Flora
Roman goddess of flowers and spring, equivalent to the Greek Chloris
The Myth of Flora
Flora was the goddess who made flowers bloom, and her festival, the Floralia, was one of Rome's most exuberant celebrations. Held from 28 April to 3 May, the Floralia featured theatrical performances, the release of hares and goats into the streets, and the scattering of beans and flowers among the crowds. The festival had a reputation for licentiousness — performers would strip at the audience's demand, and the celebrations had a wild, carnivalesque atmosphere. Flora's worship was ancient, attributed to the Sabine king Titus Tatius, and she had two temples in Rome. Ovid recounts that she was originally the Greek nymph Chloris, transformed by the West Wind Zephyrus into the goddess of flowers.
Parents
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Floralia festival was so risque that the austere senator Cato the Elder once left the theatre rather than inhibit the performers
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Thallo
⚡ godSpring, growth
Goddess of spring blossoms and one of the original Attic Horae who presided over the budding of plants
Chloris
🌿 nymphGoddess of flowers, wife of Zephyrus
Chloris was a nymph whom Zephyrus (the west wind) abducted and married, making her the goddess of flowers — the Romans called her Flora.
Ianthe
🌿 nymphViolet flowers, spring
Oceanid nymph associated with violet-colored blossoms and the beauty of spring meadows
Proserpina
⚡ godSpring, underworld, renewal
Roman queen of the underworld and goddess of spring growth, equivalent to the Greek Persephone
Persephone
⚡ godQueen of the underworld, goddess of spring
Daughter of Demeter and queen of the underworld. Her annual return from Hades brings spring; her descent brings winter — the mythological explanation of the seasons.
Castalia
🌿 nymphprophecy, springs
A nymph who was transformed into a spring at Delphi, whose waters inspired prophetic visions.
Demeter
⚡ godGoddess of harvest and the Eleusinian Mysteries
Demeter was the goddess of grain, harvest, and fertility whose grief over Persephone's abduction explained the seasons and whose Mysteries promised hope beyond death.
Carpo
⚡ godHarvest, autumn
Goddess of the autumn harvest and one of the original Attic Horae who presided over the fruiting of crops
Lilaea
🌿 nymphrivers, springs
A Naiad nymph of the spring that feeds the river Cephissus in Phocis, and the namesake of an ancient Greek town.
Telphusa
🌿 nymphsprings, prophecy
A spring nymph of Boeotia who tricked Apollo into building his oracle at Delphi instead of at her spring.
Auxo
⚡ godGrowth, summer
Goddess of plant growth and one of the original Attic Horae who presided over the increase of crops
Charites
⚡ godGrace, beauty, and festivity
Collective name for the three Graces who embodied charm, beauty, and creative inspiration