Fortuna (luck)
Topics in Roman mythology Important Gods: Jupiter *Mars *Quirinus *Vesta *Juno *Fortuna *Minerva *Mercury *Vulcan *Ceres *Venus *Lares Legendary History Roman religion *The Flamens Greek/Roman myth compared — Other personified abstractions: *Aius Locutius *Angerona *Concordia *Copia *Fides *Spes
Fortuna was propitiated by mothers. Traditionally her cult was introduced to Rome by Servius Tullius.
Fortuna had a temple in the Forum Boarium, a public sanctuary on the Quirinalis, as the tutelary genius of Roma herself (Fortuna Populi Romani the 'Fortune of the Roman people'), and an oracle in Praeneste where the future was chosen by a small boy choosing oak rods with possible futures written on them.
In art, she was portrayed standing in an expensive dress; she was associated with the cornucopia, rudder, ball and blindfold, and the wheel.
All over the Roman world, Fortuna was worshipped at a great number of shrines under various titles that were applied to her according to the various circumstances of life in which her influence was hoped to have a positive effect. Fortuna was not always positive: she was doubtful (Fortuna Dubia); she could be 'fickle fortune' (Fortuna Brevis), or downright evil luck (Fortuna Mala).