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In Greek mythology, the Naiads (from the Greek νάειν, "to flow," and νἃμα, "running water") were a type of nymph who presided over fountains, wells, marshes, springs, rivers, streams, brooks, ponds and lakes. They were associated with fresh water more than the Oceanids, though there was some overlap. The Nereids, on the other hand, specifically represented the Mediterranean Sea.If a Naiad's body of water dried, she died.
They were often the object of local cults, worshipped as fertility goddesses. Their waters were sometimes thought to have magical medical or prophetic powers.
The Naiads were also known to exhibit extreme jealous tendencies. One story of Naiad jealousy was that of a shepherd named Daphnis who was the lover of Nomia, Daphnis had on several occasions been unfaithful to Nomia and as revenge she permanently blinded him.
The Naiads were either daughters of Zeus or various Oceanids.
1 Types of Naiads
- Crinaeae (fountains)
- Limnades or Limnatides (lakes)
- Pegaeae (springs)
- Potameides (rivers)
- Eleionomae (marshes)
2 Individual Naiads
- Aegle
- Castalia
- CreusaIn Greek mythology, four people had the name Creusa . According to Pindar's 9th Pythian Ode, Creusa was a naiad and daughter of Gaia who bore Hypseus, King of the Lapiths to the river god Peneus. Hypseus had one daughter, Cyrene. When a lion attacked her
- LilaeaIn Greek mythology, Lilaea was a Naiad who lived in the Cephissus River. The town of Lilaea in Phocis was named for her.
- MeliteIn Greek mythology, Melite was a Naiad who lived in the Aegaeus River in Corcyra. With Heracles, she was the mother of Hyllus.
- Nomia
- PeriboeaIn Greek mythology, five people shared the name Periboea . Periboea was the daughter of King Cychreus of Salamis or Alcathous and wife of Telamon. Cychreus eventually gave his kingdom to Telamon and Periboea gave birth to Ajax. With Poseidon, Periboea was
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