Ceres is the goddess of agriculture in Roman mythology. The name is derived from the word 'ker' which means to grow and is of Proto-Indo-European origins. She was the goddess of growing plants and of motherly affection. In mythology she was the daughter of Ops and Saturn, the sister and wife of Jupiter, the mother or Proserpina, and sister of Neptune, Pluto, Juno and Vesta. Sculptures and paintings always portray Ceres adorned with a garland made out of wheat ears, a scepter and a basket containing fruit and flowers.
Ceres also shares her name with a dwarf planet which although originally classified as a planet is now considered to be an asteroid. There are numerous places called Ceres. There are places called Ceres in California, Georgia, Iowa, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia in the USA. In addition there are places called Ceres in Australia, Brazil, Italy, Scotland and South Africa.
Ceres also shares her name with a dwarf planet which although originally classified as a planet is now considered to be an asteroid. There are numerous places called Ceres. There are places called Ceres in California, Georgia, Iowa, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia in the USA. In addition there are places called Ceres in Australia, Brazil, Italy, Scotland and South Africa.