The ancient Greeks believed in many deities and other mysterious characters, which is told to us by history. Before they formed a certain pantheon of gods, they worshiped the creatures, according to their assumption, who lived in forests, waters and mountains. In particular, the nymph is, according to the Greeks, all that personifies the moving and growing in nature and giving life to plants and animals, whether it be a river, sea, grove or tree. The image of these creatures is very romantic and gentle. Meet these mysterious inhabitants of the earth.
Who are they?
In general, a nymph is the keeper of a particular natural object. So, for example, mollusks are the spirits of springs and streams, as well as the patroness of everything that lives in the water. In another way, the keeper of the waters was called the "mermaid nymph." Dryads are their arboreal representatives who were born and died with a tree. Each cluster of trees had its own forest nymph. Their custodians had islands, valleys and mountains.
Where do they live?
Beautiful nymphs, according to the ancient Greeks, live in dark caves, where streams begin their journey. The places of their appearance were sacred to people; shrines were erected near them, where sacrifices were made to these creatures. In addition, these sources had useful, healing qualities, which is why the nymphs were credited with the role of companions of the god Asclepius, who was endowed with the ability to treat people.
What are they remarkable for?
The nymph is a great diviner. So people believed in antiquity. Their cloisters, namely rivers and streams, were favorite places for fortune telling. Those who threw signs into the rough water stream, and it was believed that the advice indicated on that piece of wood that would not sink or be thrown out of the water was a sign from the nymphs. In addition, in ancient times there was a custom according to which a person accused of a certain crime was thrown into the river and observed further events. If the test subject swam out, then he was innocent, and the nymphs acquitted him. If a man drowned, this meant that the river goddesses performed their fair judgment on them. In addition, given that the nymph is the patroness of nature, she was responsible for the fertility of her territory, whether it be a field, meadow or tree.
Are they goddesses?
Nymphs belong to the spirits of nature. They, unlike the gods, are mortal. When a tree dies or a stream dries, a nymph dies. They are fragile and tender, like their mother nature. Therefore, ancient people believed that a great punishment awaits the one who defiles the river or pollutes the forest, cuts down the tree.
Are their names known?
Initially, the nymphs had no names. They were considered beautiful impersonal spirits. But over time, some of them stood out, who were given names, and they began to be associated with beautiful virgins. In addition, they were closely associated with the gods, and then even humanized. Sometimes the names of nymphs were taken from the names of rivers and sources, whose patrons they were. The most famous of them are Syringa, Daphne, Callipso and Echo. You can learn more about them from the myths of ancient Hellas.