Mythology -

Greek Mythology- Mnemosyne

Mnemosyne I call, the Queen, consort of Zeus, Mother of the sacred, holy and sweet-voiced Muses. Ever alien to her is evil oblivion that harms the mind, she holds all things together in the same dwelling place, in the mind and soul of mortals, she strengthens the powerful ability of humans to think.

Most sweet, vigilant, she reminds us of all the thoughts that each one of us is for ever storing in our hearts, overlooking nothing, rousing everyone to consciousness. But, blessed goddess, awaken for the initiates the memory of the sacred rite, and ward off forgetfulness from them.(Trans. Jules Cashford)

According to Greek text, Mnemosyne came from the Olympian generation of goddesses. She was a titan goddess born from Cronus and was proclaimed the goddess of memory. Her name means mnemonic, as in mnemonic devices in math. She was considered one of the most powerful goddesses of her time. Memory, some believe is a gift that sets us apart from the other creatures in the animal world. Because of our ability to remember we can reason, predict outcomes, and prevents disasters from reoccurring. Mnemosyne is not a main topic of the god's in greek mythology but she is often associated with her daughters, the Muses. The Muses are the daughters of Mnemosyne. After the terrible war against the Titans was over, the Olympians asked Zeus to create divinities that would entertain them and celebrate their victory. Zeus went to see his wife Mnemosyne in Pieria and slept with her nine consecutive nights, in which they conceived the nine Muses. The Muses, in one story are asked to remember the past and they are asked to bring back more then just facts, but the original feeling in which these facts made sense and could be preserved, which does in turn make them worth remembering. To learn more about Mnemosyne and other Muses click here

The Forget-Me-Not Flower

The Forget-me-not flower is associated with love and memories. It is said that in a medieval legend, a night and his lady were walking along the river. He picked a bouquet of flowers to give to his loved one. He fell into the river where he was walking along and as he was drowning he shouted out to his lover "forget-me-not". This flower also dates back to 15th century Germany, where it was supposed that whoever had possession of these flowers would never be forgotten by their lovers .

Another legend of this flower told from Angelfare.com says that a ,"Wayfarer in a lonely valley who sees a flower at his feet he had never before seen. He picked the flower, and immediately the mountainside opened. He entered and saw rich stores of gold and precious gems. He began to gather them, but dropped the little flower, which murmured faintly, ~forget-me-not.~ The wayfarer was so intent on the possessions before him, he ignored the plea. The rift in the mountain began to close, and he barely had time to escape. But, alas! the little flower that had opened the treasure-cave was lost forever." -http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/f.html

In addition, according to Christian text, "God was walking through the Garden of Eden after the Creation, He noticed a small blue flower and asked its name. The flower, overcome by shyness, whispered, 'I am afraid I have forgotten, Lord.' God answered, "Forget Me not. Yet I will not forget thee."-http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/f.html

Sources:
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/g-mnemosyne.htmx
http://www.theoi.com/image/img_mnemosyne.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/f.html
http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm#forgetmenot
http://flowershopsflowers.com/forget-me-not-flowers