Return of Persephone; In Greek mythology, Persephone was the Queen of the Underworld and a daughter of Demeter and Zeus. In the Olympian version, she also becomes the consort of Hades when he becomes the deity that governs the underworld. She is the symbol of vegetation which shoots forth in spring and the power of which withdraws into the earth at other seasons of the year. an innocent maiden, a mother's grief over her abduction, and great joy after her daughter is returned.