CITHEREA, CITHERIA, CYTHEREA is another epithet of Venus. One version of her birth states that she first set foot on Cythera after emerging from the sea (Heroides VII.59-60).

Palamon prays to "blisful Citherea benigne," KnT 2215. Cytherea has a firebrand in her hand, PF 113-119, just as Venus has a firebrand at Januarie's wedding, MerchT 1726-1728. Venus throws a firebrand at the castle of jealousy, RR 15776-15778.

Citherea is also the name for the planet Venus. Dante refers to the planet as Citerea, Purg. xxvii.95. Chaucer refers to its position, PF 113-119, as north northwest. Robinson (793) points out that the planet may be so described when she is at or near her greatest distance from the equator. The meaning of the phrase is still the subject of various interpretations. Citheria is the "wel-nilly" or the "well-wishing" planet, Tr III.1254-1257, in a passage which blends mythology and astrology [Palamon: Troilus: Venus]

Citherea, the ME spelling variant, occurs medially, KnT 2215; Citheria appears medially, Tr III.1255; Cytherea occurs initially, PF 113.