SYRINX (nymph transformed into reeds)
Divine power · nymph transformed into hollow water reeds in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Ladon
- Haunts and cult places
- Ladon
- In the sources
- 1 ancient passage
Syrinx was a Naiad nymph who lived among the Hamadryads in Arcadia.1 Her clothing resembled Artemis's, causing some to mistake her for Leto's daughter, though she carried a bow made of cornel wood unlike Artemis's golden one.1 She resided in the cold mountains of Arcadia near Nonacris and dedicated herself to the Ortygian Goddess while maintaining her virginity.1
Pan spotted her returning from the hill of Lycæus, and she fled through pathless areas to avoid his romantic advances.1 She had repeatedly escaped the pursuit of Satyrs and other gods before this encounter.1 Her escape was blocked when she reached the sandy stream of Ladon, where she prayed to her watery sisters to change her form.1
She was transformed into marsh reeds before Pan could catch her, and he mistakenly grabbed reeds instead of her body during his pursuit.1 Pan declared he would keep this new mode of conversation with her forever.1 Winds moving through her reed form created a murmuring, complaining sound, and unequal reeds joined with wax retained her name as a musical instrument.1
The codex facts behind this entry
Syrinx was a Naiad nymph living among the Hamadryads in Arcadia. Ovid Met. 1.689-712
Appearance
Her clothing resembled Artemis's, causing some to mistake her for Leto's daughter. Ovid Met. 1.689-712
In the myths
She repeatedly escaped the pursuit of Satyrs and other gods. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 She prayed to her watery sisters to change her form. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 Pan spotted her returning from the hill of Lycæus. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 She fled through pathless areas to avoid Pan's romantic advances. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 Pan mistakenly grabbed reeds instead of her body during his pursuit. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 Pan declared he would keep this new mode of conversation with her forever. Ovid Met. 1.689-712
Worship
She dedicated herself to the Ortygian Goddess while maintaining her virginity. Ovid Met. 1.689-712
Fate
She was transformed into marsh reeds before Pan could catch her. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 Winds moving through her reed form created a murmuring, complaining sound. Ovid Met. 1.689-712 Unequal reeds joined with wax retained her name as a musical instrument. Ovid Met. 1.689-712
