A nymph is a minor female deity or spirit who inhabited the mountains, forests, waters and seas. Like the gods, some nymphs were literally forces of nature. They were indistinguishable from the element of nature. They were many types of nymphs. There were nymphs of the water, such as the springs and lakes. There were nymphs of the sea, of the mountains and there were dryads, hamadryads which were the nymphs of the forest.


The poets and writers often described the nymphs of great beauty. Because of their beauty, they often received unwanted attentions from gods and mortals. They often tried to preserve their virginity, like the goddess they followed, but often they are powerless to resist mighty gods, like Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo or Hermes. Some were willing, but in many cases, they were raped. 

Often to escape from the unwanted advances, even from the powerful gods, they were transformed into springs, trees, or flowers. 

Most nymphs have at least one divine parent, while only a few nymphs have mortal father and mother. Even more important is that many of the nymphs have become mothers of heroes and gods. 

The term “NYMPH” had later meant young beautiful woman or seductress. Even worse was the term “NYMPHOMANIA” which was used to describe uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire in women, a woman who was insatiable. 

Nymphs were revered as the spirits of the forest, they were represented as lonely, and eternally youthful beautiful creatures.