Fortuna is the Roman goddess of luck, fortune, and fate. She embodies the unpredictable nature of life, representing both the blessings of prosperity and the potential for sudden misfortune. Her Greek counterpart is Tyche, the goddess of fortune and prosperity.

1. Etymology:

   • The name Fortuna comes from the Latin word fors, meaning luck or chance.

2. Parentage:

   • Fortuna is often considered a daughter of Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods. However, her origins are not clearly defined in mythology, emphasizing her role as a force beyond the control of even the gods.

3. Domains:

   • Fortuna governs over both good and bad luck, prosperity, destiny, and chance.
   • She was also associated with fertility, abundance, and the unpredictability of human fate.

4. Symbols:

   • Wheel of Fortune (Rota Fortunae): Symbolizes the ever-changing nature of fate, where one's position on the wheel can change from fortune to misfortune at any moment.
   • Cornucopia: Represents abundance and prosperity.
   • Globe or Sphere: Indicates the unpredictability and instability of luck.
   • Blindfold: Fortuna is sometimes depicted blindfolded, showing her impartiality and randomness in dispensing luck.

• Fortuna is often shown as a woman with flowing robes, holding:
  • A cornucopia to pour out wealth and abundance.
  • A rudder or steering wheel, indicating her control over the direction of life and fate.
  • Standing on or turning a wheel, symbolizing life's constant ups and downs.

1. Temples and Festivals:

   • Fortuna had numerous temples across the Roman Empire.
   • The most famous was the Temple of Fortuna Primigenia in Praeneste (modern-day Palestrina), where she was revered as the goddess of fate and motherhood.
   • Celebrations in her honor included Fortuna's festival (Fortuna Redux) on June 24.

2. Forms of Fortuna:

   • Fortuna Primigenia: Goddess of fate and prophecy.
   • Fortuna Redux: Protector of travelers, ensuring a safe return.
   • Fortuna Muliebris: Protector of women.
   • Fortuna Virilis: Goddess associated with men's luck in love and relationships.
   • Fortuna Annonaria: Goddess of the grain supply and abundance.

1. Fortuna in Stoicism:

   • Stoic philosophers saw Fortuna as a representation of the uncontrollable aspects of life.
   • They emphasized the importance of remaining indifferent to her whims and focusing on personal virtue.

2. Medieval Representation:

   • During the Middle Ages, Fortuna's Wheel of Fortune became a popular motif in literature, symbolizing the cyclical nature of fate.

• Fortuna remains a powerful symbol in Western culture, representing luck and fate.
• Her Wheel of Fortune has influenced modern concepts of chance and destiny, from tarot cards to game shows.
• Fortuna is invoked in literature, art, and philosophy as a reminder of life's unpredictability.

Fortuna's story and symbolism capture the ancient understanding of life's capriciousness, teaching humility and resilience in the face of changing circumstances.