Wanna know the true honest-to-the-gods origin of the Hyacinth flower? The flower is both beautiful and unique. The color comes from what looks more like clusters of delicate hanging bells – I usually see them in a deep blue or purple.
Botanists and evolutionary biologists would tell you the genetic story of the plant, but here you will learn the true tale of the flower.
The eponymous demi-god, Hyacinthos, was the son of the goddess and the famous muse Klio and a king (the name changes depending on the version of the tale). The god Apollo, the great archer, soothsayer, whose symbol is often the sun, was his lover. Since, apparently, Hyacinthos was popular within the ancient LGBTQ community, he had other male lovers as well. One such beloved was the West Wind (Zephyr), who was jealous of the love between Hyacinthos and Apollo. In Amyclae, South of Sparta, was laid a statue of Apollo and Hyacinthos, most likely a “hometown” region from whence came the legend involving Hyacinthos.
The legends tell us that one day in Amyclae, Apollo and Hyacinthus were showing off their discus skills. Apollo, of course, must have had an amazing throw – the heavy disc must have hung in the air for an impressive amount of time. Ancient Greeks, when they saw a disc floating through the air, perhaps did not immediately think it was an alien aircraft like we do today, but that perhaps Apollo was practicing discus on the other side of the hill. It is said the West Wind saw a great opportunity in this moment. Now, I have never had a problem with the West Wind, and I mean no disrespect, I would not want to anger any of the wind family. I sometimes play disc golf, where one attempts to throw a lightweight disc 300 feet or so into a basket. It is like playing Frisbee, but with no friend to catch it and throw it back. A game where things like trees and wind often determine one’s fate.
It is at this time the West Wind is blamed for directing the disc, as it sailed through the air, into the skull of Hyacinthos, which promptly split open and spilled its contents onto the hillside. It is there where the Hyacinth flower first arose. Local priests of the Hyacinthos cult probably propagated the flower species within their temple grounds (temenos).
As a final note: One can only imagine the vast number of times the tragic story was retold to a youth as strollers walked past a patch of Hyacinth. You too, now, when you see the flower, might remind yourself of a homoerotic love triangle gone badly, and the demi-god who had his brains spilled for your landscaping pleasure.
Fig. 1 The Hyacinth flower (Greek: ὑακίνθινος, "Hua-kin-thi-nos" meaning "blue")
The eponymous demi-god, Hyacinthos, was the son of the goddess and the famous muse Klio and a king (the name changes depending on the version of the tale). The god Apollo, the great archer, soothsayer, whose symbol is often the sun, was his lover. Since, apparently, Hyacinthos was popular within the ancient LGBTQ community, he had other male lovers as well. One such beloved was the West Wind (Zephyr), who was jealous of the love between Hyacinthos and Apollo. In Amyclae, South of Sparta, was laid a statue of Apollo and Hyacinthos, most likely a “hometown” region from whence came the legend involving Hyacinthos.
Fig. 2 The Greek region of Lakonia the location of the towns of Sparta and Amyclae
Fig. 3 Apollo embraces the slain Hyacinthos. The disc can be seen on the ground. Do you see Zephyr the West Wind?
It is at this time the West Wind is blamed for directing the disc, as it sailed through the air, into the skull of Hyacinthos, which promptly split open and spilled its contents onto the hillside. It is there where the Hyacinth flower first arose. Local priests of the Hyacinthos cult probably propagated the flower species within their temple grounds (temenos).
1876 Antique Botanical Print Hyacinth Purple Flower Plate Van Houtte
As a final note: One can only imagine the vast number of times the tragic story was retold to a youth as strollers walked past a patch of Hyacinth. You too, now, when you see the flower, might remind yourself of a homoerotic love triangle gone badly, and the demi-god who had his brains spilled for your landscaping pleasure.
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[Video] "Origin of a Flower" Ancient Light #3 live at SpoFest, Cafe Blackadder, Warrensburg, Mo., April 1, 2016.
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