A nymph (Ancient Greek: νύμφη, romanized: nýmphē; Attic Greek: [nýmpʰɛː]; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, landform, or tree, and are usually depicted as maidens. Because of their association with springs, they were often seen as having healing properties;[1] other divine powers of the nymphs included divination and shapeshifting.[2] Nymphs, like other goddesses, were immortal except for the Hamadryads, whose lives were bound to a specific tree.[3]
Nymphs are divided into various broad subgroups based on their habitat,[4] such as the Meliae (ash tree nymphs), the Dryads (oak tree nymphs), the Alseids (grove nymphs), the Naiads or Hydriads (spring nymphs), the Nereids (sea nymphs), the Oceanids (ocean nymphs), the Oreads (mountain nymphs), and the Epimeliads (apple tree and flock nymphs). Other nymphs included the Hesperides (evening nymphs), the Hyades (rain nymphs), and the Pleiades (companions of Artemis).
Nymphs featured in classic works of art, literature, and mythology. They are often attendants of goddesses and frequently occur in myths with a love motif, being the lovers of heroes and other deities.[4] Desirable and promiscuous, nymphs can rarely be fully domesticated, being often aggressive to their mortal affairs.[5][3] Since the Middle Ages, nymphs have been sometimes popularly associated or even confused with fairies.
