Iris

Iris is a name with a few identifications. Foremost, in Greek mythology, Iris is both the personification of the rainbow and the messenger between the gods as well as a link between the gods and mortals. She connects to the earth from heaven via the rainbow which she creates by watering the clouds from her pitcher of water obtained from the sea. The daughter of Thaumas (a sea god) and Electra (an Oceanid), Iris appears in Homer’s Iliad as a minor deity and divine messenger with a winged staff who carries a pitcher of water from the River Styx she uses to cast a sleeping spell on those that perjure themselves. She is therefore associated with not only the rainbow, but also communication and new endeavors. The word “iridescence” is derived in part from Iris and the Spanish word for rainbow is “arco iris” (arco meaning arch). In Greek (ίριδα), Iris simply means ‘rainbow’. Iris is also the word used to signify a certain type of flower, a genus with 200-300 flowering varieties (hence the name since these flowers represent a ‘rainbow’ of colors). The Iris symbolizes faith, hope and wisdom and in ancient times, dark purple irises were planted over the graves of women to call upon the goddess as a guide to the otherworld. In the Middle Ages, Irises were associated with the French monarchy and the familiar fleur-de-lis symbol is modeled after this flower. The Iris is the state flower of Tennessee. Iris is also the word for a blue-violet color and is the anatomical word for the part of the eye that displays eye-color. Iris as a female personal name among English-speakers was mainly popularized in the 19th century when naming daughters after flowers became fashionable.