenished the clouds. She is married to Zephyros, God of the west wind, and with him is mother of Pothos, the God of sexual longing and desire. She figures in many myths in her role as messenger of the Gods, mostly carrying messages for Hera and Zeus. Epithets associated with Iris include Chrysopteron (golden-winged), Aellopus (swift-footed), and Thaumantias (daughter of Thaumas).

For more H posts, visit the ABC page, and join the fun!

10 comentários:

Reader Wil said...

Greek mythology is very complicated. I know Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Athens, Apollo, but that's all. Iris is very beautiful! Thanks for the information!Have a wonderful week!

Wizardess said...

Iris is incredibly beautiful. She is having a wonderful sale, too!

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful! I've nominated you for the Sunshine Award. http://www.thedomesticwitch.com/2010/03/sunshine-award.html

Troy said...

I'm Impressed, that was very Informative.

I have an Aunt named Iris, and My mother grew Iris's along the side of her house, but I never knew the deeper history behind the name.

(My Aunt Iris is over 20 years older than my mom, so I always thought she was ancient anyway, but I don't think she is quite THAT old!)

On behalf of the ABC Wednesday Team, Thanks for joining us this week. Hope to see you back next week too!

Troy

Rue said...

Beautiful! I didn't know about Iris - great info!

Roger Owen Green said...

I knew the flower; the goddess, not so much. Thanks for the INFORMATION.

Tumblewords: said...

How lovely! I'm fond of her, too!

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

How lovely, such a good choice for this week's letter. I had not heard of this goddess before - now I shall remember each time I see a rainbow. A

Dani said...

YAY! Iris like my daughter! I'm going to print this one out!

Bridgett said...

That is so beautiful!