The flower whose name comes from the Greek word for “rainbow” is the iris. The name derives from Ancient Greek iris, meaning “rainbow,” and connects the flower with Iris, the rainbow-associated messenger figure in Greek mythology.
The botanical genus Iris contains hundreds of species found across the Northern Hemisphere. Iris flowers are known for their distinctive structure: three upright standards and three often-drooping falls. Their colors range from blue and purple to yellow, white, pink, and near-black shades, which may have reinforced the ancient association with a rainbow’s many colors.
The mythological Iris was described as a messenger of the gods, particularly associated with Hera. Because a rainbow was viewed as a bridge between heaven and earth, the flower’s name carries both botanical and mythological meaning. The same Greek root also appears in the personal name Iris.
The flower should not be confused with the iris of the human eye, although both uses refer to appearance and color. In anatomy, the iris is the colored ring that controls the size of the pupil. In gardening, “iris” may refer to many different species and hybrids, including bearded, Siberian, and Japanese irises.