In
Greek mythology, Mecon (in
Ancient Greek , ''Mḗkо̄n'', meaning "
poppy") was a beautiful young Athenian man, loved by the goddess
Demeter
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Demeter (; Attic: ''Dēmḗtēr'' ; Doric: ''Dāmā́tēr'') is the Olympian goddess of the harvest and agriculture, presiding over crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the earth. Although s ...
.
Mythology
The handsome Mecon became the lover of the agricultural goddess
Demeter
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Demeter (; Attic: ''Dēmḗtēr'' ; Doric: ''Dāmā́tēr'') is the Olympian goddess of the harvest and agriculture, presiding over crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the earth. Although s ...
. He was transformed into a poppy flower at some point for his own preservation.
[ Servius on Virgil's '' Georgics']
1.212
/ref> Demeter was greatly associated with poppies, the flower seen as one of her symbols.
See also
* Smilax
* Hyacinthus
''Hyacinthus'' is a small genus of bulbous, spring-blooming perennials. They are fragrant flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae and are commonly called hyacinths (). The genus is native to the area of the eastern M ...
* Crocus
* Clytie
Notes
References
* Maurus Servius Honoratus. ''In Vergilii carmina comentarii''. Servii Grammatici qui feruntur in Vergilii carmina commentarii; recensuerunt Georgius Thilo et Hermannus Hagen. Georgius Thilo. Leipzig. B. G. Teubner. 1881.
* William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street.
External links
PLANT AND FLOWER MYTHS from The Theoi Project
Metamorphoses into flowers in Greek mythology
Attic mythology
Attican characters in Greek mythology
Consorts of Demeter
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