Iris was the messenger of the Olympian gods and personifies the rainbow, therefore being its goddess. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of Thaumas and the ocean nymph Electra. It is also said the its three upright petals symbolize faith, valor, and wisdom. It is sometimes called the knot of Isis and it stands for her protection. In some texts she is depicted wearing a coat of many colors. It was believed that Iris was responsible for replenishing rain clouds from seawater to provide bountiful rainfall. This personification of a rainbow was once described as being a link to the heavens and earth. In some parts of the world, the dark blue or purple iris can denote royalty, whereas the yellow iris can be a symbol of passion. Irises may also express courage and admiration. Its looped form bears a resemblance to an Ankh. 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. Iris is a champion show-off when it comes to color. In fact, the word iridescence means rainbow. Iris is also the goddess of the sea and sky, since her father was a marine-god, and her mother a cloud-nymph. Etymological Meaning of the Iris Flower. Also, the Greek goddess Iris is associated with both the iris and rainbows. She was usually depicted standing beside Zeus or Hera, sometimes serving nectar from her jug. If her wings were missing in the artistic representations, she was pictured holding a caduceus, which was also a symbol of hers. Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homer’s Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. The tyet symbol is the most common symbol for Isis. Depending on factors such as color and region, irises may bear additional meanings as well. 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. Iris is often pictured with a staff known as a kerykeion (similar to a caduceus) or an oinochoe (water pitcher). Mainly covered in purple hue, an iris is the symbol of royalty and it’s full of enchanting stories of gods and legends and myths. Iris always wore splendid dresses with bewitching colors. The rainbow is a symbol for many cultures and peoples; Iris has a counterpart in Zulu mythology, who is known as Mba ba Mw ana Mar esa, and I x C h e l in Mayan tradition. The tyet was used in funerary rites. She had gold wings attached to her shoulders and winged sandals on her feet. It is also associated with resurrection and eternal life. This goddess used rainbows as a bridge to allow her to move between realms. By some accounts, the ancient Greeks believed the rainbow was actually the … Iris comes in a rainbow of colors. 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