Greek Myths XS: The Origin's of the Orchid's Peculiar Shape

Being a young man in ancient Greece was about as good as it got. Especially when you happened to be the only sun of a nymph and a satyr. The beauty of your mother, combined with the masculine power of your father, would make you irresistible, for both sexes, and it would ensure you of a life of indulgence. If you didn’t spoil it yourself, which was exactly what Orchis did. When he attended a bacchanal, a party in honour of Dionysos, he was spoiled for choice for a companion. But he chose the one who wasn’t interested. He had never had no for an answer, so he grew frustrated, and took with force what she didn’t want to give. Her cries alarmed the other guests, and the drunken fun degenerated in a drunken frenzy. Whoever got hold of a piece of arrogant Orchis, didn’t let go, and he was literally pulled apart. Hundred tiny pieces of him spread out, and little orchids started to grow. While the memories of their violent origin have faded over time, their peculiar shape still mirrors the male and female body.

Bacanal de los Andrios, Titian, Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain

Youth, bronze statue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA