In Greek mythology, Pandora was made from clay. Hesiod describes her creation as part of Zeus’s punishment of humanity after Prometheus stole fire for mortals.
The gods contributed qualities or gifts to Pandora. Hephaestus shaped her from earth, while other gods gave her beauty, skill, charm, or curiosity in later interpretations. The Greek word Pandora means “all-gifted” or “all-giving,” although ancient explanations vary.
Pandora is often compared with Eve because both figures appear in stories explaining how suffering entered the human world. They are not the same character, however, and the two myths come from different religious traditions.
The familiar expression “Pandora’s box” is also technically a later wording. Hesiod’s Greek text describes a large storage jar, called a pithos, rather than a small box. Clay therefore belongs to the creation story, while the jar belongs to the later episode involving released evils.