Wild flowers are most beautiful in Greece. The land is not a rich and fertile country of wide meadows and fruitful fields. Instead Greece is a land of rocky ways and stony hills with rugged mountains. Vivid wild flowers bring a startling view when they are found in the cracks and crevices of a frowning crag. The ancient Greeks found these brilliant flowers a wonderful delight. Each flower became an ancient myth that told of its creation and why it was so beautiful. These flower myths were told to make the death of a youth seem less cruel as an exquisite flower was the direct creation.

I. The Narcissus

     The creation of the narcissus flower is associated with the abduction of Persephone. Zeus called it into being to help Hades (Pluto), his brother, to carry her away.

II. Apollo and Hyacinth

     Apollo enjoyed the sport of discus throwing, especially with a youth named Hyacinth or Hyacinthus, his dearest companion. There was no rivalry; they tried for the farthest goal. Apollo's cast swiftly sped beyond his aim and struck Hyacinth full in the forehead. Apollo was horror struck to see the terrible wound with blood gushing forth. As he caught the dying youth in his arms, Hyacinth's head fell back. As Apollo knelt beside his friend and wept for him, he noticed the bloodstained grass turned green and a wondrous flower bloomed, not like the hyacinth we call by that name, but a deep purple lily-shaped flower. Apollo inscribed the petals with two letters "ai" meaning alas. Another version tells the story that Hyacinth was killed in the same manner when playing this sport with Zephyr, the west wind. There is also a story that Zephyr purposefully killed Hyacinth in his jealous anger at Apollo's preference to him.

III. Aphrodite and Adonis

     Aphrodite saw Adonis when he was born and noticed his potential beauty. She entrusted his care taking to Persephone who later fell in love with him and would not give him back to Aphrodite. Zeus had to judge as neither goddess would relinquish their claim. He decided that Adonis would spend half of the year with Persephone and the other with Aphrodite. During the time with Aphrodite Adonis loved to hunt. She would follow him dressed like a huntress as he drove her swan-chariot through the woodlands. One such occasion Aphrodite was not with him as he and his hunting dogs tracked a wild boar. Adonis' spear only wounded the mighty boar that turned mad with pain and gored Adonis with his tusks. Aphrodite heard his cries and fled to him. The dark blood flowed down his skin and his eyes grew heavy. She kissed him as he died. The crimson anemone, a wind flower, sprang up where his blood had dropped. She wept for him as did all the Muses.