See more. The creature is depicted as serpentine, marine dragon with a coiling tail and wing-like fins. A Nereid was one of the water nymphs of Greek mythology. a moon of the planet Neptune. Individually, they represented various facets of the sea, such as salty brine, foam, sand, rocky shores, waves, currents, and the various skills possessed by seamen. Nereus, Posedion, and even Zeus tend to back the sea nymphs as well, so you can expect to be met with horrific storms and angry sea monsters if you dare to mess with a Nereid. proper noun 1 Greek Mythology Any of the sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus. Much splashing and frolicking in the waves and playing with dolphins. A Nereid (possibly Keto the Nereid of Sea Monsters) A Nereid is the singular form of the fifty or more sea nymphs born to Nereus and Doris (Okeanid). … A Nereid is the Singular form of the fifty or more sea nymph s Born to Nereus and Doris (Okeanid) some of the more prominent Members include Amphitrite, Galatea, and Thetis (Apollodorus), DORIS The Nereid of the sea's "bounty" or else the mixing of fresh water with the brine. The main representative of the class is Tethys. References ↑ Virgil: His life and times by Peter Levi, Duckworth, 1998 Nereid was discovered on 1 May 1949 by Gerard P. Kuiper on photographic plates taken with the 82-inch telescope at the McDonald Observatory.He proposed the name in the report of his discovery. Also, their feces is quite toxic. Water had many different deities associated with it, including the important gods Poseidon and Oceanus, the Nereids were perhaps at a lower level of importance, but were contemporary with the likes of the Oceanids, the Potamoi, and … Nereid are only obtainable following completion of a sidequest. Her sisters accompanied her to the wedding, all of them in mourning for her, and the bride herself cried behind her veil. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) For years, she and her husband ruled the kingdom of Aethiopia in high style, but when the queen’s vanity led her to boast that her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the Nereids, she brought the wrath of the gods down upon her unlucky kingdom. Origin: Greek mythology. Mosaic shrines were built to honor the beautiful sea nymphs. One of the daughters of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea. Greek Mythology One of the sea nymphs, the 50 daughters of Nereus. However, two Galateas are said to be two completely different characters in Greek mythology: one a nymph and the other a statue. nereid (plural nereids or nereides) 1. The ship approached a crop of dangerous rocks, but with Thetis steering them and her sisters protecting them, they made it safely through the rocks. A Nereid-nymph sails across the sea on the back of a Cetus (Sea-Monster). - nereid definition greek mythology - Campbell, Vol. They are abundant in more minor poetry as well. He had just arrived in Crete, along with six other boys and seven girls who were supposed to be sacrificed to the minotaur. A Triton and a Nereid | 54.467 | The Walters Art Museum. (zoology) A worm of the genus Nereis, having sharp retractable jaws and an annelidbody. The daughters of the ocean are friendly with all its creatures; more often than not, you will find them riding dolphins or cuddling with hippocamps. Origin: Greek mythology. Nereid, third largest known moon of Neptune and the second to be discovered. Their name comes from the fact that they live near Lake Stymphalia in Arcadia. If you do manage to rile one of these serene maidens, you will be in for a pitched battle. In addition to his palace, Nereus also shares his noble spirit with his daughters. The Nereid Amphitrite is one of the most famous of the sea nymphs in Greek mythology because she was the wife of Poseidon, the Olympian sea god. (Hesiod, Homer, Apollodorus, Hyginus), LAOMEDEIA The Nereid "leader of the folk." ACTAEON (Aktaion) A hunter who spied the goddess Artemis bathing and was transformed into a … A Nereid (possibly Keto the Nereid of Sea Monsters) A Nereid riding a sea bull A Nereid is the Singular form of the fifty or more sea nymph s Born to Nereus and Doris (Okeanid) some of the more prominent Members include Amphitrite, Galatea, and Thetis The Nereids were sea nymphs in Greek mythology, fifty in total, daughters of Nereus and Doris. The Nereids, which are considered to be nymphs that live in … He charged into their game and grabbed the beautiful Thetis. Like the nymphs of fresh water and land, Nereids are exquisitely beautiful maidens with rosy skin and long, flowing hair. Mid 19th century from modern Latin Nereidae, from the Greek name Nēreus (see Nereid). Instead of joining them on Olympus, he maintains his own magnificent palace in the Aegean Sea, where he is attended by his lovely daughters. The daughters of the sea play a role in some of ancient Greece’s most important pieces of literature, including The Iliad and The Argonauts and the Golden Fleece. Updated May 28, 2019 Nymphs (Greek plural nymphai) are mythological nature spirits who appear as beautiful young women. It is named after the numerous daughters, called Nereids, of the sea god Nereus in Greek mythology. A swarm of dolphins appeared around him and guided him under the waves and into the sparkling depths of the ocean. His power is ancient, even predating the rise of the Olympic gods, but he takes a subservient position to the other gods. Nereid is named after nereids, the in greekmythology. For example, Galateia conjures up sea-foam, while Kymo creates waves. The Nereids can also count on Poseidon, the God of the Ocean, as a strong ally. 2 : v. 825; Hygin. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Nereid definition: any of the 50 sea nymphs who were the daughters of the sea god Nereus | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Νηρηΐς Nereis) are sea nymphs (female spirits of sea waters), the 50 daughters of Nereus and Doris, sisters to their brother Nerites. Shortly before his legendary attack on the minotaur, Theseus was put to an even trickier test. The mother of all the Nereids is Doris, a sea nymph who was born to a pair of oceanic Titans. Nereid by KadriyaHilal on DeviantArt. Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "Nereid"): Thetis ((Greek mythology) … They were popular figures in Greek literature. :\"The goddesses gathered about her [Thetis], all who along the depth of the sea were Nereides (daughters of Nereus). The Nereids were the 50 sea nymph daughters of Nereus, the ancient sea god, and his wife, the Oceanid Doris. The Nereids are a group of fifty sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus and Doris, who are famous for their beauty and gentleness. Description: Man-eating birds who have bronze beaks and sharp metallic feathers, which they throw at their victims. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. great seas were booming on the Wandering Rocks . In Greek mythology, the Nereids (/ ˈnɪəriɪdz / NEER-ee-idz; Greek: Νηρηΐδες Nereides, sg. In Greek mythology the Nereids were fifty sea-nymph daughters of Nereus, the old man of the sea. Omissions? Galatea, in Greek mythology, a Nereid who was loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus. One of the most beautiful Nereids, Amphitrite, attracted more than a friendly gaze from Poseidon. When Nereids are referenced, they are poorly distinguished from other nymphs and fairy-like creatures. The style is Attic-Ionian and dates to ca. In honor of the ancient Greek mythology, one of the moons that orbits Neptune (a planet named for Neptunus or Posedion) is named Nereid. It was the farthest of Neptune's known moons for a long time (Halimede through Neso have since taken that honour), and is the third biggest, with a diameter of 340 km. A few individual Nereids were also famous by themselves. They lived with their father in the depths of the Aegean Sea. n. 1. Under the orders of the goddess Hera, the Nereids agreed to help the Argonauts on their sea voyage, even though they were still bitter enemies of Peleus, who forced Thetis to marry him. Astronomy. The sea Nymphs are the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris — and what a jolly lot they are. Their name comes from the fact that they live near Lake Stymphalia in Arcadia. Just as the monster crawled out of the ocean to claim his prize, Perseus came to the maiden’s rescue. Minos merely laughed at Theseus. The Nereids are the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris. In Greek mythology, Galatea was a Nereid nymph, one of the many daughters of the sea god Nereus. Famous is the Nereid Monument, a marble tomb from Xanthos (Lycia, Asia Minor), partially in the collection of the British Museum. After a glorious party, the Nereids sent him back with Minos’s ring and a crown full of precious gemstones to prove that he was, indeed, Poseidon’s son. At first, Amphitrite was frightened by the concept of marriage. Nereids were revered in Greek culture. ACHILLES (Akhilleus) The great hero of the Trojan War, a son of Peleus and the Nereid Thetis. Although she tried shape-shifting into various forms, Peleus still gripped her. After Cetus had reduced much of the kingdom to ruins, the desperate king asked an oracle how the beast could be stopped. A Nereid is a sea nymph in Greek mythology.. Nereid or Nereids may also refer to: . My interpretation of a Nereid : mythology. The Nereids of Greek Mythology The names of many of the major gods of Ancient Greece are still well known today, and most people will know the names of Zeus, Apollo and Hermes. (Greek mythology) One of 50 sea nymphs who were attendants upon Poseidon (Neptune), and were represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes in human form and sometimes with the tail of a fish. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Corrections? Queen Cassiopeia was famous for her beauty and for her vanity. One of the better known Nereids was Thetis, who was the mother of the hero Achilles. In Greek mythology, the Nereids (/ˈnɪəriɪdz/ NEER-ee-idz; Greek: Νηρηΐδες Nereides, sg. The king received a horrible answer: he must sacrifice his innocent daughter, Andromeda, to the monster. Thanks for visiting The Crossword Solver. Nereid is a kind of cave worms that has bad eyes. The Nereids Fountain, by Lola Mora, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nereids were revered in Greek culture. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece? Then, he took a golden ring from his finger and flung it into the ocean, telling Theseus to retrieve it, if he really was the son of Poseidon. The Nereids were depicted as young girls, inhabiting any water, salt or fresh, and as benign toward humanity. Greek mythology - the mythology of the ancient Greeks. Minos, the king of Crete, developed a new idea when he noticed the beauty of one of these young girls; he decided he would take her to his own bed chamber, instead of sending her into the deadly labyrinth, where the minotaur was waiting. 56 ff (trans. 2. Like many of the other gods and demi-gods of Greek culture, the Nereids were handed down to the Romans, who were equally fascinated by them. They’re sacred to the god of war, Ares. Nereid is named after nereids, the in greekmythology. Without hesitation, Theseus leapt into the ocean. Most people tend to think of Galatea as a statue that was brought to life by the goddess Aphrodite. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). They are minor seagoddessesand matrons of both sailors and fishermen. How Nereid Got its Name. The Nereid (ネレイド, Nereid?) Galatea, however, loved the youth Acis. Images of them were pressed into silver and gold coins, even carved onto the faces of gemstones for elite ladies to wear as jewelry. As nouns the difference between nereid and siren is that nereid is (greek mythology) one of 50 sea nymphs who were attendants upon poseidon (neptune), and were represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes in human form and sometimes with the tail of a fish while siren is (original sense ) (greek mythology) one of a group of nymphs who lured mariners to their death on the rocks. Despite hating her husband, Thetis loved the son that was born to them, Achilles. This moon was one of several discovered by Voyager 2 in 1989. Their legendary beauty earned them a place in the finest Greek artwork, and in coastal cities, they were even worshipped as deities. 2. The Nereid are composed of humanoid beings that bear similarities to women. the nereid galatea in greek mythology Galatea in Greek Mythology Galatea is a name closely associated with Greek mythology, and although most people think of Galatea being the statue brought to life by Aphrodite, the name of Galatea, in antiquity was one solely attributed to a Nereid nymph. It is named after the Nereids, sea-nymphs of Greek mythology and attendants of the god Neptune. References ↑ Virgil: His life and times by Peter Levi, Duckworth, 1998 For Glauke was there, Kymodoke and Thaleia (Bloom), Nesaie and Speio and Thoe, and ox-eyed Halia; Kymothoe was there, Aktaia and Limnoreia (Sea-Marsh), Melite and Iaira, Amphithoe (She who Flows Around) and Agaue, Doto and Proto, Dynamene an… The most well-known of them are Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon, and Thetis, wife of Peleus. Nereid is so far from Neptune that it requires 360 Earth days to make one orbit. Domain category: Greek mythology (the mythology of the ancient Greeks). A Nereid (possibly Keto the Nereid of Sea Monsters) A Nereid riding a sea bull. Nereus was the eldest son of Gaia (the Earth) and of her son, Pontus (the Sea). This is the Greek word for changing shape, usually into plants or animals, as in the novel by Kafka and the book of mythology by Ovid. They were depicted in motion and with billowing, transparent clothes. The pantheon of Greek deities though, included thousands of minor gods and goddesses, many … Most people tend to think of Galatea as a statue that was brought to life by the goddess Aphrodite.. (For the story of his birth see Thetis.). Nereid definition: any of the 50 sea nymphs who were the daughters of the sea god Nereus | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Νηρηΐς Nereis) are sea nymphs (female spirits of sea waters), the 50 daughters of Nereus and Doris, sisters to their brother Nerites. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Discovery and naming. Nereid by KadriyaHilal on DeviantArt. She appeared only to her husband, telling him to get the ship ready for a perilous journey the next day. (sometimes lowercase)Classical Mythology. In Greek mythology, Galatea was a Nereid nymph, one of the many daughters of the sea god Nereus. The fifty Nereids and their brother Nerites are the children of Nereus and Doris. They are particularly associated with the Aegean Sea, where they dwelt with their father in the de… They helped sailors on their voyages when they faced fierce storms. any of the 50 daughters of Nereus; a sea nymph. He is famous for his honesty and benevolence and, no doubt, the gentle Nereids have inherited their temper from him. They are often divided into various broad subgroups, such as the Meliae (nymphs of ash trees), the Naiads (nymphs of rivers and streams), the Nereids (nymphs of calm seas), and the Oreads (nymphs of mountains). At the top is a small temple surrounded by pillars between which Nereides stood. In Greek mythology, the Nereids are Haliad nymphsand therefore minor sea goddesses. However, two Galateas are said to be two completely different characters in Greek mythology: one a nymph and the other a statue. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Nereids were the daughters of Nereus and were to be found in the retinue of Poseidon. ... NEREIDS - Greek Mythology Link. She attempted to bless him with immortality, told him about a prophecy which said he would be greater than his father, hid him during the first half of the Trojan war, and gave him special armor to fight his arch enemy, Hector. Names of Nereids in Greek Mythology: Names of Nereids : Nereids in Greek Mythology and Legends: Actaea: The myth of Actaea: She was the Nereid of the sea shore: Amathia: The myth of the Nereid Amathia: She was renown for being helpful towards sailors fighting perilous storms: Amphitrite American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,... Nereid - definition of Nereid by The Free Dictionary. They were goddesses of the sea's rich bounty and protectors of sailors and fishermen, coming to the aid of those in distress. They were married, and Amphitrite lived a life of splendor as Queen of the Sea. It is named after the Nereids, sea-nymphs of Greek mythology and attendants of the god Neptune. This is by no means exhaustive, but many of the others are either absurdly long or complicated for English-speakers unused to Greek names, or now used as genus names for bivalves or algae. Nymphs of the Sea. The Nereid Galatea. 1 Description 2 Appearance 3 Percy Jackson and the Olympians 3.1 The Lightning Thief 4 Difference Between the Naiads 5 Gallery 6 Trivia 7 See Also In Greek mythology, the Nereids are Haliad nymphs and therefore minor sea goddesses. No two Nereids look exactly the same, but they can always be identified because they wear tokens of their oceanic home: a comb of red coral holding back their curls or a starfish clinging to their robes.