Adonia
/əˈdoʊ.ni.ə/noun
An ancient Greek festival honoring Adonis, marked by ritual mourning for his death and celebration of his seasonal return.
Did you know?During the Adonia, participants grew fast-sprouting plants called “gardens of Adonis,” which quickly withered in the heat and symbolized his brief life.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ʾadūn
“Lord or master; the ancient Semitic title underlying the name Adonis.”
2nd–1st Millennium BCE
Hebrew
אָדוֹן (ʾādōn)
“Lord, master, or ruler.”
1st Millennium BCE
Phoenician
𐤀𐤃𐤍 (ʾdn)
“Lord; likely the source of the divine name later rendered Adonis in Greek.”
5th–4th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Ἄδωνις (Adōnis)
“Adonis, the beautiful youth loved by Aphrodite and killed by a boar.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
Ἀδώνια (Adōnia)
“The Adonia, women’s festival rites mourning Adonis and symbolizing his return.”
17th Century onward
English
Adonia
“A name for the ancient Greek festival devoted to Adonis.”