Goddess
Iris
Ἶρις
Roman:
Iris
Overview
Goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger.
Generation
Titan descendants
Symbols
Rainbow, wings, herald's staff
Notes
Daughter of Thaumas and Electra.
Beyond Antiquity
Modern Legacy
Iris still appears in the modern world through language, science, medicine, astronomy or culture.
Iris of the Eye
Today: The coloured ring of tissue surrounding the pupil of the eye.
Iris is the Greek word for rainbow and also the name of Iris, the rainbow-associated divine messenger. The anatomical iris was named for its varied colours.
Explore Iris in medicine →