Being the goddess of the springtime and the queen of the underworld, Persephone had two separate sets of nymphs. As Kore, the goddess of spring, her companions were all flower nymphs. But when she was Persephone, queen of the underworld, she was surrounded by chthonic nymphs.
Kore and her spring nymphs: Kore, the daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Haides and taken to the Underworld while she was playing in a flowery meadow with the Okeanides, daughters of Okeanos (Oceanus). In the meadow, they gathered various flowers including roses, crocuses, violets, irises, hyacinths, and narcissus. Kore recounted to Demeter the names of the Okeanides she was playing with, including Leukippe, Phaino, Elektra, Ianthe, Melita, Iakhe, Rhodea, Kallirhoe, Melobosis, Tykhe, Okyrhoe, Khryseis, Ianeira, Akaste, Admete, Rhodope, Plouto, Kalypso, Styx, Ourania, and Galaxaura. They enjoyed gathering sweet flowers like crocuses, irises, hyacinths, rose-blooms, lilies, and narcissus in the meadow. And then Hades came and ruined all the fun.
Persephone and her chthonic nymphs: When Kore transforms in to Persephone and transitions to the Underworld, Hecate lends her torches and her nymphs, the lampades. The lampades also carry torches and they serve as handmaidens to Persephone when she is in the realm of the dead. They are more elusive than other nymphs and none are specifically named throughout Greek mythology, lending to their elusiveness.
If Persephone’s world speaks to you—the liminal spaces between growth and rest—you can bring that same energy into your self-care routine with our Persephone collection. Scented with pomegranate and black pepper, it reflects transformation, confidence, and depth. It’s an easy way to ground yourself through ritual, whether you’re navigating change or simply honoring your own cycles.
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