Robin Wootton wrote:
> Incidentally Hymen was the Greek god of marriage, not just a famous
> membrane. He (or do I mean she?) turns up somewhat unexpectedly in the
> last act of As You Like It, to bless the lovers.
He. At birth he was(*) very beautiful; so much so that some thought
that he was a girl. He later became a handsome youth with a golden
mantle. His symbols are a bridal-torch and veil carried in his hand.
The Greek wedding feast is called Hymenaios.
- Adrian (now just down the corridor from Julian)
(*) Can you say `was' of a mythical character?
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Dr Adrian Bowyer |
Senior Lecturer | e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Department of Mechanical Engineering | web: www.bath.ac.uk/~ensab
University of Bath | phone: +44 1225 826826
Bath BA2 7AY | fax: +44 1225 826928
U.K. |
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