Myth

Strong, Laura. “The Myth of Persephone: Greek Goddess of the Underworld.” Mythic Arts. Web. 1 March 2012. < http://www.mythicarts.com/writing/Persephone.html>.

This myth appears in Greek and Roman mythology. As the maiden Persephone picks flowers in her mother’s garden, she sees a beautiful narcissus flower. When she wanders to the edge of the garden to pick the flower, the god of the Underworld (Hades) abducts her and whisks her away in a gold chariot. Persephone’s mother Demeter, who is the goddess of grain and the harvest, mourns for her daughter. She journeys to the Underworld and is able to make a bargain with Hades. Persephone will return to earth for the spring and summer months but will live with Hades as goddess of the Underworld during the fall and winter. This myth provides an explanation for how and why the seasons change.