Nymphs

INTRODUCTION & HISTORY
The word nymph is rooted in the term nymphomaniac, a young, hypersexual female. A nymph is broadly defined as simply a nubile female. The male equivalent is a Satyr. In Ancient Greek myth, nymnphs were semi-divine young women who existed somewhere between gods and mortals. They dwelled in ponds and by water bodies like rivers and lakes. Nymphs are associated with nature and the wild. They can sometimes be envisioned like nature spirits, similar to faeries and elves.Nynmphs were particularly associated with superior gods like Dionysus, whose cult of Bacchae, they were priestesses of. They were also associated with Artemis, the huntress goddess, Pan and Apollo.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NYMPHS
Nymphs are closely related to sirens, mermaids and succubi, in that they are often portrayed as seductresses. They are described as beautiful, and yet they represent a kind of danger. Some have pointed out that nymphs tend to represent nature, because nature is alluring and unconquered by men, and is therefore a metaphor for female sexuality. Like Mermaids and Sirens, the upper bodies of nymphs were female in appearance, but the lower halves were animal-like. Often they had hooves instead of legs. They nymphs were not as powerful as the superior gods, but they moved swiftly and inauspiciously. They were neither invincible or immortal, but they maintained their youth and beauty until death.

THE NYMPHS
 The Dryads (forests)-- preside over forests anbd groves and her destiny is tied to a single tree that she watches. If the tree dies, she dies with it, and it the tree or nymph is killed by a human, the gods will punish the person.

 The Nereids (Mediterranean) The Nereids are the 50 daughters of Nereus and Doris. They dwell in the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike many other sea creatures, the Nereids are helpful to sailors.

 The Naiads (springs)-- They were bound my the spring. If the spring dried up, so would their lives. naiads are sometimes dangerous. In the story, Hylas of Argos, the title character was taken by Naiads who were fascinated by his beauties. Naiads are known to exhibit jealous tendencies, also.

Oceanids (sea)-- They were the three thousand daughters of Titans,Oceanus and Tethys. They were also consorts of Poseidon and patronesses of various rivers, lakes and springs. They are other nymphs such as the Oreads (mountain) and the Napaea (valley) mentioned. The Muses were also thought of as nymphs.

NYMPHS IN POPULAR CULTURE
The term nymph is associated with a psychological disorder now called hypersexuality. The term "nymphomaniac" is used colloqually. In literature, such as Lolita by Vladimir Nobokov, the title character Lolita is classified as a nymphet (young nymph) by Humbert Humbert.