Greek Flower Myths Narcissus myth characters • Narcissus – handsome, but vain, young man. • Echo – beautiful, but talkative,nymph in love with Narcissus • Hera – queen of the gods • Nemesis – goddess of vengeance and righteous anger Plot

• Echo was in love with Narcissus, but he never noticed her, or anyone else, because he was too concerned about himself and his looks. • One day, while Hera was looking for her wayward husband, Zeus, Echo’s constant chatter distracted the goddess during her search. • To punish Echo, Hera placed a curse on her that took away her ability to speak first. Instead, she could repeat only the last words spoken to her. Plot

• Echo still tried to get Narcissus’ attention; however, he would only stare at his handsome reflection in a pool of water. • Out of shame, Echo ran off to hide in a cave or other secluded areas, where she could repeat only the last words spoke to her. (the explanation of an echo) • This angered Nemesis, who cursed Narcissus to never be able to look away from his image. Plot

• Eventually, Narcissus died. • When nymphs came to bury his body, they found a beautiful new flower (the narcissus) growing at the spot. Themes

• Vanity • Unreturned love Explanation for something in nature

• The echo • The narcissus (a type of flower) Hyacinthus myth characters • Hyacinthus – a handsome young man who was friends with Apollo • Apollo – god of truth and light • Zephyr – the west wind Plot #1

• While competing in a discus-throwing contest with his friend, Hyacinthus, Apollo’s throw accidentally veered off course. • The discus struck and fatally injured Hyacinthus. • On the spot where he bled and died, a new flower, the hyacinth, grew. Plot #2

• During a discus-throwing contest between Apollo and Hyacinthus, Zephyr became jealous of the pair’s friendship and purposely blew the discus off course. • Hyacinthus was struck and fatally injured. • Where he bled and died, a new flower, the hyacinth, grew. Themes

• Friendship • Jealousy Explanation in nature

• The hyacinth Adonis myth characters • Adonis – handsome young man • Aphrodite – goddess of love and beauty; in love with Adonis • Persephone – Queen of the Underworld; a goddess; in love with Adonis Plot

• Aphrodite found Adonis as a baby, but gave him to Persephone to raise. • When he reached adulthood, both goddesses were in love with him and did not want the other to have him. • Zeus had to step in and make a decision: Adonis would spend autumn and winter with Persephone and spring and summer with Aphrodite. Plot

• One day, while hunting, Adonis was gored by a boar. • Aphrodite rushed to his side, but there was nothing she could do. He died. • On the spot where he bled and died, a beautiful new flower grew, a deep red anemone. Themes

• Love • Jealousy Explanation in nature

• The anemone (a type of flower).