Many have heard the expression "Pandora's box", but not everyone knows what it means and who Pandora is (translated from Greek "gifted to everyone"). Ancient Greek mythology says that this is a woman created by the gods.
Everyone remembers from childhood the story of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods on Olympus and gave it to people. The celestials did not like it very much. They considered that people are happy, healthy, well-fed, and the earth is fertile only thanks to the divine fire. Zeus ordered his son Hephaestus to create a woman. Hephaestus was the god of fire and blacksmith's craft and had a workshop on the mountain of the gods, in which he created Pandora from earth and water, who can speak. All the gods contributed to the appearance and character of Pandora. The goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite made her a divine beauty; Hermes, in charge of the forces of nature, endowed her with cunning, tongue-tied and cunning; the goddess of wisdom and justice, Athena gave her magnificent outfits. The gods brought her as a gift to Prometheus, but he knew that nothing good should be expected from them, and refused to accept the gift. Also, Prometheus warned his younger brother to be vigilant. But the insidious Pandora was able to charm Prometheus's brother Epimetheus and married him to herself. The fool believed that such a gentle beauty was not capable of harming anyone. At first everything was fine, the lovers were happy …
But the evil Zeus decided to give Epimetheus a closed box in which all human sins, diseases, evils and vices were collected. He asked the god of trade Mercury to deliver it to the newlyweds. He fulfilled the request of Zeus, left the box with Epimetheus and, refusing to spend the night, left. Before leaving, he strictly forbade opening the vessel. But curious Pandora was very interested to know what is stored in this heavy box. She stole it from her husband and tried to lift the lid, but to no avail. Suddenly, quiet, plaintive voices were heard from the box, asking her to save them. Pandora was confused, but voices begged her to release them. The woman succumbed to persuasion and opened the lid … All troubles and misfortunes began to jump out of the box, Pandora realized her mistake and slammed the lid. However, vices have already begun to bite and sting Pandora, her husband and all the people around them. Everyone got hurt, and they began to quarrel and get angry at each other. But then Epimetheus suddenly heard another thin voice coming from the box. Pandora repented of her act asked her husband not to give in to pity and leave the box closed. To which Epimetheus said that she caused many troubles to people, if one more is added, it will not be worse. He opened the drawer, from which flew not trouble, but timid hope. She touched the bitten spots on the bodies - and the pain immediately passed. Then hope flew to earth to help people who became victims of evil vices and diseases that humanity still suffers. It is so usual that hope always appears after a disaster and instills in people faith in the best. Pandora repented of her act asked her husband not to give in to pity and leave the box closed. To which Epimetheus said that she caused many troubles to people, if one more is added, it will not be worse. He opened the drawer, from which flew not trouble, but timid hope. She touched the bitten spots on the bodies - and the pain immediately passed. Then hope flew to earth to help people who became victims of evil vices and diseases that humanity still suffers. It is so usual that hope always appears after a disaster and instills in people faith in the best. Pandora repented of her act asked her husband not to give in to pity and leave the box closed. To which Epimetheus said that she caused many troubles to people, if one more is added, it will not be worse. He opened the drawer, from which flew not trouble, but timid hope. She touched the bitten spots on the bodies - and the pain immediately passed. Then hope flew to earth to help people who became victims of evil vices and diseases that humanity still suffers. It is so usual that hope always appears after a disaster and instills in people faith in the best. She touched the bitten spots on the bodies - and the pain immediately passed. Then hope flew to earth to help people who became victims of evil vices and diseases that humanity still suffers. It is so usual that hope always appears after a disaster and instills in people faith in the best. She touched the bitten spots on the bodies - and the pain immediately passed. Then hope flew to earth to help people who became victims of evil vices and diseases that humanity still suffers. It is so usual that hope always appears after a disaster and instills in people faith in the best.
Now the meaning of the catch phrase "open Pandora's box" is clear - that is, to commit an act that will lead to irreparable consequences.
The myth of Pandora's box is reflected in the works of many artists. Her name is mentioned in the works of Sophocles, Jean-Christophe Bayy, the Strugatsky brothers. Filmmakers also did not stand aside. The acclaimed film "Avatar" is set on the planet Pandora; Pandora's Box is the main artifact around which the plot of the films Xena: Warrior Princess, Doctor Who and Tomb Raider is built.
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In the 17th century in Europe, Pandora was the name for mannequins showing new fashion items.
Modern scientists also paid tribute to this myth: astronomers named Pandora an asteroid and a moon of Saturn, and biologists - a new virus.
Everyone who met this legend draws his own conclusion. Some believe that her moral is that all women are curious and unreliable. Others, that you do not need to commit rash acts. And still others believe that you always need to believe in hope and luck will be with you.