Kharites

The KHARITES (Charites), also known as the Graces, were three goddesses associated with grace, beauty, adornment, joy, mirth, festivity, dance, and song.

A group of younger Kharites oversaw various other pleasures of life, such as play, amusement, banquets, floral decoration, happiness, relaxation, and repose.

The Kharites served as attendants to the goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. One of them, named Kharis (Charis), was the spouse of Hephaistos (Hephaestus), while another, Pasithea, was wed to Hypnos (Hypnus), the god of sleep.

Classical depictions of the three Kharites often featured them as nude women, holding hands and engaging in a circle dance. They were occasionally adorned with crowns and held sprigs of myrtle.

In Greek vase paintings, a group of youthful Kharites frequently accompanied Aphrodite as her retinue.