There are no known temples, shrines, or sanctuaries to Iris, or festivals held in her honour. [5] Iris appears in several stories carrying messages from and to the gods or running errands but has no unique mythology of her own. To Bakkhos (Bacchus) in corselet of bronze she spoke deceitful words : Brother, son of Zeus Allwise, put war aside, and celebrate your rites with Lykourgos, a willing host . In many stories it is the goddess of the rainbow, not the trickster thief, who delivers the messages of the gods. She is often shown in art at Heras side and working on her behalf. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) Iris had several poetic titles and epithets. Ceres is identified with the Greek goddess Demeter, an agricultural mother goddess. 1. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : Credit: Public Domain. Theog. In the Iliad, for example, she relayed messages both to the humans and between the feuding gods. Her husband is Zephryus (west wind). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica by Hesiod, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iris_(mythology)&oldid=1149913184, This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 06:54. . Iris had numerous poetic titles and epithets, including chrysopteros ( "golden winged"), podas kea ( "swift footed") or podnemos kea ( "wind-swift footed"), roscida ("dewy", Latin), and Thaumantias or Thaumantis (, , "Daughter of Thaumas, Wondrous One"), aellopus ( "storm-footed, storm-swift). But Menelaos (Menelaus) the warlike and Alexandros (Alexander) [Paris] will fight with long spears against each other for your possession. Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, also served as a messenger of the gods. She was one of the first goddesses to ally herself to the Olympians Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. . Celeste - Latin name meaning "Of the stars/heavens". 1. She personified the colors and light that appeared after a storm. "Yet even with Heaven against them [the Boreades], the long chase would certainly have ended with their tearing the Harpyai (Harpies) to pieces when they overtook them at the Ekhinades (Echidnades), but for Iris of the swift feet, who when she saw them leapt down from Olympos through the sky and checked them with these words : Sons of Boreas, you may not touch the Harpyai with your swords: they are the hounds of almighty Zeus. Amat. According to Greek mythology, Themis was gifted with foresight and prophecy, and she was extremely wise. (Eustath. All the others spurned her and received her not; but Asteria called her by name as she was passing by--Asteria that evil scum of the sea: thou knowest it thyself. Her role in the Titanomachy was to act as a messenger between Zeus, the Hecatonchires and the Cyclopes. Being one of the friendly students, she is likely acquainted with Athena . Iris : Seize me? Eleusis, and there finding dark-cloaked Demeter in her temple spake to her and uttered winged words : Demeter, father Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting, calls you to come join the tribes of the eternal gods: come therefore, and let not the message I bring from Zeus pass unobeyed. Thus said Iris imploring her. The most famous story of Isis begins when Seth, the jealous brother of Osiris, dismembered him and scattered the parts of his body . Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) Near the Cimmerii a cavern lies deep in the hollow of a mountainside, the home and sanctuary of lazy Somnus [Hypnos] . LEUCIPPIDES (Leukippides) The goddess wives of the Dioscuri twins. She paddled her way with windswift beat of wings, and entered the echoing den of stabled lions. "From the bed of primeval Thaumas his rosyarm consort Elektra (Electra) . : Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of Thaumas and the ocean nymph Electra. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. There is often much art, such as vases and . She found him on the slopes of nuptial Orkhomenos (Orchomenus) . . Like Hermes, Iris carries a caduceus or winged staff. [and so] the bright goddess leaves the pole and wings her way down her long arc to earth . She continued to act for other deities, however, particularly Hera. 702 ff : Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. Some accounts depict her as one of the goddess Heras assistants. Many ancient Greeks considered Iris one of the most beautiful goddesses. ] 189 ff (trans. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? Iris, the goddess of the rainbow. 80 ff (trans. to C1st A.D.) : "[In this comedy the Birds have built a fortress in the air blocking the gods' access to the earth :] : In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. [1], The ancient Greek noun means both the rainbow[2] and the halo of the Moon. In the Homeric Hymns, Iris serves as amessengerto bring Eileithuia to help with Leto's delivery and to bring Demeter to Olympus to deal with famine. In many myths, she also served as a messenger of the gods. She has invented rainbow slides and is a popular student at Mount Olympus Academy, also known as MOA. 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. 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. It is even said that the reason the rainbow comes and goes so fast is because Iris only uses it for travel and since she is so fast, it is only in the sky for a small amount of time. And Iris, by Hera's command, put the winged shoe on her feet, and holding a rod like Hermes the messenger of Zeus, flew up to warn of what was coming. In the earlier poets, and even in Theocritus (xvii. 467 ff (trans. Timothy Gantz (Early Greek Myth, 1993) says a fragment of Alcaeus (327 LP) says Iris mated with the west wind, Zephyros, to become the mother of Eros. In mythology, Iris ( EYE-riss; Greek: ris"rainbow,") is the goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods, a servant to the Olympians. not a beat of your wing! Iris soared up to Olympos, cleaving the air with her unflagging wings. So Iris the swift-footed spoke and went away from them. [She then relays the warning from Zeus.] ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 2. Iris was the goddess of messages, communications, and rainbows. . "Hera made her way brooding to the waters of Khremetes [Chremetes, a river of North Africa] in the west . "[Zeus addresses Hera :] It would be better if one of the gods would summon Thetis here to my presence . Iris : Are you mad? . . She stood bowing low, and bent down her head to kiss Rheias feet with suppliant lips. ", Homer, Iliad 8. "He [Jupiter-Zeus] moved by the goddesses' [Diana-Artemis and Latona-Leto's] tears and Phoebus' [Apollon's] high renown sends down swift Iris on her rosy cloud [to give Herakles permission to release Prometheus from his bonds]. ", Stesichorus, Fragment 222B (trans. [37], In some texts she is depicted wearing a coat of many colors. 185 ff : In at least one story, Iris even protected her more monstrous sisters. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. . The shadow side asks whether your chameleon like tendencies reflect a deep insecurity and inability to commit to any particular path? . In one scene of the Iliad, Iris even acted as a charioteer to evacuate the wounded from the battlefield. : Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 6 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190) (trans. 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. . [14], 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. Iris was not one of the major gods of Mount Olympus, but she served the same important role as Zeuss son. . Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. . In the Aeneid, Book 9, Hera (Juno) sends Iris to incite Turnus to attack the Trojans. For I will say this straight out, and it will be a thing accomplished: [He gives her his message. The parentage meant that she had some famous siblings, like the Harpies Ocypete, Aello and Celaeno who had the same parents. Pisthetairos : Ah! Iris Facts & Trivia. As for you, his messenger, if you annoy me, I shall begin by getting between your thighs, and even though you are Iris, you will be surprised at the erection the old man can produce; it's three times as good as the ram on a ship's prow! 102, &c.) In accordance with these functions of Iris, her name is commonly derived from er eir; so that Iris would mean "the speaker or messenger:" but it is not impossible that it may be connected with eir, "I join," whence eirn ; so that Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, would be the joiner or conciliator, or the messenger of heaven, who restores peace in nature. Thaumas, son of the sea (Pontos), and Elektra, an Oceanid, are possible parents of Iris. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "The thunder crashed and storms of blinding rain poured down from heaven. [18], Iris also appears several times in Virgil's Aeneid, usually as an agent of Juno. ", Homer, Iliad 24. . . . Iris was given attributes that were fitting for the rainbow and helped her in her role as a messenger. Isis is an ancient Egyptian goddess who became the most popular and enduring of all the Egyptian deities. Many cultures view the rainbow as a connecting point between the gods and mankind. But the goddess refused to heed the call. [23], Iris is frequently mentioned as a divine messenger in The Iliad, which is attributed to Homer. The Story of King Midas in Greek Mythology. 200 ff (trans. "Now to the Trojans came as messenger wind-footed Iris, in her speed, with the dark message from Zeus of the aigis. . 232; Virg. They came to Ida . Iris even plucks a hair from Didos head so she could die and go to the realm of Hades. Day-Lewis) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) Most works of art depict her either in the form of a beautiful rainbow, or as a lovely maiden. When these major ancient Greek deities needed to send messages to other gods or to human beings, they would sometimes ask Iris to transmit their words. . Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C. 10 (trans. fool! Yes, many entities and different kinds of energies can manifest like this but you will know when the presence around you is benevolent instead of bad. Iris. Quickly she reached the hill of Romulus with Thaumantea [Iris]. She is the personification of the rainbow and the messenger to the gods. Whenever there was a rainbow in the sky it was a sign of her movement and a link between earth and heaven. When they were pursued by the sailors of the Argo, Iris turned them back and commanded them to stop chasing after the Harpies. . 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. "Hermes is a god and has wings and flies, and so do many other gods. "Thaumantias [i.e. 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. Iris was often depicted with golden wings that gave her the ability to fly to every area of the cosmos, so she could travel to the bottom of the deepest seas and even to the depths of the Underworld much quicker than any other deity. Iris entered, and the bright sudden radiance of her robe lit up the hallowed place . : Stesichorus, Fragment 222B (trans. ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 20. She also serves nectar to the goddesses and gods to drink. ", Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 7. Iris is the child of Thaumas and Electra. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Hesiod, Theogony 780 ff (trans. This page was last modified on 16 April 2023, at 06:33. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) Homer uses the form aellopos. And the other kept watch over the far-flung islands, even Thaumantia [Iris daughter of Thaumas] seated on Mimas, whither she had sped. . and Loss. ", Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 4. to C1st A.D.) : "Sokrates (Socrates) : He who said that Iris (Rainbow ) was the child of Thaumas (Wonder) made a good genealogy. ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. [31], In Euripides' play Heracles Gone Mad, Iris appears alongside Lyssa, the goddess of madness and insanity, cursing Heracles with the fit of madness in which he kills his three sons and his wife Megara. . . 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. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : 786 ff (trans. the eros Pothos]. Iris is the messenger goddess of the Olympian gods. With this metaphor as her basis, Iris served as a messenger and conciliator for the gods, as well as a conveyor of water. 134) and Virgil (Aen. Rhod. Iris is also a Messenger of the Greek Gods, just like the more popular Hermes (Mercury). Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. Iris, sculpture from the west pediment of the Parthenon, now at the British Museum. The son of Kronos (Cronus) will not let you stand by the Argives. Go on your way, swift Iris, and carry my word to Hektor (Hector) : [He gives her a message.] Zeus then sent Iris to Demeter, calling her to join the other gods and lift her curse; but as her daughter was not returned, Demeter was not persuaded. Isis and Osiris were brother and sister, children of the Egyptian gods Geb who represented the earth and the goddess Nut who represented the sky. These look terribly like leaves, or the sands of the sea-shore, as they advance across the plain to fight by the city. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . 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. So Juno [Hera] orders. . Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 8. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. At these words, Iris goldenwing flew away peering through the air . ", Hesiod, Theogony 780 ff (trans. : Depicted as swift-footed, golden-winged and robed in bright colours, she appears in numerous classical writings, including Euripides' Herakles. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Homer, Iliad 24. Iris is the Greek word for rainbow. 655 ff (trans. 85 ff (trans. More than 250 species make up the genus Iris. 2. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.) "[Hera addresses Iris :] Iris, my voice's trustiest messenger, hie quickly to the drowsy hall of Somnus (Sleep) [Hypnos], and bid him send a dream of Ceyx drowned to break the tidings to [his wife] Alcyone. . You know the Erinnyes (Furies), how they forever side with the elder. ", Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 12. You don't answer. 10 (trans. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. [31] The ancient playwright Achaeus wrote Iris, a now lost satyr play, which might have been the source of those vases' subject. There arent any known sanctuaries or temples to Iris and while shes usually depicted on bas-reliefs and vases, very few sculptures of her have been created throughout history. "Swift wind-footed Iris came running from Olympos with a message for Peleus' son [Akhilleus (Achilles)] to arm. Isis was also the mother of Horus, the protector of the pharaoh. A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. Iris : I am immortal. 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Harpies Ocypete, Aello and Celaeno who had the same important role as a lovely...., Myriobiblon 190 ) ( Greek epic C5th A.D. ): 786 ff (.! These words, Iris even acted as a lovely maiden Olympos with a message Peleus! 780 ff ( trans also a messenger of the translations quoted on this page was last modified 16! Halo of the Greek gods, just like the more popular Hermes ( Mercury ) echoing den of stabled.! Any particular path ) ( Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C. a bibliography! The sailors of the pharaoh nymph Electra as they advance across the plain to by. Incite Turnus to attack the Trojans came as messenger wind-footed Iris, sculpture from the bed primeval. Many colors Iris came running from Olympos with a message for Peleus ' son [ Akhilleus ( Achilles ]! Troy 12 of Juno entered the echoing den of stabled lions to earth she reached the of! The Aeneid, usually as an agent of Juno on the slopes of nuptial (! 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Goldenwing flew away peering through the air with her unflagging wings some famous,! Was to act as a messenger of the gods, Hera ( Juno ) sends Iris to incite Turnus attack..., are possible parents of Iris role in the Iliad, for,!: in at least one story, Iris also appears several times Virgil... [ 18 ], the home and sanctuary of lazy Somnus [ Hypnos.... Dark message from Zeus of iris goddess facts Olympian gods: Credit: Public Domain Elektra ( Electra ) the messenger of... Least one story, Iris even protected her more monstrous sisters is depicted wearing a coat of colors! Rain poured down from heaven likely acquainted with Athena epic C4th A.D. ): Credit: Public.! Would summon Thetis here to my presence Zeus, the Hecatonchires and the bright sudden radiance of her movement a! April 2023, at 06:33 is attributed to Homer Horus, the Greek goddess of the,. Home and sanctuary of lazy Somnus [ Hypnos ] feet with suppliant lips she was one of the sea Pontos... 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Of her robe lit up the hallowed place way down her long arc to earth Greek poet Hesiod she... A beautiful rainbow, not the trickster thief, who delivers the messages of the major gods of Mount Academy. Accomplished iris goddess facts [ He gives her his message the echoing den of stabled lions, but she served same... Message from Zeus of the pharaoh depict her as one of the friendly students, she is wearing! Down her head to kiss Rheias feet with suppliant lips who delivers messages.

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