Everything about kings fighting, soldiers and everything that went on. 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.... Who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece? Apollo was the son of Zeus (the God of Thunder) […] Eris (/ ˈ ɪər ɪ s, ˈ ɛr ɪ s /; Greek: Ἔρις Éris, "Strife") is the Greek goddess of strife and discord. According to a myth, Iris mated with the Zephyr and created Eros, the winged god of love- although most authors mention her as a virgin in their myths. A goddess named “Iris” personified the rainbow in the mythology of ancient Greece. The goddess of messages had several allies that include Hera, Hermes, and Leto. During this period, Iris is reported as performing many vital tasks, such as informing Menelaus of Helen’s abduction or even autonomously granting Achilles’ prayers and summoning the winds to ignite the funeral pyre of his friend Patroclus. A beautiful young goddess with golden wings and a heralds rod, Iris was often protrayed with a water-pitcher in her hand. This ancient Greek flower has a story, and that story is that of the goddess Iris. Iris though do appear in stories throughout the timeline of Greek mythology. Iris was both a personification of the rainbow and a divine messenger. Iris was the messenger to the gods and mortals. Her siblings were The Harpies. The daughter of Thaumas and Electra, she’s sadly deficient in followers.. 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.. Once her courier service for Hera and Zeus was second to none. Stories of Iris in Ancient Greece. Iris was the goddess of messages, communications, and rainbows. But she is mentioned as a beautiful goddess with golden wings and pretty winged sandals. During the Titanomachy, Iris was the messenger of the Olympian gods while her twin sister Arke betrayed the Olympians and became the messenger of the Titans. It is said that Iris saved the lives of her sisters, the Harpies, when she restrained Zetes and Calais, from killing them by promising the Boreads that the Harpies will not bother Phineus anymore. Family of Iris. Her siblings were The Harpies. However, already in the “Odyssey,” the role of the divine messenger is taken by Hermes in its entirety, and Iris is never mentioned. Probably because of the connection between rainbows and rain, Greek Mythology iOS Volume Purchase Program VPP for Education App, Rainbow, Talaria (winged sandals), Kerykeion (messenger’s staff). When looking at Greek statues, she is … Her name comes from Indo-European ‘wei-1’, ‘To turn, twist’ and ‘rei-2’. The Greek goddess of rainbows is Iris. Iris is frequently mentioned as a divine messenger in the Iliad which is attributed to Homer, but does not appear in his Odyssey, where Hermes fills that role. Iris was a swift messenger goddess in Greek mythology and a popular subject for vase painting, but better known as the goddess of the rainbow because Hermes (Mercury) is known as the messenger god. Iris is the Greek goddess (or personification) of the rainbow which connects the world of the gods with humanity. In Virgil’s “Aeneid,” Iris is explicitly portrayed as Hera’s envoy. Today we take a look at another of the lesser known and under appreciated Goddesses of Greek mythology. Iris loved to help poor mortals, and tears filled her eyes when she heard how this lonely woman longed to see the one she loved so well. Her foe is Demeter. Updates? She is a beautiful young woman described as wearing a multi-hued gown. At a later date, the poets tried differentiating between the functions of Hermes and Iris, making the former the messenger of Zeus (and most of the other gods), and turning Iris into a loyal servant of Hera. Making Iris and Arkhe enemy goddesses of messaging. Iris was one of the few Olympians who was able to travel to the underworld. She is the goddess of the rainbow. Iris, Ancient Greek Goddess of the Rainbow and Messenger of the Gods In Greek Ίρις-Ίριδα, the messenger of the gods among themselves in Homer (Il.8.398), and Hesiod (Th.780). According to the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of Thaumas and the ocean nymph Electra. The Greeks do not seem to have a myth of the creation of rainbows but they do realize its nature: The rainbow, everlying just beyond reach, even suggests the whole world of myth, hovering just beyond imagination, just beyond history (Bell, 267). This ancient Greek flower has a story, and that story is that of the goddess Iris. Iris had golden wings and Arkhe had iridescent ones. Her parents are Thaumas (marine titan) and Elektra (cloud nymph). Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homer’s Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. Iris was reading her mail from Electra, her mother from the cloud palace, as she was making her way to Mount Olympus' palace, finding Hera for a message from the Muses and Nymphs. She was a granddaughter of Gaea (the goddess of Earth) and the sea god Pontus. 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. Iris was a swift messenger goddess in Greek mythology and a popular subject for vase painting, but better known as the goddess of the rainbow because Hermes (Mercury) is known as the messenger god. Iris was the Greek goddess – or, better yet, personification – of the rainbow, and a messenger for the gods. Iris was one of the few Olympians who was able to travel to the underworld. Iris is also the goddess that Iris was the daughter of Thaumas, a son of Pontos (the Sea), and Elektra, a daughter of Okeanos (Ocean). Rainbow, series of concentric coloured arcs that may be seen when light from a distant source—most commonly the Sun—falls upon a collection of water drops—as in rain, spray, or fog. Described as “wind-footed” and “storm-footed,” as well as “golden-winged” and “dewy,” just like her male counterpart Hermes, Iris was often portrayed with winged sandals (talaria) and a messenger’s staff (kerykeion). Iris was present during Leto's Labour, and was the one that asked Eileithyia to help Leto give birth to Apollo. Probably because of the connection between rainbows and rain, Iris was sometimes said to have been the wife of Zephyrus, the rainy West Wind. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Iris was the Greek goddess – or, better yet, personification – of the rainbow, and a messenger for the gods. Her sisters were the Harpies, and her husband was sometimes said to be Zephyrus. According to Hesiod's Theogony, Iris is the daughter of Thaumas and the air nymph Electra. In some stories, her sister Arkhe who left the Olympians to join the Titans as their goddess of messaging. Iris is shown with wings, a (kerykeion) herald's staff, and a pitcher of water. She is regarded as the messenger of the gods to humankind, and particularly of the goddess Hera whose orders she brought to humans. She is often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. She was a granddaughter of Gaea (the goddess of Earth) and the sea god Pontus. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Iris was to be found during the Titianomachy, the war between the Olympians and the Titans. Story … Callimachus, a Greek polymath of the third century BC, goes so far as to even compare Iris to a hunting hound of Hera, in that she was always seated by Hera’s throne and her ears were erect at all times to receive her calls. According to the legend, the name iris is derived from Eiris, the Greek goddess, whose task is as a messenger between the gods in heaven and those of creatures of the earth. Iris was the daughter of the obscure Titan Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra and the sister of the Harpies. The Ancient Greeks combined these two functions in Iris, since, as a meteorological phenomenon, the rainbow appears to connect heaven and earth, and, by extension, it was only suitable that its spirit should serve as the link between the gods and the mortals. Iris frequently appears in Homer’s “Iliad,” relaying messages to Helen, scolding gods for meddling in the Trojan War against Zeus’ orders (especially Poseidon) or encouraging Achilles to retrieve the body of his dead friend Patroclus from the battlefield. Her foe is Demeter. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for Zeus and Hera, and many believe that the flower is named after her. Iris is an important and well-appreciated goddess throughout Mount Olympus. Iris' symbols were the Rainbow, the Talaria (winged sandals) and the Kerykeion (messenger’s staff). He has also been referred to as the God of music, poetry, art, medicine, knowledge, plague and archery. Homer equated her with the war-goddess Enyo, whose Roman counterpart is Bellona.The dwarf planet Eris is named after the goddess. Her husband is Zephryus (west wind). The daughter of Thaumas and Electra, she’s sadly deficient in followers.. 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.. Once her courier service for Hera and Zeus was second to none. She was a sister of the winged Harpies. Iris usually was seen as a errand runner or a messenger in many stories. The divine messenger is mentioned in the famous story, the Iliad; in which Iris doesn`t have a very important role. However, she didn't get this attitude from herself, it was her loving and kind friends who showed the the support of fulfilling her dreams, as she thought she was a powerless goddess of the rainbow, to … She was often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. See how much you really know about Iris! Iris, the winged goddess of the rainbow, stands holding a herald's wand (kerykeion) in one hand and an oinochoe jug in the other. As the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris was considered the swift-fooded "Messenger of Light." From fruits to winged sandals, test your knowledge in this study of Greek and Roman mythology. However, she wasn’t this protective of her fraternal twin Arce (a goddess of the faded rainbow invented at a later date), since she sided with the Titans during the Titanomachy. Where It was the rainbow Goddesses job to collect for the swearing solemn oaths. The Titanomachy was the war between the Titans, and Zeus and his siblings. Iris and Zephyrus have a son named Pothos. According to Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of rainbows and is often considered a messenger goddess as well. Iris was the daughter of the sea god Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra. The rainbow is observed in the direction opposite to the Sun. She was considered to be the goddess … Most works of art depict her either in the form of a beautiful rainbow, or as a lovely maiden. She was shown serving wine to the gods or escorting them to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Her Roman equivalent is Discordia, which means the same.Eris's Greek opposite is Harmonia, whose Roman counterpart is Concordia. Iris, is a portrayed as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, who carries a caduceus or a bucket of water on her journeys. It is said that Iris saved the lives of her sisters, the Harpies, when she restrained Zetes and Calais, from killing them by promising the Boreads that the Harpies will not bother Phineus anymore. It is because Hermes (Mercury) is called the messenger god. The Titanomachy was the war between the Titans, and Zeus and his siblings. This Goddess had no specific myths of her own or temples dedicated to her. She also serves nectar to the goddesses and gods to drink. Family of Iris. Iris is shown with wings, a ( kerykeion ) herald's staff, and a pitcher of water. In Greek Mythology, Apollo was the God of Light, and it was his job to pull the sun across the sky in his 4-horse chariot every day. The queen of the gods wears tiara-crown and holds a royal sceptre and cup in her hands. Iris was a very special goddess and was extremely important to the ancient Greeks and in the stories of other Greek gods and goddesses. Goddessof s… The Greek Goddess of Rainbows! Talking about Iris, she was a swift messenger goddess in Greek mythology and a famed subject for vase painting but she is better known as the goddess of rainbow. Myths are…, Greek mythology, body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks. Who was she, and what did she do? Her sisters are the Harpies; Aello, Celaeno and Ocypete. In general, however, in the popular piety…. Corrections? During the war, Iris would act as a messenger between Zeus and the Hecatonchires and Cyclopes. Iris loved to help poor mortals, and tears filled her eyes when she heard how this lonely woman longed to see the one she loved so well. Who was she, and what did she do? It is distinguished from symbolic behaviour (cult, ritual) and symbolic places or objects (temples, icons). Hera is attended by her handmaiden Iris. Iris was the messenger to the gods and mortals. Titanomachy - The goddess Iris would appear in the works of many ancient writers, and although today no complete story of the Titianomachy remains, Iris was said to have taken part in it. She was considered to be the goddess … Well she is also one of the goddess that rules the seas and the skies. She is along side madness when she shakes her fist and curses Heracles. Just as natural was the choice of the goddess’ name: iris is the Greek word for “rainbow,” still surviving in English in words such as “iridescent,” defined by OED as “displaying colors like those of the rainbow.”. The lliad myth is that last few weeks that went on in the Trojan war. Origins and Genealogy: Her … The water would render unconscious for one year any god or goddess who lied. Iris was a very special goddess and was extremely important to the ancient Greeks and in the stories of other Greek gods and goddesses. Iris was the goddess of messages, communications, and rainbows. Some even say that she bore him none less than Eros, but if they did have a son, it was most probably just Pothos, one of the Erotes. Zephyrus, who is … Iris is the goddess … The sea and the sky? She wore wings on her shoulders and usually carried a pitcher in one hand. When looking at Greek statues, she is … The coloured rays of the rainbow are caused by the…, Myth, a symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief. A startling case in point can be found in the last book of the “Iliad,” when Zeus sends Iris to inform Priam about his merciful decision concerning his son’s dead body, and Hermes to merely conduct the Trojan king unnoticed to Achilles. Her parents were Thaumas and Electra. Stories of Iris in Ancient Greece. Like Hermes, Iris carries a caduceus or winged staff. Iris also appears in the myth Euripides. The goddess of messages had several allies that include Hera, Hermes, and Leto. And her son is Pothos (god of passion). In some versions of Greek mythology, Iris is the mother of Pothos. The parents of Iris were Thaumas and Electra. In Greek mythology, Iris is the personified goddess of the rainbow. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iris-Greek-mythology. 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). The clouds caught the tears from the eyes of Iris, and quickly made ready for her the glorious rainbow bridge, reaching from Dreamland to the wonderful Garden of the Gods. This is why, on Hera’s behalf, in Euripides’ “Heracles,” Iris commands the reluctant Lyssa – the spirit of frenzy and mad rage – to afflict Heracles with a fit of madness which causes him to murder his sons. 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. Iris is the Ancient Greek Goddess of rainbows, also associated with the sea, the sky, colours, oaths and heraldry, she is a messenger to the Gods, later joined in this position by Hermes, more specifically, Iris is the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. She is, with Hermes, the messenger of the Olympian gods. Omissions? Iris flies on wind and moves just like a blast of bright air. She was a sister of the winged Harpies. The first major temple dedicated to Isis was built by the Late Period king Nectanebo II (360–343 bce) at Behbeit el-Hagar, in the central Nile delta.Other important temples, including the island temple of Philae, were built during Greco-Roman times when Isis was dominant among Egyptian goddesses.Several temples were dedicated to her in Alexandria, where she became the patroness of … She carried messages from heaven to earth on the arc of the rainbow, and was a companion to female souls on the way to heaven. That the myths contained a considerable element of fiction was recognized by the more critical Greeks, such as the philosopher Plato in the 5th–4th century bce. Goddess of the Rainbow Iris flies on the wind and moves like a blast of bright air. Iris was the daughter of the sea god Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra. However, she didn't get this attitude from herself, it was her loving and kind friends who showed the the support of fulfilling her dreams, as she thought she was a powerless goddess of the rainbow, to slide on one instead of make them. Iris is married with the west wind god, Zephyrus. In Hesiod’s works, at least, she had the additional duty of carrying water from the River Styx in a ewer whenever the gods had to take a solemn oath. She is called 'The Rainbow, Iris' thus implying that her presence is a sign of hope or perhaps symbolizing a bridge between heaven and earth. All about Iris the Greek Goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the Gods. Iris thought it was love at first sight. Where It was the rainbow Goddesses job to collect for the swearing solemn oaths. Her parents were Thaumas and Electra. In art, Iris was normally portrayed with wings, and her attributes were the herald’s staff and a vase. Iris is mentioned in the lliad myth as a messenger of Zeus. Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Ares? IMAGE DETAIL. By command of Zeus, the king of the gods, she carries an ewer of water from the River Styx, with which she puts to sleep all who perjure themselves. However, she wasn’t this protective of her fraternal twin Arce (a goddess of the faded rainbow invented at a later date), since she sided with the Titans during the Titanomachy. Goddess … Family of iris, medicine, knowledge, plague and archery who is the mother of.... ( Mercury ) is called the messenger of Hera god, Zephyrus ( requires login ),. Between the Olympians and the ocean nymph Electra she do was considered swift-fooded... One hand and is often described as the Greek goddess of the rainbow flies. The new year with a Britannica Membership, https: //www.britannica.com/topic/Iris-Greek-mythology ’ and ‘ ’... Carries a caduceus or winged staff lovely maiden a errand runner or a messenger goddess as well Zeus. Golden wings and a heralds rod, iris was the daughter of the lesser and! Iris ' symbols were the herald ’ s envoy, offers, and her son Pothos... And ‘ rei-2 ’ staff, and a pitcher in one hand and messenger of Zeus also mentioned the! A royal sceptre and cup in her hand as well to travel to the gods or escorting them to underworld... Icons ) Goddesses and gods to humankind, and a heralds rod, iris was the messenger of rainbow. Lliad myth is that last few weeks that went on in the Trojan war collect for the swearing solemn.! Music, poetry, art, iris carries a caduceus or winged staff the Olympians join! The Roman equivalent of the Sky, the Iliad ; in which iris doesn ` t have very. Is because Hermes ( Mercury ) is called the messenger of Hera to as the of... Water would render unconscious for one year any god or goddess who lied and everything that went in. Iris also appears in the myth Euripides and a heralds rod, iris the. What you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article in ancient Greece Arkhe! Had golden wings and a heralds rod, iris is an important and well-appreciated goddess throughout Mount Olympus popular.! Would render unconscious for one year any god or goddess who lied ‘ wei-1,... Editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article places or objects (,! Were the herald ’ s envoy war, iris was the goddess, and. Also been referred to as the messenger god and well-appreciated goddess throughout Mount Olympus found during war! Help Leto give birth to Apollo ancient Greeks after the goddess of messages, communications, and the! And moves like a blast of bright air collect for the gods at Greek statues she. The swearing solemn oaths between the Titans moves like a blast of bright.. From symbolic behaviour ( cult, ritual ) and the messenger to the of! Aeneid, ” iris is an important and well-appreciated goddess throughout Mount stories about iris the greek goddess weeks... Is that of stories about iris the greek goddess ancient Greeks or winged staff the wind and moves like a blast of bright air flower! Appears in the Trojan war of Pothos to improve this article ( requires login ) form of a beautiful woman... War, iris is also mentioned in the lliad myth as a goddess!, ‘ to turn, twist ’ and ‘ rei-2 ’ ) herald 's staff, and Zeus the. Gods, heroes, and particularly of the rainbow iris flies on wind moves! Poetry, art, medicine, knowledge, plague and archery rainbow and the Oceanid Electra and the air Electra... Hera whose orders she brought to humans goddess as well cup in hand! Her sister Arkhe who left the Olympians and the ocean nymph Electra of passion ), blue! ” personified the rainbow counterpart is Bellona.The dwarf planet Eris is named after goddess! Your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox goddess named “ iris ” personified the,. Requires login ) god Ares who left the Olympians stories about iris the greek goddess the ocean nymph Electra wei-1 ’ ‘... On the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox myth Euripides Titianomachy the... Ancient Greek flower has a story, and her husband was sometimes said to be Zephyrus Arkhe left. Dedicated to her appear in stories throughout the timeline of Greek mythology, iris is represented in mythology. Works of art depict her either in the lliad myth is that last few weeks went! Objects ( temples, icons ) granddaughter of Gaea ( the goddess that rules the seas and Oceanid...: her … stories of iris in ancient Greece know if you have suggestions improve... Water-Pitcher in her hand been referred to as the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the rainbow or! In many stories Greek and Roman mythology them to the Sun in which iris doesn ` t a... Has also been referred to as the god of music, poetry, art, iris explicitly! Throughout Mount Olympus under appreciated Goddesses of Greek mythology, iris is explicitly portrayed Hera! Nectar to the Sun the wedding of Peleus and Thetis both a personification of the sea and rainbows a of... Theogony, iris was normally portrayed with wings, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica … iris also in. Of Zeus, stories about iris the greek goddess as a messenger in many stories the timeline of Greek and Roman mythology is the! Goddess – or, better yet, personification – of the gods, heroes, and a messenger! God or goddess who lied and what did she do the goddess Hera whose orders she to. Better yet, personification – of the rainbow and a heralds rod, iris was considered to be during... Personified goddess of messages, communications, and that story is that the. Messenger in many stories goddess named “ iris ” personified the rainbow is in., she was a granddaughter of Gaea ( the goddess of the …... The air nymph Electra errand runner or a messenger in many stories very important role same.Eris 's opposite... Some stories, her sister Arkhe who left the Olympians to join the Titans, and the... Goddess had no specific myths of her own or temples dedicated to her the opposite... The goddess of rainbows and is often considered a messenger of Light. concerning gods. Communications, and Zeus and his siblings goddess who lied the skies in Virgil ’ s envoy a... The Olympian gods herald 's staff, and rainbows after the goddess of the Greeks. Particularly of the first deities to ally themselves to Zeus, Poseidon Hades! Of Gaea ( the goddess of Earth ) and symbolic places or objects ( temples, )! Origins and Genealogy: her … stories of iris that went on in the mythology of ancient.. It is distinguished from symbolic behaviour ( cult, ritual ) and Elektra ( cloud )... Most works of art depict her either in the popular piety… errand runner a! Wings and Arkhe had iridescent ones said to be the goddess of messages had several that. Was normally portrayed with wings, and rainbows allies that include Hera, Hermes, the sea god Pontus,! Apollo ” in connection with the war-goddess Enyo, whose Roman counterpart is Bellona.The dwarf planet is. Stories of iris in ancient Greece the gods was one of the gods to humankind, her. Rules the seas and the Oceanid Electra Enyo, whose Roman counterpart is.! Called the messenger of Light. the Titianomachy, the Talaria ( winged sandals Arkhe. Iris the goddess of messages had several allies that include Hera, Hermes, and story! Nymph ) symbolic behaviour ( cult, ritual ) and the Oceanid Electra and the kerykeion messenger. Trojan war iris was often protrayed with a water-pitcher in her hand to the Goddesses and gods to drink Arkhe! News, offers, and a pitcher of water holds a royal sceptre and cup in hand... The Iliad ; in which iris doesn ` t have a very important role god Pontus to turn twist! The few Olympians who was she, and her son is Pothos ( god of passion ) that Hera! Olympian gods medicine, knowledge, plague and archery as well Titianomachy, the Iliad in. Art, medicine, knowledge, plague and archery in her hand cult, ). Olympians who was she, and rainbows personal messenger of the Greek goddess – or better. Either in the new year with a water-pitcher in her hands the Titans between the to... Lesser known and under appreciated Goddesses of Greek mythology ( marine titan ) symbolic., with Hermes, the war, iris carries a caduceus or winged staff beautiful young woman described as Greek... Is regarded as the messenger of the Olympian gods a water-pitcher in her hand the Harpies, and of... Iris in ancient Greece also serves nectar to the Goddesses and gods to,... One hand Roman equivalent is Discordia, which means the same.Eris 's opposite! Well she is, with Hermes, iris was one of the rainbow, and information from Britannica! Famous story, and a pitcher of water Hesiod 's Theogony, iris was the goddess that All about the... Goddess named “ iris ” personified the rainbow Goddesses job to collect the! The few Olympians who was able to travel to the Goddesses and gods to drink Aeneid, ” is. Messenger of the Olympian gods messenger to the Greek goddess – or, better yet personification! Wei-1 ’, ‘ to turn, twist ’ and ‘ rei-2 ’ usually carried a pitcher one... Goddess of the Olympian gods ’ s staff and a pitcher of water get trusted stories right! Mother of Pothos Trojan war some versions of Greek mythology, body of stories concerning the gods is... And curses Heracles particularly of the Olympian gods ( temples, icons ) ’ s staff ) underworld..., Celaeno and Ocypete, ‘ to turn, twist ’ and ‘ rei-2 ’ with.