Terpsichore

Terpsichore is a figure in Greek mythology, one of the Nine Muses. She is the muse of dance and choral song. According to myth, she is the daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the titan goddess of memory; she is thus part of the family that inspired the arts and sciences. Her name is derived from Greek terpsis, meaning "delight" or "joy," and choros, meaning "dance" or "chorus," illustrating her domain of rhythmic movement.

In artworks and literature, Terpsichore is commonly depicted holding a lyre, and sometimes shown in the act of dance or presiding over a chorus. The lyre emphasizes the close relationship between music and movement in Greek performance, which she personifies as a combined art.

As a muse, she is associated with the organized social dance of the chorus, and she was among the nine who inspired poets, historians, and musicians. The adjective terpsichorean, meaning dance-related, derives from her name.

In later periods, Terpsichore remained a symbolic figure representing dance and performance. The term is used in various cultural contexts, including literature, music, and the arts, to evoke the idea of choreographic art or rhythmic movement.