Hesperides

The Hesperides

by Zeus and Themis
In Greek mythology, the Hesperides (/h;;sp;r;di;z/; Ancient Greek: ;;;;;;;;;, Greek pronunciation: [hesper;des]) are the nymphs of evening and golden light of sunsets, who were the "Daughters of the Evening" or "Nymphs of the West". They were also called the Atlantides (Ancient Greek: ;;;;;;;;;;, romanized: Atlant;des) from their reputed father, the Titan Atlas.[1]

Hesiod says that these "clear-voiced Hesperides",[16] daughters of Nyx (night), guarded the golden apples beyond Ocean in the far west of the world, gives the number of the Hesperides as four, and their names as: Aigle (or Aegle, "dazzling light"), Erytheia (or Erytheis), Hesperia ("sunset glow") whose name refers to the colour of the setting sun, red, yellow, or gold; and lastly Arethusa.[17] In addition, Hesperia, and Arethusa, the so-called "ox-eyed Hesperethusa".[18] Pseudo-Apollodorus gives the number of the Hesperides also as four, namely: Aigle, Erytheia, Hesperia (or Hesperie), and Arethusa[19] while Fulgentius named them as Aegle, Hesperie, Medusa, and Arethusa.[20][21] However, the historiographer Diodorus in his account stated that they are seven in number with no information of their names.[6] An ancient vase painting attests the following names as four: Asterope, Chrysothemis, Hygieia, and Lipara; on another seven names as Aiopis, Antheia, Donakis, Calypso, Mermesa, Nelisa, and Tara.[22] A pyxis has Hippolyte, Mapsaura, and Thetis.[23] Petrus Apianus attributed to these stars a mythical connection of their own. He believed that they were the seven Hesperides, nymph daughters of Atlas and Hesperis. Their names were: Aegle, Erythea, Arethusa, Hestia, Hespera, Hesperusa, and Hespereia.[24] A certain Crete, possible eponym of the island of Crete, was also called one of the Hesperides.[25] - - from an encyclopedia

Hesperides

Their dance
Is solemn
Like the setting Sun.
Its colours are vivid
And their movements are agile.
The Sun reflects
In clear rivers and lakes,
In high clouds,
And its golden light
Fills the space with joy.
The Sun also has red stripes
In the evening sky
And pink undertones.
The Sun falls into the depth
Of the sky
And hides under the horizon.