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Iris
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Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece.
From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology
mythology. Greek. Hermes. (Roman Mercury)
A Study of Greek and Roman Mythology
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Iris

Greek mythology
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History

Iris, in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and (in Homerā€™s Iliad, for example) a messenger of the gods. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of Thaumas and the ocean nymph Electra. In Hesiodā€™s works, at least, she had the additional duty of carrying water from the River Styx in a ewer whenever the gods had to take a solemn oath. The water would render unconscious for one year any god or goddess who lied. In art, Iris was normally portrayed with wings, and her attributes were the heraldā€™s staff and a vase. She was shown serving wine to the gods or escorting them to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis.