Myrrha

Common card · No. 283074

Myrrha (; Ancient Greek: Μύρρα, romanized: Mýrrha), also known as Smyrna (Ancient Greek: Σμύρνα, romanized: Smýrna), is the mother of Adonis in Greek mythology. She was transformed into a myrrh tree after having coitus with her father, and gave birth — in tree form — to Adonis. Although the tale of Adonis has Semitic roots, it is uncertain where the myth of Myrrha originated, though it probably came from Cyprus. The myth details the incestuous relationship between Myrrha and her father, Cinyras. Myrrha falls in love with her father and tricks him into sexual intercourse. After discovering her identity, Cinyras draws his sword and pursues Myrrha. She flees across Arabia and, after nine months, turns to the gods for help. They take pity on her and transform her into a myrrh tree. While in plant form, Myrrha gives birth to Adonis. According to legend, the aromatic exudate of the myrrh tree are Myrrha's tears. The most familiar form of the myth occurs in the Metamorphoses of Ovid, and the story...

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