Zephyrus
godΖέφυρος
God of the west wind
Zephyrus was the god of the gentle west wind, bringer of spring.
The Myth
Zephyrus loved the youth Hyacinthus but lost him to Apollo. In jealousy, he blew Apollo's discus off course, killing the boy — from whose blood grew the hyacinth flower. He married Chloris (Flora) and together they brought spring. He fathered Achilles' immortal horses Xanthus and Balius.
Parents
Astraeus and Eos
Children
Xanthus and Balius; Carpus (by Chloris)
Symbols
flowersgentle breezespringwings
Fun Fact
A "zephyr" in English means a soft, gentle breeze — from this god.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: