Iris (goddess)

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**Iris** is a goddess in Greek stories. She is the goddess of rainbows and also a messenger who carries messages between the gods and people. She often works for Hera, the queen of the gods. Iris is the daughter of two Titans, Thaumas and Electra, and she has sisters called the Harpies, who are part woman and part bird. People often called her names like "golden-winged Iris," "swift Iris," or "swift-footed Iris" because she is very fast and bright.

Iris was born to Thaumas and Electra, and her sisters were the Harpies. Some writers say that Iris married Zephyrus, the West Wind, and they had a child called Pothos, who is the god of wishes and likes. Some stories also say that Eros, the god of love, was their son.
As the goddess of rainbows, Iris is very colorful. Wherever she flies, she leaves a rainbow behind her. She shines light all around her and uses the rainbow like a bridge to move between heaven and earth. She can even help fill the clouds with water after it rains. People in stories imagined the rainbow as a way for her to connect the gods with humans.

Iris is also a very important messenger for the gods, especially for Hera and Zeus. She sometimes sleeps under Hera’s throne on Mount Olympus so she can quickly carry messages or do works. She usually does not go near the sea or the River Styx unless there is a fight among the gods. Iris can carry messages that are very important, like when Demeter hid herself after her daughter Persephone was taken, Iris was sent to bring her back, but Demeter did not listen. In other stories, she gave messages to kings like Turnus during wars, helping them know what to do.
Iris also helped in the Trojan War. She sent messages to soldiers and gods many times. She once acted like Prince Polites to give warning signs to the Trojan army that the Greeks had arrived. She also talked to Helen about a fight between Paris and Menelaus. She helped Aphrodite when she was hurt by taking her to a safe place on Mount Olympus. Iris carried messages from Zeus to other gods and warriors to help the battles go the way the gods wanted. She also helped Achilles many times, giving him messages, calling the winds to help him burn a fire for his friend Patroclus, and helping his mother, Thetis, to ask him to do the right thing. She even met King Priam to give Zeus’ message about giving gifts to get Hector’s body back.

Iris helped with the birth of Apollo too. The goddess Leto had a very difficult time giving birth on the island of Delos. All the goddesses helped, and Hera sent Iris to get Eileithyia, the goddess who helps with childbirth. Iris ran to Mount Olympus, brought Eileithyia to Delos, and then Apollo was born safely.
Iris also helped her sisters, the Harpies, when they were being followed by the sons of Boreas, the North Wind. The Argonauts, led by Jason, were helping a man named Phineus who was being disturbed by the Harpies. The sons of Boreas ran after the Harpies, but Iris quickly came down and told them that the Harpies should not be killed, only scared away. She used water from the River Styx to promise that the Harpies would not disturb Phineus again, and the Argonauts allow the Harpies to live.
Iris is bright, fast, and helpful. She brings rainbows, carries messages for gods and people, helps in battles, and even takes care of families and friends. She is a very important and kind goddess in Greek stories.

## Related pages 
*Iridium