The Story of King Midas

To have “A Midas Touch” - Meaning

The Story of King Midas

Midas in Greek mythology was the king of Phrygia in Asia minor and one of the least three members of the royal house of Phrygia.

Dionysus, god of wine offered to pay him back greatly for his hospitality to the satyr Silenus who was his companion and was found by Midas wandering.

Midas was asked to make any request and Dionysus said he was ready to grant him anything.

Midas requested that anything he touched be turned to gold. Dionysus granted it and it worked; anything he touched turned to gold, including his food and water.

This made him regret the request he made when he was starving. To neutralise the effectiveness of the request, Dionysus instructed him to bathe in the Pactolus river.

After Midas bathed in the river, it was discovered that the sand of the river contained gold.

This classical scene gave birth to a popular word in English, "MIDAS TOUCH." or "Golden Touch." If somebody is said to have a "Midas Touch," it means whatever the person embarks on comes out successfully.

He/she always records success in anything he/she lays hands on.

Folahan Oyelekan is an Author, Publisher and Content creator.