In the Greek pantheon, Persephone is best known as the daughter of Demeter and wife of Hades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her story has been told over and over again in many forms, chiefly as a way to explain the changes in seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there’s more to her than being the Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Persephone was also known as Kore, meaning “girl” or “maiden.” The name Persephone may stem from perso, for “sheaf of corn,” and an element that originates from the proto-Indo European root gwhen, meaning “to strike.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put together, Persephone would be “one who threshes corn.” Plato interpreted her name as “one who touches things that are in motion,” which connects her to the ever-moving cycle of life and death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some folk etymologies connect her name to light, death, and even wealth. This would connect her to Hades, whose Roman name, Pluto, translates to “the wealthy one.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to ancient Greek legend, Persephone is the daughter of Demeter. (Some sources claim Zeus is her father, while others don’t name anyone.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demeter spent all of her time with her daughter, and the two were very close. Persephone was growing up, however, and the time for playing all day and holding her mother’s hand was to come to an end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hades wished to wed Persephone, and Zeus agreed. As the leader of the Gods (and potentially her father), he had the right to arrange a suitable marriage for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n