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Adonis

Adonis is a figure in Greek mythology best known as a mortal youth of exceptional beauty and a lover of Aphrodite, and in some traditions also Persephone.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Adonis is a figure in Greek mythology best known as a mortal youth of exceptional beauty and a lover of Aphrodite, and in some traditions also Persephone. He is associated with death, rebirth, vegetation, and the seasonal cycle. His name later became a term for a very handsome man.

Mythological background

Adonis appears in Greek mythology as a figure of exceptional male beauty. Ancient sources and later retellings connect him with Aphrodite, and in some versions with Persephone as well.

Myth and symbolism

The myth of Adonis is commonly interpreted as a story of death and return, reflecting the cycle of nature through winter and spring. Scholars have linked him to an older Near Eastern vegetation cult.

Death of Adonis

In the best-known version, Adonis is gored by a wild boar while hunting and dies in Aphrodite's arms. This death is a central part of the myth and appears in multiple retellings.

Name and later usage

The name Adonis is generally derived from a word meaning 'lord' in a Semitic or Phoenician language. In modern English, it is also used figuratively for an attractive man.

Key facts

  • Adonis is a youthful figure of remarkable beauty and the favourite of Aphrodite.
  • Some traditions also make Persephone his lover.
  • A central version says he was killed by a wild boar while hunting.
  • He is connected with vegetation, seasonal decay, and renewal.
  • The name Adonis is traced to a Semitic word meaning 'lord'.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Adonis?
Adonis is a figure in Greek mythology known as a beautiful mortal youth and a lover of Aphrodite; some versions also link him with Persephone.
What is Adonis the god of?
Adonis is often associated with beauty, desire, vegetation, and rebirth, though many sources describe him more as a mortal or dying-and-returning figure than a major Olympian god.
What is the myth of Adonis?
The myth tells of a strikingly beautiful youth loved by Aphrodite, whose death and return symbolize nature's seasonal cycle. Different traditions vary on his birth and on how time was divided between Aphrodite and Persephone.
Who loved Adonis?
Aphrodite is the best-known lover of Adonis, and some traditions also say Persephone loved him.
How did Adonis die?
The usual account says he was gored to death by a wild boar while hunting.
What does Adonis mean?
The name Adonis is commonly traced to a Phoenician or Semitic word meaning 'lord'.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adonis
    Supports: Adonis as a Greek mythological figure, lover of Aphrodite and Persephone, killed by a wild boar, and the name meaning 'lord'.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Adonis-Greek-mythology
    Supports: Adonis as a beautiful youth, the death-and-resurrection theme, vegetation symbolism, Adonia festivals, and Phoenician origin of the name.
  3. World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/Adonis/
    Supports: Adonis as a Near Eastern-origin figure connected to beauty, fertility, renewal, and the meaning of the name Adon.