The hyacinth is a delightful flower. But do you know the tragic love story behind it? Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” a Roman narrative poem, tells the story of Hyacinth and Apollo.
Hyacinth was once not a flower, but a man. Also known as Hyacinthus, he was one of the most beautiful men ever to have lived. He was so magnificent, in fact, that even gods had the urge to be with him. One of those gods was Apollo, who gave up his shrine, his lyre, and his bow and arrow to spend all his time with Hyacinthus.
One day, the two were having a friendly game of discus. Apollo, with his godly strength, threw the discus so hard that it touched the clouds. Hyacinthus, in an effort to impress the one he loved, tried to throw it even farther. Sadly, it hit the ground, bounced back, and struck him, and he died. Apollo’s heart was overcome with grief. In mourning, he created the hyacinth flower as a way to remember his fallen love. As he wept, his tears marked the petals of the flower.
Photo courtesy of Freepik / 照片：Freepik提供
Today, the hyacinth flower represents everlasting devotion. It’s an indication that love and attachment continue after death. As a result, it’s often left on the graves of loved ones that have departed.
風信子是一種迷人的花。但你知道它背後的淒美愛情故事嗎？奧維德的《變形記》是一首羅馬敘事詩，講述了風信子與阿波羅的故事。
風信子曾非一種花，而是一個人。他也被稱為雅辛托斯，是有史以來最美麗的男子之一。事實上，他是如此的美，以至於連眾神們都有與他在一起的衝動。其中一位神便是阿波羅，他放棄了他的神殿、他的里拉琴以及他的弓與箭，花費所有的時間與雅辛托斯相伴。
有一天，兩人進行了一場鐵餅的友誼賽。阿波羅以他的神力將鐵餅奮力擲出，使它觸碰到雲層。雅辛托斯為了讓他的愛人印象深刻，試圖將它擲得更遠。悲傷的是，鐵餅砸中地面，彈起擊中雅辛托斯，他就死了。阿波羅的心悲痛不已。在哀痛中，他創造風信子花來紀念他殞落的愛人。當他哭泣時，他的淚水在花瓣上留下痕跡。
現今，風信子花代表著永恆的摯愛。這表明愛和依戀在死後仍延續著。因此，它經常被留在已故愛人的墳墓上。
MORE INFORMATION
Ovid n. 奧維德（古羅馬詩人）
Metamorphoses n. 《變形記》
narrative adj. 敘事的
shrine n. 神殿；聖地
lyre n. 里拉琴
discus n. 鐵餅
godly adj. 神的；虔誠的
mourning n. 哀痛；哀悼
petal n. 花瓣
everlasting adj. 永恆的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. strength n. 力量；力氣；優點
Kenny is often compared to a bear because of his strength.
肯尼因其力量常被比喻為一隻熊。
2. bounce v. 彈起；反彈
The basketball bounced off the backboard and into the basket.
那顆籃球從籃板反彈並進了籃框。
3. overcome v. 使受不了；克服
Elaine was overcome with emotion as she listened to the beautiful music played by the orchestra.
伊蓮聽著管弦樂隊演奏的優美音樂激動不已。
4. grief n. 悲痛；悲傷
Ariel’s grief over her friend’s death caused her to take some time off work.
艾利兒對於她朋友過世的悲痛使她休假一段時間。
5. weep v. 哭泣；流淚（三態weep-wept-wept）
After his wife’s successful surgery, Mickey sat down and wept with relief.
在米奇的妻子手術成功後，他坐下來如釋重負地哭泣。
6. devotion n. 熱愛；忠誠；奉獻
George’s devotion to his country led him to join the military.
喬治對國家的熱愛促使他參軍。
7. attachment n. 依戀；情感；連接
I have a strong attachment to my friends because we spend all day in school together.
我對我的朋友有很強烈的依戀，因為我們整天都一起在學校裡。
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