History is full of the most diverse and interesting legends. Compendiums of beliefs that have been inherited from generation to generation are the component of mythologies, among which the Greek stands out as the most important. The gods of Greek mythology go through the history of the world and remain relevant in the modern world. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares and Aphrodite are some of the deities of Olympus whose names we have become familiar with. But Greek mythology also houses countless fantastic creatures, whose charms and mysteries are fascinating. On this occasion we wanted to delve deeper into what a nymph is, that sensual mythological creature that has attracted so much attention for centuries. Join us at to discover them.
What is a nymph in mythology
An infinite number of artists throughout the centuries have taken nymphs as a source of inspiration. This is perfectly understandable, if we consider that they are creatures endowed with phenomenal beauty. When we talk about what a nymph is, We are referring to a mythological being, a secondary divinity that lives surrounded by an aura of magic and mystery. Grace and delicacy define them, and they tend to appear very frequently in the various Greek mythological legends, in which they were at the service of gods, as part of their entourage, or were wives of heroes or demigods.
As secondary divinities, nymphs can be recipients of prayers, being promoters of creative activities and the balance of nature. Fairly Their natural habitat has always been found in natural environments: rivers, forests, springs, lakes and even the sea, are the most frequent homes for nymphs. During the Homeric era it was usually believed that they were direct descendants of the God Zeus, emperor of Olympus.
Characteristics of nymphs
When we try to find an answer to the question of what a nymph is, the first thing that comes into consideration is its outstanding beauty. Nymphs have the appearance of young, charming and delicate women. In this sense, its creation process is quite curious and full of mysteries. It is the natural essence of a nymph, which is capable of creating a body according to its desires, to later inhabit it. Of course, these are always beautiful bodies, since a fundamental characteristic of this mythological creature is the total contempt for ugliness and evil.
Nymphs are beings of advanced intelligence, with a quick mind and a lot of ingenuity. They usually have a kind and calm nature. It is common for its presence to be considered synonymous with the fertility and prosperity of an environment, and its magnetism is such that animals and men who contemplate a nymph are tempted to approach to be caressed by them. When talking about what a nymph is, he highlights the fact that her character can become agitated and capricious and hostile when they do not receive the treatment they feel they deserve. It is in those moments when they allow themselves to seduce mortals, driving them to madness.
These lovely creatures were free from disease or aging. Their fertility made them capable of giving birth to a complete god, and according to Homer, they should have been objects of worship. Although the characteristic of being immortal was not attributed to them, it was believed that they lived for long periods of time, during which they maintained their beauty and freshness. According to Hesiod, the well-known poet of Ancient Greece, nymphs lived a total of nine thousand seven hundred and twenty years.
These creatures, by living in the most beautiful places in nature, and living for so many thousands of years, ended up knowing their environment in the most absolute detail: dark grottoes, secret places and hidden entrances, were their total domain. When we talk about what a nymph is and its characteristics, we must also mention its nature as protectors of rivers, forests, lakes, oceans, and every natural corner that they inhabit. They had the power of healing in their hands, which they used to heal injured animals, and repair broken flowers and trees.
Types of nymphs
1. Naiads, freshwater nymphs
Of an ethereal beauty, which conveys the idea of being unattainable, the Naiad nymphs are the typical creatures that inhabited lakes, springs and rivers. Water currents are the environment they enjoy the most, and all their vital force resides in the aquatic body they inhabit. One of the most characteristic elements that defines what a Naiad nymph is is the fact that she lives and breathes thanks to her pond, lake or river, and that if it dries up, she would die immediately.
In Greek mythology, it is estimated that there were up to five types of Naiad nymphs, depending on the body of water in which they were found. The Crenas They lived in the fountains, Heleades in the swamps, Limnades in the lakes, the Pegeas in the springs and the Potamides in the rivers. Although they used to have a benevolent nature, they could also become very dangerous, severely punishing anyone who dared to bathe in their waters without their permission. They could also condemn men who hid to spy on them with insanity.
2. Lámpades, the nymphs of the underworld
When we talk about what a nymph is and its types, Lampades nymphs stand out among the most terrifying. It is believed that they belonged to the entourage that accompanied Hecate, the dark goddess of darkness, sorcery and the world beyond. The Lampades were created by Zeus, and then offered as a gift to the goddess Hecate. The greatest god of Olympus felt great gratitude for her, since she was the only one who helped him unconditionally during the Titanomaquipía, a Titan war that lasted for more than ten years.
Zeus then decided to offer these beautiful and powerful women to live in the underworld, at the service of his goddess. The nymphs accompanied Hecate on her nocturnal forays into the world beyond or the world of the living. They served as his guide, with the torches they always carried. It was said that his protection was such that if a man dared to approach Hecate, the Lampades would bring their torches closer to him, whose light blinded him and drove him to madness in seconds.
3. Nereids, the nymphs of the Mediterranean Sea
Theories about what a nymph is save a special section for the Nereids. These charming mythological creatures are the fifty daughters of Nereus, god of the waves of the sea, and Doris, an oceanid who represents the generosity of the waters.. There are theories that link the Nereids with the mermaids of Greek mythology, suggesting that the former could take the form of the latter.
Creatures of unparalleled beauty, the Nereids live in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, where they sing and dance around their father. They represent everything beautiful and generous that exists in the marine waters, and it is said that they are also part of Poseidon’s retinue. The Nereids frequently emerge to the surface to calm the waters and help sailors in need. They do it by riding dolphins, seahorses or sea monsters.
4. Hesperides, the nymphs of Hera
In the service of Hera, the goddess of marriage and family life, and wife of Zeus, the Hesperides nymphs were in charge of taking care of her garden, a famous garden that was in a distant corner of the west. It is said that the nymphs were daughters of the great Titan Atlas, and that their names were Hesperetusta, Egle and Eritia. While they were tending the garden, the beautiful young women were singing and dancing around the trees. It is also said that they were cultured, lovers of poetry and contemplating sunsets.
5. Oréades, the nymphs of the mountains
Special section when talking about what nymphs are and their types, the Oréades deserve. Charming creatures that live in mountains and caves. Among them, the most famous is the nymph Echo, who had a beautiful and prodigious voice. It is said that Echo covered Zeus while he went out to meet her lovers, distracting Hera with her melodious singing and pleasant conversation. When the goddess realized what was happening, she punished the nymph by taking away her ability to speak, and condemning her to repeat only the last word spoken by her interlocutor.
6. Dryads, the tree nymphs
In this tour of the details of what nymphs are and their types, we must not fail to mention the Dryads, beautiful creatures that stood out for their agility and grace in dancing and singing. The Dryads lived in trees, and it is believed that they also died with them. Their favorites were the oak trees, around which they did their dances. Each nymph had its own tree, which reflected its characteristics. The Dryad’s mood could also be seen in her tree. Her sadness gave way to autumn, with the fall of the leaves. On the other hand, her joy gave birth to spring.
7. Auras, the nymphs of the wind
The Auras, nymphs of the wind, are beautiful and delicate creatures from Greek mythology spawned by Boreas, the god of the north wind, Euro, the god of the east wind, Zephyrus, the god of the west wind and Noto, god of the south wind. They are reflected in mythological legends as the eternal lovers of these gods. Their lives are spent anxiously waiting for one of them to appear and take them on a trip to the highest heavens.
The mythology of the Hellenic country is one of the greatest legacies in the history of humanity. Gods, nymphs, mermaids, cyclops, minotaurs, centaurs, harpies, sphinxes, among other fantastic creatures, feed the myths that have accompanied us for millennia. If you are interested in this curious field of human history, do not miss these phrases from Greek mythology, with the best of its teachings.