Canary Islands in Greek Myth: Elysian Fields, Islands of the Blest and Hesperides

Summary

This text explores how the Canary Islands became linked with Greek and ancient myth as the western edge of the known world. It explains why islands and remote lands attracted mythical stories and traces how Greek myths were moved westward toward the Atlantic. It then describes the Elysian Fields, the Islands of the Blest, the Fortunate Islands and the Garden of the Hesperides.

Key points

Before the discovery of America in the 15th century, the Canary Islands were considered the western extreme of the known world.
Greek myths were often located in the Iberian Peninsula, and colonial sailing later moved these mythical locations to the Atlantic islands, including the Canaries.
The Elysian Fields were a blissful afterlife, often linked with the Islands of the Blest, and appear in Homer's The Odyssey.
The Islands of the Blest are mentioned in Hesiod's Works and Days and were described with a spring-like climate, abundant forests, high fertility and vast animal populations.
Pliny the Elder's Natural History lists the Fortunate Islands, including Pluvialia, Capraria and the Canary Islands.
The Garden of the Hesperides, guarded by the Hesperides, was the place where Hercules fetched golden apples as one of his Twelve Labors.

Test yourself

The Canary Islands have always held a significant place in the ancient world, representing the "finis terrae" – the edge of the known world – for those scanning the horizon for the unknown.

The Canary Islands in Greek Mythology

The islands seem to be profoundly influenced by myth. One might ask why so many myths are associated with them. There are three very favorable settings for extraordinary and mythical tales: islands, mountains, and the "ends of the earth." An island is often seen as a closed universe where myth exists by itself, outside the usual laws. Mountains, similarly, develop mysteries and unusual phenomena. Until the discovery of America in the 15th century, the Canaries were indeed the western extreme of the known world.

The Westernization of Greek Myth

The Greeks often located mythical subjects in the geographic area of the Iberian Peninsula, which formed the western boundary of their known world. Concurrently, colonial sailing developed, eventually extending these mythical locations to the Atlantic islands, particularly the Canary Islands.

Myths Associated with the Canary Islands

Origin and Meaning of Each Myth

1) Elysian Fields

The Elysian Fields, often linked with the Islands of the Blest, represent a concept of a blissful afterlife, a residence for certain heroes and souls after death. This concept appears prominently in Western literature, notably in Homer's The Odyssey.

2) Islands of the Blest

Also known as the "Happy," "Blessed," or "Lucky Islands," they are mentioned in Hesiod's Works and Days. Its features include:

Spring-like climate
Abundant forest wealth
High fertility
Vast animal populations
Crops of bread

3) Fortunate Islands

Pliny the Elder's Natural History provides one of the earliest and most significant ancient texts mentioning these islands. He lists some of them as Pluvialia, Capraria, and the Canary Islands.

4) Garden of the Hesperides

The Hesperides, whose name is derived from Hesperus (the evening star), are associated with the West. In Greek mythology, they appear as the caretakers of the famous Garden of the Hesperides. This garden is featured in one of the Twelve Labors of Hercules, who was instructed to fetch the golden apples from it.

FAQ

Why are so many myths associated with the Canary Islands?

The text explains that islands, mountains and the ends of the earth are favorable settings for extraordinary tales. An island is seen as a closed universe where myth exists outside the usual laws, and the Canaries were the western extreme of the known world.

What were the Islands of the Blest?

Also called the Happy, Blessed or Lucky Islands, they are mentioned in Hesiod's Works and Days. They were described with a spring-like climate, abundant forest wealth, high fertility, vast animal populations and crops of bread.

Which ancient text mentions the Fortunate Islands?

Pliny the Elder's Natural History is one of the earliest and most significant ancient texts mentioning them. He lists Pluvialia, Capraria and the Canary Islands among them.