Iris

Goddess of the rainbow and swift messenger of the gods, especially of Hera. Hesiod makes her the daughter of the sea-wonder Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra, and sister of the storm-snatching Harpies (Hes. *Theog.* 265–269). When the gods swear their most binding oath, it is Iris who is sent to fetch the icy water of the Styx in a golden jug (Hes. *Theog.* 780–787). In Homer she is the tireless runner between Olympus and the mortal world, carrying the will of Zeus to gods and heroes alike — the rainbow that arcs from heaven to earth made into a deity.