Graces

Graces (Lat. Gratiæ, Gr. Charites) divine personifications of grace, gentleness, and beauty, usually described as daughters of Zeus, who are given by Hesiod as three in number: Aglaia, Thalia, and Euphrosyne. The earliest concep- tion seems to have been but one aspect of Aphrodite; the division into a plurality of beings came later. Originally the Lacedemonians had only two Charites, Cleta and Phaëna; the Athenians also had but Hegemone and Auxo. In the early ages the graces were represented in elegant drapery; at a later period slightly draped, or entirely nude, usually holding each other by the hand, or locked in each other's embrace.