As is the nature of mythology, it is ever-shifting and mysterious. This cannot be more true for Rigena, the mysterious figure that plays a significant role in a number of myths and legends of Cyprus. While Simos Menardos gave a lecture on her in 1901 in Athens, there is no one collection of authenticated myths or details information about her which makes it harder to pin her down, giving her that "mysterious" aura.

She is described as physically appealing, but beyond that, her character is hard to describe. Some myths describe her as rich, some cruel and vindictive, others describe her as kind and compassionate, yet others portray her as mean and agonistic, while some paint her as weak and unprotected. These may be the influence of different storytellers or could be seen as different facets of her personality.

Rigena is believed to live in towers or the isolated castles of Pentadactylos. However, this is not where Cyprus' connection to her ends. As prevalent as her presence is in the myths, her influence is just as present in everyday life. Countless medieval buildings, bridges, castles, towers, caves, villages, churches, mountains, and plains are attributed to her. Many places are believed to house her throne, her palace, or her bathing houses. Such influence is to the point that it seems she is related to all of Cyprus, everything carrying a trace of her. However, archaeological research has found that the tower Pyrgos tis Regina was in fact part of a Byzantine monastery.

Yet despite her larger-than-life presence in Cyprus, Rigena is unknown down to her name. She has no regular name and is called "Rigena" which is a name hailed from medieval Frankish countries, meaning queen. During this time, Cyprus is said to have rigades and rigenes. Following this line of thinking, it is believed that Rigena could be any one of the following unknown queens:

Queen Eleanora:

Queen Eleanora was from Aragon, Spain. She was the wife of King Pieter of Cyprus (1359-1369) and mother to King Pieter II (1369-1382). Eleanora is described as dynamic, ruthless, radiant, fiery, and a schemer. She was well known for her love and passions.

Eleni Paleologina:

Eleni Paleologina was a Greek woman. She was the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine Paleologos, the daughter of Theodore II, despot of Moorea from the house of Paleologos at the church of Ayia Sophia, and wife of the king of Cyprus Ioannis II (1432-1458). She was also described as dynamic and ruthless but also determined. She was in favour of Orthodoxy and played a role in strengthening the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.

Ekaterini Kornaro:

Ekaterini Kornaro was the last queen of Cyprus and the wife of King Iakovos II (1460-1473). From her husband's death to 1489, Ekaterini had solo reign over the country until Cyprus gave up its independence and handed over its rule to Venice. Ekaterini was beloved by the people who would rise en masse to defend her. When she left Cyprus in 1489, crowds of people accompanied her, crying.

Despite the mystery surrounding her real identity, her myth is so famous, spreading tales of her wealth around the land, that many have tried to find her hidden treasures to no avail. Her popularity remains strong to this day with new fixtures being dedicated to her. In 2020, a new sculpture of the mythical queen created by renowned artist Yiota Ioannidou was placed in Latsi harbour in Polis Chrysochous. Those who donated the sculpture said that they chose the figure of Rigena because she was so closely connected to the area and they wanted to present a symbol that was everlasting. 

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