Chapter II 



Origin of Names 



HE ORIGIN of the various names of 

 the Iris is as fanciful as the color and form 

 of its flowers. 



IRIS. — Pliny wrote, nearly two thousand years ago, 

 that "iris" is Egyptian for "eye", and that the name 

 "Iris" signifies "Eye of Heaven". 



The word "iris" is Greek for "rainbow". In 

 classic mythology Iris, the rainbow personified, was 

 one of the minor goddesses, and messenger of the 

 greater divinities, particularly of Juno. In art (as 

 vase-paintings and reliefs, there are no statues of her) 

 she wears a long and full tunic, over this a light gar- 

 ment; wings on the shoulders; bears the herald's staff 

 in her left hand and sometimes a pitcher (Fig. Ill, 

 page 64). 



Various Iris, Jove's commands to bear, 



Speeds on the wings of winds through hquid air. 



Homer: Iliad II {Pope's tr.). 



Meantime, to beauteous Helen, from the skies 

 The various goddess of the rainbow flies. 



Homer: Iliad III {Pope's tr.). 



65 



