Flora was the goddess of spring vegetation in the flowering stage; originally a Sabine deity. The Roman counterpart of the Greek goddess Chloris. According to the myth, she was introduced to Rome by Titus Tatius. Flora was an important Roman deity and belonged to one of the few fertility deities.
The goddess was the wife of Favonius – the god and personification of the west wind and the west side of the world. Her companion was Hercules.
Flora had her own priest in Rome (one of the minor flamines) and a temple nearby Circus Maximus. Celebrations in her honour, especially Floralia, were held from April 28 to May 3. The Floralia reflected the renewal of the life cycle. For the first time, her feast took place in 240 BCE. It was a joyful spring festival combined with mimic performances featuring harlots. Another day when the goddess was worshipped was May 23.
- Kempiński Andrzej, Encyklopedia mitologii ludów indoeuropejskich, Warszawa 2001
- Schmidt Joël, Słownik mitologii greckiej i rzymskiej, Katowice 1996
