Kaikias
God of the northeast wind associated with cold weather and hailstorms in the Greek wind system
The Myth of Kaikias
Kaikias was the divine personification of the northeast wind in Greek meteorological religion. He was associated with cold, harsh weather, particularly hailstorms and the bitter winds that swept down from Thrace and the northern mountains during winter. On the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Kaikias is depicted as a bearded man pouring hailstones from a round shield or vessel, vividly representing the destructive aspect of his domain. The northeast wind was particularly feared by sailors in the Aegean, as it could drive ships onto the rocky coasts of the eastern Greek islands. Kaikias was one of the eight Anemoi, the wind gods who were children of Eos, the dawn goddess, and Astraeus, the Titan of dusk. Together the Anemoi governed the entire compass of winds that shaped Greek agriculture, navigation, and daily life throughout the Mediterranean world.
Parents
Eos and Astraeus
Symbols
Fun Fact
On the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Kaikias is shown pouring hailstones from a bowl, the only wind god depicted with a weapon of weather
Explore Further
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⚡ godWind, north
Alternative name for the god of the true north wind, sometimes distinguished from Boreas as a calmer northern breeze
Apeliotes
⚡ godWind, east
God of the east wind who brought warm rain beneficial to crops and was considered a gentle and favourable deity
Skiron
⚡ godWind, northwest
God of the northwest wind associated with the onset of winter and the cold dry air from the Adriatic
Euronotus
⚡ godWind, south-southeast
God of the south-southeast wind that brought warm humid air from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt
Eurus
⚡ godwind
God of the east wind, the only one of the four Anemoi not given a specific seasonal role by Hesiod.
Lips
⚡ godWind, southwest
God of the southwest wind associated with warm weather and favourable sailing conditions from Libya
Boreas
⚡ godGod of the north wind
Boreas was the god of the cold north wind, bringer of winter.
Argestes
⚡ godWind, west-northwest
God of the west-northwest wind whose name means clearing or brightening, associated with fair weather after storms
Venti
🐉 creaturepersonifications
The four wind gods — Boreas, Notus, Eurus, and Zephyrus — each ruling a cardinal direction
Notus
⚡ godwind
God of the south wind, bringer of late summer storms and the hot, damp winds feared by sailors and farmers.
Libonotus
⚡ godWind, south-southwest
God of the south-southwest wind blowing from the direction of Libya, bringing warm air and occasional sandstorms
Zephyrus
⚡ godGod of the west wind
Zephyrus was the god of the gentle west wind, bringer of spring.