Nymphs (Nopqai, “virgins”), in Greek mythology, deities of nature, life-giving and fruitful forces. Nymphs of rivers, seas, springs (oceanids, nereids, nayarids), lakes and swamps (limnades), mountains and (orestiads), groves (alseids), trees (dryads, hamadryads) and their individual species (meliads)
Nymphs are the benefactors of the places where they live, the owners of ancient wisdom, healers, soothsayers. They spin, sing songs and serve the great gods, including Artemis. They are not immortal, but live for many centuries.
The most ancient nymphs are meliads, born from drops of blood of castrated Uranus. Meliades are ash nymphs, and, thanks to their bloody origin, spears are made from ash.
Naiads live in springs, lakes and streams. Daughters of Zeus, they have the gift of healing, but they can also send diseases. Nereids (daughters of the sea elder Nereus) - nymphs of calm sea waters, Orestiades and Agrostina - nymphs of mountains, Alseids - groves, Oceanids - seas, Limnady - lakes and swamps. Pan, Priapus, satyrs fell in love with young beautiful nymphs. Even Zeus, Apollo, Hermes and Dionysus could not resist their charms. Sometimes nymphs fell in love with mortals: heroes were born from such a union (for example, Achilles).
The strength of the nymphs can be dangerous. Their beauty sometimes leads to madness
The Greeks treated the nymphs as minor deities. In their honor, they did not arrange magnificent celebrations; they were worshiped without the mediation of priests. Their sanctuaries were arranged in caves, grottoes, groves, near springs. with which they were associated.
Myths of the peoples of the world.
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Hendrik da Klerk Mythology
Imag. Hansa Zatzk Forest nymphs
