According to Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a young Spartan prince loved by both the god Apollo and the goddess Aphrodite. While playing a game of discus, a tragic accident occurred, and Hyacinthus was struck and killed by a discus thrown by Apollo. From his blood, the hyacinth flower is said to have bloomed. Thus, the hyacinth became a symbol of the love and sorrow associated with the myth of Hyacinthus. As Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, and desire, the hyacinth became linked to her as a symbol of love, particularly of tragic and unfulfilled love.
In Roman mythology, the goddess Venus is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. While the specific mythological connection between hyacinth and Venus is not as prominent as in Greek mythology, the hyacinth is still associated with love and beauty, qualities commonly associated with Venus. The flower's delicate and fragrant blooms are often seen as expressions of Venus's enchanting and captivating energy.
In both cases, the hyacinth is connected to themes of love, beauty, and tragedy. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of love and the fragility of life. The hyacinth's association with these goddesses adds depth and symbolism to its significance in rituals, ceremonies, and mythological narratives related to love, desire, and the divine feminine.