Flora (deity)

thumb|300px|The Triumph of Flora by Master of Flora, c. 1560
In Roman mythology, Flora (Latin: Flōra) was a Sabine-derived goddess of flowersH. Nettleship ed., A Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1891) p. 238 and of the season of spring – a symbol for nature and flowers (especially the may-flower). While she was otherwise a relatively minor figure in Roman mythology, being one among several fertility goddesses, her association with the spring gave her particular importance at the coming of springtime, as did her role as goddess of youth.H. Nettleship ed., A Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1891) p. 238
== Etymology ==
Her name is derived from the Latin word "flos" which means "flower". In modern English, "Flora" also means the plants of a particular region or period.Dictionary.reference.com
==Festival==
Her festival, the Floralia, was held between April 28 and May 3 and symbolized the renewal of the cycle of life, drinking, and flowers. The festival was first instituted in 240 B.C.E but on the advice of the Sibylline books she was given another temple in 238 B.C.E. At the festival, with the men decked in flowers, and the women wearing normally forbidden gay costumes, five days of farces and mimes were enacted – ithyphallic,P/ Green ed., Juvenal: The Sixteen Satires (1982) p. 156 and including nudity when called forH. J. Rose, A Handbook of Latin Literature (1967) p. 151 – followed by a sixth day of the hunting of goats and hares.H. Nettleship ed., A Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1891) p. 238 On May 23 another (rose) festival was held in her honor.
Flora's Greek equivalent was Chloris, who was a nymph. Flora was married to Favonius, the wind god also known as Zephyr, and her companion was Hercules.
Flora achieved more prominence in the neo-pagan revival of Antiquity among Renaissance humanists than she had ever enjoyed in ancient Rome.
==References==
Category:Roman goddesses
Category:Fertility goddesses