Fortuna

Fortuna was the Roman goddess of fortune and the personification of luck.

Symbols: Globe, cornucopia, wheel and wreath
Parents: Jupiter
Festivals: Fors Fortuna
Greek equivalent: Tyche

Colossal head believed to be that of the cult statue of Fortuna Huiusce Diei. (c) Skopas Minor

Fortuna could bestow good or bad luck onto people. She was sometimes represented veiled and blind. She was a daughter of Jupiter and like him, she could also be bountiful and generous to everybody.

Aspects of Fortuna

  • Fortuna Annonaria: brought the luck of the harvest.
  • Fortuna Belli: the fortune of war.
  • Fortuna Primigenia: directed the fortune of a firstborn child at the moment of birth.
  • Fortuna Virilis: a woman’s luck in marriage.
  • Fortuna Redux: brought one safely home.
  • Fortuna Respiciens: the fortune of the provider.
  • Fortuna Muliebris: the luck of a woman.
  • Fortuna Victrix: brought victory in battle.
  • Fortuna Augusta: the fortune of the emperor.
  • Fortuna Balnearis: the fortune of the baths.
  • Fortuna Conservatrix: the fortune of the Preserver.
  • Fortuna Equestris: fortune of the Knights.
  • Fortuna Huiusce Diei: fortune of the present day.
  • Fortuna Obsequens: fortune of indulgence.
  • Fortuna Privata: fortune of the private individual.
  • Fortuna Publica: fortune of the people.
  • Fortuna Romana: fortune of Rome.
  • Fortuna Virgo: fortune of the virgin.
  • Fortuna Faitrix: the fortune of life.
  • Fortuna Barbata: the fortune of adolescents becoming adults.
Aureus of Vespasian depicting Fortuna Augusta on the reverse holding a cornucopia and rudder. British Museum.

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