Iris was the messenger of the Olympian gods and personifies the rainbow, therefore being its goddess. This goddess used rainbows as a bridge to allow her to move between realms. 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. ris symbolizes good news and luck. By some accounts, the ancient Greeks believed the rainbow was actually the … Its looped form bears a resemblance to an Ankh. The iris earned its name from the ancient Greek Goddess Iris, a messenger to the gods who was thought to use the rainbow as a bridge between heaven and earth. This personification of a rainbow was once described as being a link to the heavens and earth. The iris got its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Iris is often pictured with a staff known as a kerykeion (similar to a caduceus) or an oinochoe (water pitcher). The tyet symbol is the most common symbol for Isis. Depictions of the goddess Isis show her wearing an empty throne on her head. She had gold wings attached to her shoulders and winged sandals on her feet. Iris is also the goddess of the sea and sky, since her father was a marine-god, and her mother a cloud-nymph. It was believed that Iris was responsible for replenishing rain clouds from seawater to provide bountiful rainfall. Etymological Meaning of the Iris Flower. Iris is represented either as a rainbow, or as a beautiful young maiden with wings on her shoulders. Irises may also express courage and admiration. If her wings were missing in the artistic representations, she was pictured holding a caduceus, which was also a symbol of hers. 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 a champion show-off when it comes to color. As a goddess, Iris is associated with communication, messages, the rainbow and new endeavors. It is sometimes called the knot of Isis and it stands for her protection. Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homer’s Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. 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. 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. 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. In fact, the word iridescence means rainbow. It is also associated with resurrection and eternal life. In some texts she is depicted wearing a coat of many colors. Also, the Greek goddess Iris is associated with both the iris and rainbows. 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