In Greek mythology, Iris personified the rainbow and served as a messenger of the gods.
Iris was traditionally the daughter of Thaumas and the Oceanid Electra. As the rainbow, she was imagined as a bridge between the heavens and earth. Her role as divine messenger is especially associated with communication from the Olympian gods to mortals and with carrying messages among deities.
Iris is sometimes confused with Hermes, who also served as a messenger and guide. Hermes, however, was a male Olympian god with broader responsibilities, including travel, trade, boundaries, and the passage of souls. Iris remained particularly connected with the rainbow and with Hera in several literary traditions. The name Iris also became the scientific name of a colorful flowering plant.