The Roman goddess of flowers was Flora. She was a fertility goddess and represrnted Spring. Her festival was
the Floralia, celebrated between April 28 and May 3 and symbolized the renewal of life, merry-making, and flowers began in 238 BCE.
Floral offereings were made during the festival alongside honey, floral waters and flowered oils (perfume).
She and her festival is famed for the Queen of all May Days. Floralila was a day for flowers and to honor a woman's body. Her festival was observed by being in the nude up until the third century CE when Roman government demanded that clothes must be worn. This pagan festival survived until the 4th century CE when the Roman Catholic Church banned All Pagan celebrations.
Her Greek counterpart was Chloris.Flowers and fruit represent fertility and new birth. Flora embodies the desires in the moment and hope in the future.
Flora's unique flower is Lupine bean blossoms.
Flora by Mosè Bianchi 1890 public domain
Written by Nifty Buckles Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved
Source & Reference:
- Featured image: Portrait of a Courtesan as Flora by Bartolomeo Veneto, c. 1520
- H. Nettleship ed., A Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1891)
- Britannica .com online https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flora-Roman-mythology
