Three Graces. In Greek mythology, a Charis or Grace is one of three or more minor goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility, together known as the Charites or Graces.
The usual list, from oldest to youngest, is Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia. In Roman mythology they were known as the Gratiae, the Graces.
In some variants, Charis was one of the Graces and was not the singular form of their name. The Charites were usually considered the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, though they were also said to be daughters of Dionysus and Aphrodite or of Helios and the naiad Aegle.
Other possible names of their mother by Zeus are Eurydome, Eurymedousa, and Euanthe. Homer wrote that they were part of the retinue of Aphrodite.
The Charites were also associated with the Greek underworld and the Eleusinian Mysteries. The river Cephissus near Delphi was sacred to the three goddesses. Although the Graces usually numbered three, according to the Spartans, Cleta, not Thalia, was the third, and other Graces are sometimes mentioned, including Damia, Auxesia, Cleta, Phaenna, Hegemone, Peitho, Paregoros, Pasithea and Charis or Cale. An ancient vase painting attests the following names as five: Antheia, Eudaimonia, Euthymia, Eutychia, Paidia, Pandaisia, Pannychis, all referring to the Charites as patronesses of amusement and festivities. Pausanias interrupts his Description of Greece to expand
The usual list, from oldest to youngest, is Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia. In Roman mythology they were known as the Gratiae, the Graces.
In some variants, Charis was one of the Graces and was not the singular form of their name. The Charites were usually considered the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, though they were also said to be daughters of Dionysus and Aphrodite or of Helios and the naiad Aegle.
Other possible names of their mother by Zeus are Eurydome, Eurymedousa, and Euanthe. Homer wrote that they were part of the retinue of Aphrodite.
The Charites were also associated with the Greek underworld and the Eleusinian Mysteries. The river Cephissus near Delphi was sacred to the three goddesses. Although the Graces usually numbered three, according to the Spartans, Cleta, not Thalia, was the third, and other Graces are sometimes mentioned, including Damia, Auxesia, Cleta, Phaenna, Hegemone, Peitho, Paregoros, Pasithea and Charis or Cale. An ancient vase painting attests the following names as five: Antheia, Eudaimonia, Euthymia, Eutychia, Paidia, Pandaisia, Pannychis, all referring to the Charites as patronesses of amusement and festivities. Pausanias interrupts his Description of Greece to expand
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