Nymphs in Greek mythology are nature spirits associated with various natural features such as forests, rivers, mountains, and seas. They are often depicted as beautiful young maidens and are considered minor deities. Here is a list of some of the main types of nymphs and notable individual nymphs:
Nymphs Associated with Earth Elements
| Type of Nymph | Description | Notable Individual Nymphs | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naiads | Freshwater nymphs (rivers, streams, springs, fountains) | Arethusa | Transformed into a freshwater spring |
| Dryads (Hamadryads) | Tree nymphs (oak trees and all trees) | Daphne | Transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo |
| Oreads | Mountain nymphs | Echo | Cursed by Hera to only repeat others’ words; fell in love with Narcissus |
| Meliads | Nymphs of ash trees | ||
| Crinaeae | Nymphs of fountains | ||
| Limnades (Limnatiades) | Nymphs of lakes | ||
| Epimeliads | Nymphs of meadows | ||
| Syrinx | Transformed into reeds to escape Pan | ||
| Eurydice | Dryad, wife of Orpheus, died from a snake bite and pursued by Orpheus into the underworld |
Nymphs Associated with Cosmology:
| Type of Nymph | Description | Notable Individual Nymphs | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanids | Sea nymphs (daughters of Oceanus and Tethys) | Calypso | Detained Odysseus on her island, Ogygia |
| Metis | Titaness of wisdom, mother of Athena | ||
| Dione | Titaness, sometimes considered the mother of Aphrodite | ||
| Styx | Personification of the river Styx, associated with oaths | ||
| Nereids | Sea nymphs (daughters of Nereus and Doris) | Thetis | Mother of Achilles |
| Amphitrite | Wife of Poseidon, queen of the sea | ||
| Galatea | Loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus | ||
| Hesperides | Nymphs of the evening and golden sunsets | Aegle | One of the Hesperides, associated with the golden apples |
| Erytheia | One of the Hesperides | ||
| Hesperia | One of the Hesperides | ||
| Arethusa | One of the Hesperides | ||
| Lampads | Underworld nymphs, companions of Hecate | ||
| Hyades | Nymphs associated with the constellation Hyades, bringers of rain | ||
| Pleiades | Nymphs associated with the star cluster Pleiades | Maia | Eldest of the Pleiades, mother of Hermes |
| Electra | Mother of Dardanus and Iasion | ||
| Taygete | Mother of Lacedaemon | ||
| Alcyone | Wife of Ceyx, turned into a kingfisher | ||
| Celaeno | Mother of Lycus and Nycteus | ||
| Sterope (Asterope) | Wife of Oenomaus | ||
| Merope | Wife of Sisyphus | ||
| Pleione | Mother of the Pleiades and Hyas | ||
| Astral Nymphs | Nymphs associated with stars and celestial bodies | ||
| Muses | Goddesses of inspiration for literature, science, and the arts | Urania | Muse of astronomy |
This table includes the major types of cosmological nymphs and several notable individuals, along with brief descriptions.
