In
ancient myth, Iris, the sister of the harpies and goddess of the storm,
was represented by the rainbow. She was as swift as the wind, had wings
of gold, and was employed by Juno for her especial messenger, as
Mercury was the messenger of Jupiter. She carried messages unto the ends
of the earth and even into the depths of the sea. By some of the Greek
poets she is called a virgin goddess. One day the flowers all assembled
at the invitation of Juno to celebrate the birthday of Iris. They all
came in their prettiest dresses and were having a fine time when three
new sister flowers were seen approaching, dressed in gowns of red,
yellow, and purple, and wearing gorgeous jewels, but no one knew who
they were. As they were without names, they were christened Iris,
because they wore the colors of the rainbow, and thus it is that they
bear the name of the messenger of the gods.
~K.M. Beals, Flower Lore
and Legend
