Horae

The Horae/Horai (or "Hours")(Ώρες) are the goddesses of the hours, the seasons, and natural order and are found in Greek and Roman Mythology. They lead the Sun into the sky when he rides his Chariot. Their numbers vary depending on the source, but there are usually 12 or 24 for each hour of the day, and between 4 to 11 for the Seasons and times of harvest. Originally they were split into triads.

There are also 3 who are personifications of Justice, Peace, and Order who are similar to the Graces, but are still considered part of the Horae. These three were actually the most famous of the Horae, and were often worshipped by farmers for their jurisdiction over the stars.

Myths & Legends[]

They presided over the revolutions of the heavenly constellations by which the year was measured, while their three sisters, the Moirae (Moirae) spun out the web of fate. The Horae also guarded the gates of Olympus and rallied the stars and constellations of heaven.

The Horae were particularly honoured by farmers who planted and tended their crops in time with the rising and setting of the stars—measures of the passing seasons. The association of agriculture with law and order can also be found in the divinities of Zeus, Demeter and the Daimones Khryseoi.

They are also considered to be friends of the Muses, and would often dance with them. They were also frequently seen as handmaidens to specific gods and goddesses.

The Argive Horae[]

In Argos, two Horae, rather than three, were recognized, presumably representing winter and summer: Auxesia (possibly another name for Auxo) representing summer and Damia (possibly another name for Carpo) representing winter.

The Triads[]

The First Triad - Goddesses of the Order of Nature and the Three Seasons of Growth[]

The first Triad of Horae are the ones that govern the Natural Order which is the seasons. In the early days of Greek thought there were only three seasons that they considered; which is Spring, Summer, and Autumn, while Winter didn't count since the rural farmers at that time didn't consider it as it was seen as not bountiful,

The Three Horae for these three seasons are Thallo, Auxo, and Carpo. Thallo is the Horae goddess of spring buds and shoots, identified with Eirene and Roman Flora, Auxo or Auxesia is the Horae goddess of summer growth. Carpo or Damia is the Horae goddess of autumn and the fruits of the earth. By the 2nd century AD Pausanias notes that the three goddesses was frequently accompanied by Oreithyia making her Winter to complete the set.

The Second Triad - Goddesses of the Order of Law and Society[]

The second Triad of the Horae emphasizing the "right order" aspect of the Horae, Hesiod says that Zeus wedded "bright Themis" who bore Diké, Eunomia, and Eirene, who were law-and-order goddesses that maintained the stability of society; they were worshipped primarily in the cities of Athens, Argos, and Olympia.

The Three Horae for these are Diké, Eunomia, and Eirene. they are the goddesses of justice, order, and peace respectively.

The Third Triad - Goddesses of Welfare[]

The third Triad provides the welfare of the nation or polis. The Three Horae for these are Pherusa, Euporie, and Orthosie. They are the goddesses of substance, abundance, and prosperity respectively.

As the Hours of the Day[]

Some authors like Hyginus list the Triads as the Hours of the Day instead of the elder Twelve Horae who are the daughters of Chronos and Ananke.


Name	Personified	Triad
Auxo	Growth	1st Triad
Eunomia	Order	2nd Triad
Pherusa	Substance	3rd Triad
Carpo	Fruit	1st Triad
Dike	Justice	2nd Triad
Euporie	Abundance	3rd Triad
Thallo	Flora	1st Triad
Eirene	Peace	2nd Triad
Orthosie	Prosperity	3rd Triad

Horae of the Four Seasons[]

The younger Horae of the Seasons are daughters of Selene and Helios. They are also considered to be sisters of the Fates, Nemesis, and Tyche. These Horae helped with the movement of the stars, the change of seasons, and agriculture. They number between 4 to 11 total, depending on if harvesttimes are included.

These four Horae are:

Name	Personified	Description
Eiar	Spring	She is crowned with flowers, holding either a kid or a sheep, and having near to her a budding shrub: she is also characterized by Mercury (Hermes), and by a ram.
Theros	Summer	She is crowned with ears of corn, holding a bundle of them in one hand and a sickle in the other: she is also characterized by Apollo, and by a serpent.
Phthinoporon	Autumn	She either holds bunches of grapes, or has a basket of fruits upon her head: she is also characterized by Bacchus, and by a lizard or hare.
Cheimon	Winter	She is well clothed, and her head covered, stands near a tree deprived of foliage, with dried and withered fruits in one hand and water-fowls in the other: she is also characterized by Hercules, and by a salamander.

The Horae of the Hours[]

The elder Twelve Horae are daughters of Chronos and Ananke and sisters to Aether, personification of the upper air. These Horae accompanied Helios out into the sky. Although some poets write that there are Twenty-Four. These suite of Horae personified the twelve hours (originally only ten), as tutelary goddesses of the times of day. The hours run from just before sunrise to just after sunset, thus winter hours are short, summer hours are long:

These Twelve are:

Auge (Αυγή), first light of the morning
Anatole (Ανατολή) or Anatolia (Ανατολία), sunrise
Mousika or Musica (Μουσική), the morning hour of music and study
Gymnastika, Gymnastica (Γυμναστίκή) or Gymnasia (Γυμνασία), the morning hour of gymnastics/exercise
Nymphe (Νυμφή), the morning hour of ablutions (bathing, washing)
Mesembria (Μεσημβρία), noon
Sponde (Σπονδή), libations poured after lunch
Elete, prayer, the first of the afternoon work hours
Akte, Acte (Ακτή) or Cypris (Κυπρίς), eating and pleasure, the second of the afternoon work hours
Hesperis (Έσπερίς), evening
Dysis (Δύσις), sunset
Arktos (Άρκτος), night sky, constellation

Horae
12 Horae of the Hours	Auge • Anatole • Mousica • Gymnastica • Nymphe • Mesembria • Sponde • Elete • Acte • Hesperis • Dysis • Arctus
Horae of the Four Seasons	Eiar of Spring • Theros of Summer • Phthinophoron of Fall • Cheimon of Winter
First Triad or the Horae of the Harvest-times	Thallo • Auxo/Auxesia • Carpo/Damia
Second Triad or the Horae of the Order of Law	Dike of Justice • Eirene of Peace • Eunomia of Good Order
Third Triad or the Horae of Welfare	Orthosia • Pherusa • Euporie