Charites

In Greek mythology, the Charites were the three graces: Aglaea, the youngest, Euphrosyne and Thalia (according to the Spartans, Cleta was the third). They were the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, usually, though also said to be daughters of Dionysus and Aphrodite or Helios and the naiad Aegle. Homer claimed they were part of the retinue of Aphrodite. Their Roman equivalent were the Gratiae.

The Charites were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility. They were great lovers of beauty and gave humans talents in the arts, closely associated with the Muses. The Charites were associated with the underworld and the Eleusinian mysteries.

The river Cephissus near Delphi was sacred to them.

The Charites are depicted together with several other mythological figures in Sandro Botticelli's painting Primavera. Among other artistic depictions, they are the subject of famous sculptures by Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen.