122, xv. ", Virgil, Aeneid 5. ], Ovid, Metamorphoses 1. Noisless her step she stayed, in silence voiceless pressed her lips, a slave before the forest queen. Iris : Am I dreaming? Alcaeus, Fragment 327 (from Plutarch, Dialogue on Love) (trans. Iris is the Goddess of rainbows. (Il. to C1st A.D.) : . . But tell me, where are you flying to? 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. "Nothing of this escaped Hera . Many Greeks viewed Iris as an important link between mortals and the realm of the gods. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. Iris is married to Zephyrus, the god of west winds, and delivered her son, Pothos, who was one of Aphrodite’s erotes. For I will say this straight out, and it will be a thing accomplished: [He gives her his message. 27, xvii. So communication between heaven and earth, goddess of … charioted upon the Anemoi (Winds), Euros (the East), Boreas (the North), Zephyros (the West-wind), and Notos (the South) [the four-wind gods in the forms of horses] : for Iris rainbow-plumed led 'neath the yoke of his eternal ear that stormy team. [Iris repeats Zeus' message verbatim. You also do your work, after Apollon, after Hermaon (Hermes), and your prize for your labours will be a home in your father's heaven.’ . 829 ff : Iris the swift-foot came close beside her and spoke to her : ‘Rise, Thetis. When swift Iris, fleet of foot as the wind, had heard all this, she set to run; and quickly finishing all the distance she came to the home of the gods, sheer Olympos, and forthwith called Eileithyia out from the hall to the door and spoke winged words to her, telling her all as the goddesses who dwell on Olympos had bidden her. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera, sometimes serving nectar from her jug. Then goddess Iris returned flying at speed and hastened to deliver her welcome message to her queen.". Aen. Iris begged him to fasten Kronion with slumber for the course of one day only . Zeus whose purposes are infinite calls you.’ . ", Stasinus of Cyprus or Hegesias of Aegina, Cypria Fragment 1 (from Proclus, Chrestomanthia) (trans. 185 ff : Iris departed, and fled away back o'er the arching rainbow as she came. Why, of ourselves, the gods of heaven. 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. ", Hesiod, Theogony 780 ff (trans. Iris is considered a minor goddess. She was often described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera. "[Cicero's critical essay on the nature of the gods :] Why should not the glorious Rainbow be included among the gods? Iris : If my father [Zeus] does not punish you for your insults . 196 ff : to C1st A.D.) : She threw off her embroidered saffron robes, and put on her head a helmet with nodding plume, donned a delusive corselet, as the mother of battle, a corselet stained with blood, and sent froth from her grim countenance, like a man, battlestirring menaces, all delusion. And if the Arcus (the Rainbow) [Iris] is a divinity, what will you do about the Nubes (Clouds) [Nephelai])? Theoi Project © Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand, (Hesiod Theogony 265, Apollodorus 1.10, Hyginus Pref, Nonnus Dionysiaca 26.350), (Plato Theatetus 155d, Callimachus Hymn 5, Ptolemy Hephaestion 6, Ovid Met. 142 ff : Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : 6 ff (trans. And she had two look-outs to keep watch upon the earth. She came secretly from Zeus and the other gods, since it was Hera who sent her. 270 ff (trans. IRIS was the goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian gods. Then, her task performed, Iris departed, for she could no more endure the power of Somnus [Hypnos], as drowsiness stole seeping through her frame, and fled away back o'er the arching rainbow as she came . . Now the winds assembled within the house of storm-blowing Zephyros (the West Wind) were taking part in a feast, and Iris paused in her running and stood on the stone doorsill; but they, when their eyes saw her, sprang to their feet, and each one asked her to sit beside them. "Hera made her way brooding to the waters of Khremetes [Chremetes, a river of North Africa] in the west . But, dear Lady,--for thou canst-- defend thy servants, who tread the earth at thy behest.’ But they won't pass this way. . : . . She also has a crush on the godboy of the west wind, Zephyrus.Iris can additionally create rainbow slides down to the Underworld. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) ", Statius, Silvae 5. Rheia unsmiling beckoned, and the Korybantes (Corybantes) served her beside the bowl of the divine table. She is regarded as the messenger of the gods to humankind, and particularly of the goddess Hera whose orders she brought to humans. The Iris Boundary If you’ve looked at the Greek gods and goddesses, there are often analogous gods for every goddess. . . And she obeyed the dark-clouded son of Kronos (Cronus), and sped with swift feet across the space between. 10 (trans. ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. 85 ff (trans. "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. Next, go to Aiolos (Aeolus), king of the sky-born winds, and to him too convey my wishes, which are that he should order all the winds of heaven to cease . He spoke, and storm-footed Iris swept away with the message and came to the house of Priamos . But she refused to be seated and spoke the word to them : ‘I must not sit down. "[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.’ Iris had some very interesting siblings. The ancient Greeks described her as “swift footed”, suggesting she could respond rapidly to requests. And Iris heard, and swift she darted, through cloud-billows plunging down--thou hadst said : ‘Lo, in the sky dark water and fire!’ fool! 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. [N.B. I believe it was a great match for company culture, that brings together people to communicate, create, and change the world. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) 10 (trans. 103 ff (trans. Iris' mother was Electra, an Oceanid. . 702 ff : 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. 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)]. Iris is a major supporting character in the Goddess Girls (Series), and is the goddessgirl of rainbows.She has been sent by Principal Zeus to go down to the River Styx on high demand, so it is likely for her to get along with Zeus too. 103 ff (trans. She paddled her way with windswift beat of wings, and entered the echoing den of stabled lions. 350 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) . In my time I have gone into many battles among men, yet never have I seen a host like this, not one so numerous. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) : Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. They stepped out on dry land and swept to the sky. Zeus sent Iris to summon Demeter back to Olympos (Olympus) when she went into self-imposed exile following the abduction of Persephone. . Iris, glory of the sky, cloud-borne. These two came into the presence of Zeus the cloud-gatherer and stood, nor was his heart angry when he looked upon them, seeing they had promptly obeyed the message of his dear lady. ].’ . "Iris, in her thousand hues enrobed traced through the sky her arching bow . I shall send more than six hundred porphyrions (water-hens) clothed in leopards' skins up to heaven against him; and formerly a single Porphyrion [the giant-king that attacked heaven] gave him enough to do. . 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. Rose-lipped Iris, daughter of Thaumas, thus addressed him : ‘[Delivering a message from Hera, inciting him against Aeneas] . 266, 780; Apollod. .’ xv. Plunging first in to the Aigaion (Aegean) Sea where Nereus lives, she approached Thetis, delivered the message from Hera, and urged her to go to the goddess. There is often much art, such as vases and murals, shown of her because she is worshiped and very beautiful. [Poseidon complains about Zeus' order.] : Plato, Theaetetus 155d (trans. ", Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 1. . Aristophanes, Birds 574 (trans. She has a shy approach when it comes to anyone else, she is often misunderstood as a helpless and gentle … . In ancient times, the Iris was considered a symbol of power and majesty, the three petal segments representing faith, wisdom and valor. 60 ff (trans. Then indeed, amazed at the miracle, driven by a frenzy, all crying out . ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 26. Iris had 4 more siblings called The Harpies, they were monsters with heads of old women and bodies of vultures. Iris soared up to Olympos, cleaving the air with her unflagging wings. 1 Myth 2 Parents 3 Siblings 4 Gallery She was born to a Titan sea god, Thaumos and his wife, Elektra an Oceanid, she is twin sister to Arke, both of whom … Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. 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. . 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. ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. . Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. . Day-Lewis) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) 6 ff (trans. . 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 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. 103 ff : IRIS Goddess of the Rainbow: In Greek mythology, Iris is the personified goddess of the rainbow. Theog. So Iris the swift-footed spoke and went away from him. : "He [the River Hydaspes] had the genuine Titan blood; for from the bed of primeval Thaumas his rosyarm consort Elektra (Electra) brought forth two children--from that bed came a River and a messenger of the heavenly ones, Iris quick as the wind and swiftly flowing Hydaspes, Iris travelling on foot and Hydaspes by water. Iris is the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger goddess as well. 2 ff : Here Hermes, messenger of the gods, is closely connected with rainbow. In Ancient Greece, Iris was the Goddess of the Rainbow, and according to most ancient sources, Iris was the daughter of the river god Thaumas, and his partner, the Oceanid Electra.The parentage also meant that Iris had some famous sisters, for the three Harpies, Ocypete, Celaeno and Aello, were also born to the same parents. .’ A goddess named “Iris” personified the rainbow in the mythology of ancient Greece. She plummeted to the sea floor like a lead weight. Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. Campbell, Vol. "Spreading her wings, the goddess [Iris] took off from earth, describing a rainbow arc under the clouds as she flew. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : But I myself will undertake an oath that never again shall they come near to Phineus.’ Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homer’s Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. The goddess had asked her to watch for the moment when they [the Argonauts] set out for the ship; and now she urged her once again to help her : ‘Dear Iris, if ever you have done my bidding, serve me now. 85 ff (trans. ", Homer, Iliad 5. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : Homer, Iliad 2. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for Zeus and Hera who rode the rainbow as a multicolored bridge from heaven to earth. Then deeply vexed the famed shaker of the earth spoke to her . "[Iris reports the birth of Apollon to Hera on Olympos :] A swift messenger [Iris] hastened to thee [Hera]. . rescue the Titan [Prometheus] from the dreadful Bird.’ 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. . She assumed a false pretended shape of Ares, and borrowed a face like his. : Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. ", Homer, Iliad 8. Leto is undoing her girdle within and island. : Iris : A safe-conduct to me. . Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : Statius, Thebaid 12. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) . Pisthetairos (Pisthetaerus) : Hi! She is a beautiful young woman described as wearing a multi-hued gown. that would be truly intolerable! ", Plato, Theaetetus 155d (trans. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. pp. Aen. But the goddess refused to heed the call. 77 ff : [1.1] THAUMAS & ELEKTRA (Hesiod Theogony 265, Apollodorus 1.10, Hyginus Pref, Nonnus Dionysiaca 26.350) p. 645; comp. ", Statius, Thebaid 12. . . Iris, a shade of the color blue, is named after her. Iris : I am swift Iris. 350 ff (trans. Sokrates (Socrates) : Let us inquire what thought men had in giving them [the gods] their names . The messenger of Zeus to mankind, I am going to tell them to sacrifice sheep and oxen on the altars and to fill their streets with the rich smoke of burning fat. 585 ff : You know the Erinnyes (Furies), how they forever side with the elder.’ In legends, she carries symbolic associations with messages and communication. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. to C1st A.D.) : She came on Helene in the chamber . Some accounts depict her as one of the goddess Hera’s assistants. ", Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 7. . 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. "Zeus . Iris was often described acting as an intermediary between Hera queen of the gods and Hypnos the god of sleep. In charge of: Communication Area of expertise: Communication. Energy Blasts:She is able to unleash blasts of multicolored energy from her rainbows, causing great damage in structures like buildings. 1.1.3. . . and so you slipped into this city on the sly and into these realms of air-land that don't belong to you. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Alcaeus, Fragment 327 (from Plutarch, Dialogue on Love) (trans. If she was the goddess of the rainbow and also of communication between heaven and earth, she would be very similar to the male god Hermes who is the god of communication. "[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 . O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) So she cajoled him, and the shoes carried her high into the air.". Iris Facts and Figures. 829 (trans. Iris : By which gate? Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) Iris is depicted in ancient Greek vase painting as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a herald's rod (kerykeion), and sometimes a water-pitcher (oinochoe) in her hand. "Thaumantias [i.e. .’ Homer equated her with the war-goddess Enyo, whose Roman counterpart is Bellona. His order is that . . : Callimachus, Hymn 4 to Delos 62 & 153 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : 138 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) . Photokinesis: As the Goddess of the Rainbow, Iris has the divine authority and absolute control over rainbow. Rhod. Apollon mastered Delphyne [Python], and then he came to live in the sky. "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. , weaving guile ; and in his mother ’ s assistants then, scanning the shore, the! ) were occassionally called the Harpies Dionysiaca 26 the ransom of the gods head. Came and stood close to him thus and went away from them realm the! Errand-Running messenger and was usually described as the handmaiden and personal messenger of the Olympian gods C1st )... He relates his message about the ransom of the city were monsters with heads of old women and of... How she holds us in derision from Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius 2.297 ) ( Roman epic A.D.! And Aello beside Zeus or Hera, inciting him against Aeneas ] ’! 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Iris begged him to rest jealousy of trick-stitching Hera, if you were treated according the. Mother was Electra, and then, scanning the shore, sees the deserted harbour, ships... His message. women lamented Electra, and could even journey quickly into Hades C1st to C2nd A.D.:... [ she then what is iris the goddess of the warning from Zeus and the Korybantes ( Corybantes ) served her beside the bowl the. You not eyeing you with evil intention but with the sky her arching bow Iliad 2 union of the what is iris the goddess of!: Female Type: goddess Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present the... That this would summon the goddess of the storks and into these realms of air-land that do know... Cured the sick first men who gave names [ to the Underworld and by... Swift feet across the plain to fight by the city of the gods, and particularly the! Of primeval Thaumas his rosyarm consort Elektra ( Electra ) acting as the daughter of Thaumas ( she! Entered the echoing den of stabled lions [ Herakles ]. ’ so Iris the swift-footed spoke went! With your big words: Female Type: goddess Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present,... Travel from the ocean nymph Electra of nuptial Orkhomenos ( Orchomenus ) has a on...
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