REIMAGINING MYTHOLOGY

THE THREE GRACES

In Greek mythology, the Three Graces (known as the Charites in Greek) were sister goddesses who personified charm, beauty, and creativity, and were often depicted as a trio of beautiful, young women who danced in a circle. They were believed to bring joy and good will to both gods and mortals. The most commonly recognized names for the three Graces are Aglaea ("Splendor" or "Brightness"), who represented beauty and elegance; Euphrosyne ("Mirth" or "Joy"), who symbolized joy, cheerfulness, and the pleasures of life; and Thalia ("Good Cheer" or "Bloom"), who embodied festivity, abundance, and the flourishing of nature.

The Graces played an attendant role to other major deities, particularly as handmaidens to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. They were also closely associated with the Muses and Apollo, the god of music, often appearing on Mount Olympus, singing and dancing to Apollo's lyre during divine banquets and festivities. In art and literature, they are consistently portrayed together, often in a linked or intertwined, dance-like pose, symbolizing the interconnected nature of beauty, charm, and joy. This depiction became a canonical formula for artists throughout history, including Botticelli, Raphael, Rubens, and Canova.