Hymenaios
God of weddings and the marriage hymn, invoked at every Greek wedding celebration
The Myth of Hymenaios
Hymenaios, also called Hymenaeus, was the god of marriage ceremonies and the wedding song. He was typically described as the son of Apollo and a Muse, or of Dionysus and Aphrodite. He was depicted as a beautiful youth carrying a torch and a veil, leading the bridal procession. The wedding cry "Hymen, O Hymenaios!" was chanted at every Greek marriage, and the marriage song itself was called the hymenaeus in his honour. One tradition held that Hymenaios was a mortal youth of Athens who died singing at a wedding, and was thereafter invoked to prevent such misfortune. Another story had him rescue abducted Athenian women disguised as one of them, earning the right to marry the girl he loved. His torch symbolised the passage from maiden life to marriage.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Every Greek wedding included the cry "Hymen O Hymenaios!" — his name was literally part of the ceremony
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
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