In Greek Mythology, Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest and fertility. She was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld while wandering through a flowery meadow one day. Demeter despaired at her disappearance and upon knowledge that Zeus had part in the abduction, refused to let the earth fruit until Persephone was returned. Zeus allowed Persephone to return but because she has tasted the fruit of the underworld, she was destined to forever spend a part of year with Hades as his wife in the underworld. During this time, associated with the winter months, plants die and halt to grow until Persephone return to the surface during the spring, marked by flowering of the meadows and growth of new grain.
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