HYMEN (god of marriage ceremonies)
Divine power · Greek god of marriage ceremonies
- Parents
- Magnes, Apollo, Dionysus, Clio, Calliope, Urania, Terpsichore, Aphrodite
- Symbols and gear
- torch
- In the sources
- 14 ancient passages
Hymen, addressed as the lord of marriage, witnessed the vows made between the speaker and Jason.1,2 He wore a saffron-colored mantle that dragged along the ground, while ointments dripped onto his garland-crowned hair during the ceremony.3
The loud cry of Hymen rose during wedding processions in the city, as crowds shouted and invoked his name.4,5,6 His voice called for the performance of marriage rites on his festival day, and he was promised to be present at the union of Paris and Helen.7,8 He honored the marriage of Heracles and Hebe, and also the union of two children of Zeus, while bearing the inauspicious torch in a procession instead of Hera.9,2
Yet in certain rituals, Hymen fell silent and turned his torch toward the ground, ignoring the prayers of the people.10,6 During the nuptial rites, he fled from the sacred altars three times, turning away in fear from the bride's chamber door on each occasion.3 He arrived at the gates showing only tears and dread instead of joy, and immediately tore the crown from his head upon reaching them.3
Cassandra offered him a bright torch light and performed a sacred dance, calling for joyful hymns to salute him.1 In the Getae lands, a man with few wives was considered deprived of the pleasures of Hymen.11 He possessed a torch that was intended to light the speaker's funeral pile.2
The codex facts behind this entry
Appearance
Hymen had his temples bound with garlands when witnessing the vows. Ovid, Heroides 6.23
In the myths
The loud cry of Hymen rose during the wedding processions in the city. Iliad 18 ¶38 Hymen honored the marriage of Heracles and Hebe. Euripides, Heracleidae 910-918 Hymen honored the union of two children of Zeus. Euripides, Heracleidae 910-918 Hymen's voice calls for the performance of marriage rites on his festival day. Seneca, Medea act 2 ¶9 Hymen is promised to be present at the marriage of Paris and Helen. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 19 ¶12 Hymen ignored the prayers of the people. Ovid, Heroides 14.23 Hymen fell silent and turned his torch toward the ground. Statius, Thebaid 5.70-97 ¶1 Hymen witnessed the vows made between the speaker and Jason. Ovid, Heroides 6.23 Hymen bore the inauspicious torch in a procession instead of Hera. Ovid, Heroides 6.23 Hymen fled from the sacred altars three times during the nuptial rites. Ovid, Heroides 21.151
Worship
Cassandra offers him a bright torch light, performs a sacred dance, and calls for joyful hymns and cries to salute him during a wedding ritual. Euripides, The Trojan Women 308-340 The crowd shouted and invoked Hymen during the wedding procession. Ovid, Heroides 12.129 The people called upon Hymen during the wedding ceremonies. Ovid, Heroides 14.23
