Who was Iris in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology, Iris is a winged divinity, messenger of the gods, often associated with Hera and personification of the rainbow. Her role is to establish communication between Olympus, where the gods reside, and the mortal world. She is sometimes compared to Hermes, another divine messenger, but her role is more symbolic and poetic, linked to celestial phenomena and the transmission of divine wills.

Iris is the daughter of the Titan Thaumas, a marine divinity, and the Oceanid Electra, making her a figure linked to the aquatic element and the sky. Her sisters are the Harpies, darker winged creatures that contrast with Iris’ lightness and benevolence.

In some traditions, Iris is described as having a dual role: she brings messages to the gods, but also to men, crossing the sky at lightning speed thanks to her golden wings attached to her shoulders or sandals.

Like Hermes, Iris is primarily known as a messenger. However, while Hermes is Zeus’ main messenger, Iris is often associated with Hera, the queen of the gods. She brings him news and carries out his orders with speed and efficiency.

Her presence is often mentioned in epics, notably Homer’s Iliad, where she transmits divine messages to heroes and other gods. Unlike Hermes, who can sometimes be mischievous or deceitful, Iris is a benevolent and loyal figure, entirely devoted to her mission.

Her rainbow, which serves as her celestial path, represents the link between the divine and terrestrial worlds. This element makes her a luminous divinity, associated with meteorological phenomena and cosmic harmony.

Although Iris has no main myth dedicated to her, she does appear in several stories. In the Iliad, she intervenes on several occasions to deliver messages to the gods and heroes, notably when she is sent by Zeus or Hera to influence the course of the Trojan War.

In some late myths, she is described as a servant of the gods who brings water from the Styx, the river of the Underworld, when the gods have to take an oath. This role reinforces her link with the elements and her ability to travel between different worlds.

As goddess of the rainbow, Iris symbolizes connection, communication and speed. She also embodies the transmission of celestial messages, a role that made her invaluable in the ancient worldview, where natural phenomena were often interpreted as divine signs.

Its name has survived the centuries and is still used today, notably to designate the colored part of the eye (the iris) or certain brightly-hued flowers reminiscent of the rainbow.

The iris is a fascinating divinity of Greek mythology, the incarnation of the rainbow and messenger of the gods, notably Hera. Discreet but essential, she symbolizes divine communication and celestial speed. Her figure lives on in modern culture through her name and her luminous attributes.

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