According to Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman created by the gods and associated with the famous container.
In Hesiod’s account, Zeus ordered the gods to make Pandora after Prometheus gave fire to humanity. Hephaestus shaped her from earth, while other gods supplied gifts or qualities. Her name is commonly interpreted as meaning “all-gifted” or “all-giving,” reflecting the gifts she received from the gods.
Pandora was sent to Epimetheus, who accepted her despite Prometheus’s warning not to receive gifts from Zeus. She later opened the container in which destructive forces had been confined.
Modern retellings often call the object a box, but early Greek versions describe a large storage jar. Pandora is therefore connected both with the origin story of human troubles and with a famous expression for an action that creates many unforeseen problems.