Legend of Iris: The flower that mythology and history magnify

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Iris is a genus of flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, not a single species. One familiar cultivated example is the bearded iris (Iris × germanica). The Greek word iris means “rainbow,” a fitting reference to the many colors found among these flowers. Here is the mythological connection behind the name.

The legend of Iris

Some iris species are native to Europe, while others originate in Asia, Africa or the Americas. Irises are sometimes confused with true lilies (Lilium), but the two belong to different botanical families. Not every iris is fragrant; gardeners prize them chiefly for their flowers and cultural associations.

In Greek tradition, the name of the flower is associated with Iris, the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.

In Greek mythology, Iris was the daughter of Thaumas and Electra and a sister of the Harpies. She was depicted as a winged messenger traveling between heaven, earth and sea, often in the service of Hera. The rainbow was her symbol or the path she traveled; it is misleading to present Hera’s transformation of Iris into a rainbow as an established classical account.

If you want to grow irises, check the species and its growing requirements before purchasing seeds. Many garden irises are also propagated by dividing their rhizomes.

Iris species and cultivars bloom in a remarkable range of colors. Their association with the rainbow messenger has inspired art and folklore, but there is insufficient evidence for the claim that only exceptionally pure people could gather these flowers in ancient Greek ceremonies.

To learn more about its mythology, you can click here.

The fleur-de-lis is a heraldic emblem historically associated with the French monarchy; its stylized form cannot be confidently assigned to a single botanical species. Some stories link the fleur-de-lis to Clovis, but their details are legendary. The emblem became firmly associated with French royalty in the Middle Ages and cannot be taken as proof that it depicted a particular plant species.

To learn more about its meaning and history, we recommend you visit the website The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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