(in Latin Gratiae, in Greek Xáρις), the goddesses of grace, are described in ancient mythology as three sisters of surpassing beauty, the attendants of Venus. Their names were Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia. Various accounts of their parentage are given. By some they are made the daughters of Jupiter and Eurynome, by others of Apollo and Ægle, by others of Bacchus and Venus or Coronis. The Spartans, however, had only two Graces, Kleta and Phaëthon, whose temple was still extant in the days of Pausanias. The Athenians, also, had only two, Auxo and Hegemonie, whom they seem to have worshipped from a very early period. Originally there seems to have been only one Grace, in whom the pure idea of beauty was typified. By and bye, when the principles of aesthetics came to be more deeply investigated by the Greeks, their number was increased to three, to each of whom a special function was assigned. Thus Aglaia symbolized generally the beauty and splendour of the forms of nature, Euphrosyne mirth and happiness, and Thalia social festivity. Hence they were invoked to preside at marriages, births, and festivals of every kind. On these last-named occasions they were believed to interpose in preventing the evil consequences apt to result from excessive indulgence in wine.

The worship of the graces is said to have originated in Boeotia; and they are always represented as innocent maidens in the full bloom of youth and beauty, carrying either lyres, or myrtle branches, or roses. In early statues and carvings they are always found dressed; but in later times it became the fashion to represent them naked. As might have been expected, they form a favourite subject with modern as well as ancient sculptors and painters. Raphael and Canova have both reproduced the idea; and the marble of the one is as widely known as the painting of the other.