Chloris
nymphChloris was a nymph whom Zephyrus (the west wind) abducted and married, making her the goddess of flowers — the Romans called her Flora.
The Myth
Zephyrus seized Chloris and married her. As compensation, he gave her dominion over all flowers. She became the spirit of spring — wherever she walked, flowers bloomed. Ovid tells how she breathed and roses grew. The Romans identified her as Flora, whose festival (Floralia) was celebrated with wild abandon each April-May. In Botticelli's Primavera, Zephyrus chases Chloris on the right, and she transforms into Flora, scattering flowers.
Parents
Various (or Amphion and Niobe)
Children
Carpus (by Zephyrus)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Chlorophyll — the green pigment that allows plants to photosynthesise — is named from chloros (green), the root of Chloris's name.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
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Calliope
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