In Greek mythology, nymphs are everywhere. A hero or lonely traveler would often be waylaid from completing his journey due to the distraction of a certain Alseid (nymph of the glens) or Nereid (sea nymph). Nymphs have been saddled with an unfair reputation of being the ‘bad girls’ of mythology, but not all of them were promiscuous. There is a bit of baggage that comes with being a nymph due to the fact that they were easy targets for amorous gods, or vengeful gods and goddesses. For folks of artistic pursuit, and even those who have a fetish for ancient history and legend, Greek mythology is chock full of the tribulations and triumphs of river nymphs, tree nymphs, mountain nymphs, freshwater nymphs, valley nymphs, garden nymphs, ocean nymphs, air nymphs, and grove nymphs. Some of more well known classifications of nymphs are the Naiads, Dryads, Hesperides, and Oceanids.

Naiads, the freshwater Nymphs

“And ne’er did a Grecian chisel trace, a nymph, a naiad, or a grace, of finer form or lovelier face.” Sir Walter Scott

It is said the Naiads descended from the offspring of Oceanus, the god of all fresh-water lakes, ponds, streams, etc. Each Naiad was bound to the particular river or body of water from whence she was born; therefore she would only last as long as her water source. Once the spring or fountain dried up, sadly so did she, unless she somehow managed to marry a mortal, in which case her companions would be left behind to take her place.

Naiads bestowed inspiration on those who came to pay homage and drink from their streams, sometimes they granted prophetic dreams to those who slept beside particular lakes, or healed them of their physical ailments. Although there were a few nymphs who got a bit overzealous and took a few humans down to their watery world with them, such in the case of Hylas, a companion of Heracles. But for the most part they remained true to protecting their birthrights. There was not a lot of job security in being a Naiad as they were both preyed upon and punished severely by the gods if they refused their advances, or by the goddesses for tempting their husband-gods in the first place. One river nymph, Mintha, was punished by Persephone after she found out her husband, Hades, had been having an affair with her. Blaming the nymph of course, Persephone changed Mintha into a plant, which is supposedly how the mint plant came into being.

Another infamous Naiad is Styx. From her we are given the River Styx. Though her dwelling was associated with the Underworld, Styx was given the honor of being the river over which all of the gods would make an oath. This may have been due to the fact that during Zeus’ battle with Cronos, Styx and her children had come to his aid and pledged their eternal help. Styx is also the river in which Thetis dipped Achilles to grant him invulnerability.

Dryads and Hamadryads, the tree nymphs

Though more specifically associated with the oak tree, it seems historians and poets over the years have used the term dryad to mean a general protector of all trees. Indeed there are several different types of dryads, and each would have been born at the same time a particular tree was born. The Meliae (nymphs associated with the ash tree) were said to have been created when the blood of Ouranos (Uranus) spilled onto Gaia. They were also responsible for protecting the baby Zeus from his father Cronos. Hamadryads were the living soul of the tree, and before cutting any branches or the whole tree down, it was recommended that offerings be brought to that particular tree. For here again, if the tree dies, the dryad dies, and if she is to die, she must first be respected accordingly and then it must be for a very good reason. Philoctetes found out the hard way. One legend says that he trampled on the grove of the dryad Chryse, and in retaliation, one of her snakes bit him on the ankle. The wound never healed and because of this wound he was shunned and sequestered to an island away from society.

Hesperides, the garden nymphs

These nymphs were also said to be responsible for creating the ‘evening’ and also the ensuing sunset. If so, their origin could have come from the goddess Nyx (Night) or some say that possibly Atlas (supporter of the heavens) gave birth to them on his own. The Hesperides were also guardians of Hera’s garden in which were grown spectacular golden apples. Heracles was forced by Eurystheus to steal those same golden apples to complete one of his twelve labors.

Both Hera’s garden and the Hesperides themselves are considered to represent that which is unattainable, akin to the grail in Celtic mythology and perhaps the Golden Fleece as well. They are commonly depicted by Pre-Raphaelite artists in ethereal settings, always half-naked, and always on the verge of tempting someone away from their earthly life. Mortals could not help but fall in love with them, nor could some nymphs help but fall in love with handsome mortals.

Oceanids and Nereids, nymphs of the sea

Though many tend to associate sea nymphs with the ever dreaded Sirens whose songs lured men to their death, the Oceanids were not as specific. Their domain was the sea but also larger bodies of fresh water. Supplications in the form of songs, flower wreaths, and coins could ensure peaceful passage upon the water.

Well known Oceanids are Calypso, the lonely sea nymph in Homer’s Odyssey, all but kidnapped Odysseus in order to keep him from leaving her side. Metis, another Oceanid, was the first wife of Zeus, whom he ended up swallowing when she became too clever. Metis was pregnant at the time Zeus swallowed her and thus he gave birth to Athena.

Nereids are sea nymphs, who assist sailors during treacherous storms and who seem to have been given more notoriety than the Oceanids. Thetis, wife of Peleus, was a famous Nereid who gave birth to Achilles. She did have to refuse the advances of Zeus, however, in order to do so.

There really are hundreds of nymphs in Greek mythology. Their stories deserve their own encyclopedia. We only have to look at certain rituals and practices throughout spiritual and religious organizations to see the effect they have had upon us mortals. They will always be with us in art, poetry, film, fairy-tales, books, plays, and frolicking around in our imaginations, just waiting to lure us into their worlds.

Sources:

Greek Mythology Link – www.maicar.com

Theoi Greek Mythology - http://www.theoi.com

Bell, Robert, Women of Classical Mythology, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1991