Dryads – The Mystical Nymphs of the Woods

The Dryads – Key Facts

Name and Etymology

The name Dryad is directly derived from the word δρῦς (drys), which means “oak tree”. This etymology demonstrates how the Dryads were initially linked to oak trees in particular, before expanding to include all spirits of trees, woods, groves, and forests. The names of the different types of Dryads are also etymologically related to what they protected. 

There are several types of Dryads, including:

• Hamadryads: The Hamadryads share a similar etymology with the Dryads, since they both derive from “drys”; however, Hamadryads also feature an additional element – the Greek prefix ἅμα (hama) which means “simultaneously”. The name Hamadryads refers to the Nymphs’ birth, life, and death alongside the tree to which they were linked.
• Daphnae: The name Daphnae is derived from the Greek word δάφνη, “laurel”. They were the guardians of the laurel trees.
• Epimelides / Meliads: The Epimelides take their name from the word Ἐπιμηλιάς, which links them to both “sheep” and “apples”. They were the nymphs of apple and fruit trees, as well as the protectresses of sheep, and guardians of the tree that held the Golden Fleece.
• Meliae: The name Meliae links the nymphs to μελίαι, the ash trees.

Origin of the Dryads

The Dryads were not widely revered in Ancient Greek religion, so there are fewer sources describing their origins and characteristics. For example, the name Hamadryads appears for the first time in Apollonius’ Argonautica, written in the 3rd century BC.

However, the concept of nymphs who live and die alongside the trees they protect can be traced back to the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, which was most likely written in the seventh century BC. 

The ancestry of the Dryads and Hamadryads is determined by various sources, which mention a variety of possible parents for each. Some of the listed parents of these Nymphs are:

• They were born independently, alongside the trees they protected.
• Silenus (according to Propertius)
• Ouros (according to Athenaeus)
• Oxylus and Hamadryas (according to Athenaeus)

On the other hand, other types of Dryads, such as the Meliae, had slightly different parentage. They were thought to have been born from the drops of blood and semen that fell on Gaia from Uranus after Cronus castrated him. When Hesiod mentioned this ancestry, he could have meant all tree nymphs, not just Meliae.

Names of the Dryads

Among the various types of Dryads, we can find some Nymphs who were more famous, since they have a more prominent role in various myths. Let’s go over the most famous Dryads.

Dryads

Erato: Erato (not to be confused with the Muse Erato) was a dryad, as well as a prophetess and priestess of the god Pan. She was married to the mythical hunter Arcas, son of Zeus and nymph Callisto.

Eurydice: Eurydice, the wife of bard Orpheus, was quite possibly a Dryad or an Auloniad. She is most famous through the myth of Orpheus who tried to bring her back from Hades after her unfortunate passing but failed.

Tithorea: Tithorea was the dryad of Mount Parnassus who gave her name to the town of Tithorea.

Hamadryads

Almost all the Hamadryads bore the names of the trees they dwelled in. It is believed that the Hamadryad died together with her tree, thus the gods and the dryads would punish any mortal that harmed the trees.

The Eight Hamadryads

According to Athenaeus’ opus Deipnosophistae, there were eight hamadryads:

• Aigeiros: the nymph of the black poplar tree.
• Ampelos: the nymph of the wild grapevines.
• Balanis: the nymph of the oak or acorn tree.
• Carya: the nymph of the walnut, chestnut, or hazelnut tree.
• Crania: the nymph of the cornel or cherry tree.
• Morea: the nymph of the mulberry tree.
• Ptelea: the nymph of the elm tree.
• Syce: the nymph of the fig tree.

Other Hamadryads

• Atlanteia: consort of King Danaus and perhaps the mother of some of the Danaides.
• Phoebe: consort of King Danaus and perhaps the mother of some of the Danaides.
• Chrysopeleia: one of the possible consorts of Arcas.
• Dryope: the daughter of Dryops, king of Oeta, or king Eurytus. She was the consort of Apollo and mother of Amphissus.
• Heliades: daughters of Helios and Clymene, sisters of Phaethon.

Epimeliads

Hesperides: the most well-known Epimeliads are the Hesperides, guardians of the garden that produces golden apples, known from the eleventh labor of Heracles.

Myths about the Dryads

Saviors of the Tree Nymphs

Greek mythology is rife with stories of mortals assisting tree nymphs in need. One popular story revolves around Arcas, the founder of the Arcadians in central Greece. In this story, Chrysopoleia, a hamadryad, was in danger because her tree was under threat from a nearby river flood. While hunting in the area, Arcas noticed the rising water and took immediate action. He diverted the river, saving Chrysopoleia and her valuable tree. Chrysopoleia later married Arcas and had two sons, Elatus and Apheidas, as a token of gratitude.

In another version of the story, the nymph saved by Arcas is a dryad named Erato. Erato was a priestess of Pan at his temple in Megalopolis, and she was well-known for her prophetic abilities. In this retelling, she and Arcas have three children: Elatus, Apheidas, and Azan.

Vengeful Nymphs of the Woods

Several myths emphasize the close relationship between specific nymphs, such as the Dryads and Hamadryads, and their trees. One of the most well-known stories is about King Erysichthon of Thessaly. Erysichthon once entered a sacred forest and cut down a tree that Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, cherished. This tree was also home to Dryad nymphs. Devastated by the loss of their home, the nymphs prayed to Demeter for justice against Erysichthon.

In response to their prayers, Demeter punished Erysichthon with an insatiable appetite. Regardless of how much he ate, he was never satisfied. This extreme hunger eventually drove him to desperation, and he consumed himself. 

On the other hand, there is another myth about a mortal named Paraebius. His father felled a nymph’s tree, which enraged her but did not kill her. In retaliation, she pronounced a curse on the family. However, Paraebius was able to break the curse by erecting an altar to honor the nymph.

Meliae

The “earth-born” Meliae were tree nymphs descended from Gaia and Uranus. Hesiod considers them the ancestors of the Bronze Age people.

The Meliae also played a significant role in Zeus’ life. According to the poet Callimachus, who wrote in the third century BC, these nymphs looked after the young Zeus in Crete’s Dikti mountains. They fed him milk from the goat Amalthea and honey. Callimachus also mentions the Theban nymph Melia, who was influenced by Apollo and became the mother of Tenerus and Ismenus. Interestingly, Melia is also referred to as an Oceanid, one of Oceanus and Tethys’ many daughters. Apollodorus, the mythographer, adds that Pholus, a centaur, was Silenus’ son and one of the Melia.

Heliades

Phaëthon, the brother of the Heliades, died tragically when he attempted to drive his father Helios’ chariot across the sky. He struggled to control the powerful horses and eventually fell to his death. In many versions of the story, Zeus intervened by striking the chariot with a thunderbolt, preventing the Earth from being set on fire. The Heliades mourned for four months after losing their brother, and the gods turned them into poplar trees. 

Hyginus attributed the Heliades’ transformation into poplar trees to their actions prior to Phaëthon’s death. They had hitched the chariot to the horses without first seeking permission from their father, Helios. This act of defiance resulted in their unfortunate fate, forever linking them to the forest as trees that weep amber.

Depictions, Characteristics, and Symbols

Dryads are commonly depicted as beautiful young women dressed in colorful dresses that resemble natural colors or completely naked. They have long, wavy hair in ginger or brown, whereas Epimeliads have white hair that looks like wool. They are sometimes decorated with leaves or flowers to symbolize their connection to nature.

The trees or plants that the Dryads are associated with serve as their symbols. Dryads are known for their shy but caring personality. They are usually hesitant to interact with humans unless they feel a respectful connection, but they have good relations with the goddess Artemis. They are generally friendly, but if harmed, they can become vengeful.

The Dryads in the Arts

The Dryads have long been a source of inspiration for artists. From ancient pottery to pop culture, the Dryads have been a popular artistic theme for painters, sculptors, and writers. 

Some of the most notable works of art depicting one or more of the Dryads include: 

The Dryads have also been widely celebrated in literature. Classic texts like Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Hesiod’s Theogony, and Apollonius of Rhodes’ Argonautica focus on the stories of these nymphs and their interactions with mortals and gods.

Frequently Asked Questions