Temperance is usually shown as an androgynous figure, child of Hermes and Aphrodite (hence Hermaphrodite) meant to represent the balance between male and female. However, Hermaphroditus in the Greek legends has no wings, so I have made the figure more overtly feminine and a representation of Iris Chrisopteron (Iris the Golden-winged), who is the personification of rainbows (themselves a symbol of balance) and a link between the mortal and the divine.
She bears the symbol of the triangle within a square, symbolising harmony of mind, body and spirit. One foot in the water, one on dry land shows connection to emotion while remaining grounded, pouring one chalice of water into another signifies the flow of life and the mix of conscious and subconscious required for a complete life. The pool is surrounded by flowers, traditionally yellow irises referring to the goddess. In the absence of an iris model, I have used what came to hand for the same visual effect.
The figure is traditionally shown with the alchemical symbol for gold (=perfection) on its brow; I have just used a golden circlet instead as it works better form an aesthetic point of view.
A path behind the figure leads to the light, implying walking a moral, upright path.
I had to postwork the pouring water in CS2 (that glass filter is damn handy!), as no resources are available in DS3 as far as I know to do this. « Less
