The Naiads were specifically the nymphs of fresh water. Often they had little control over anything except their own special place. The powers of the nymphs were more limited, though, than those of the major gods. While not always immortal, they generally lived far longer than humans.

Any tree, stream, or cave could be the home of a nymph.Īs goddesses, most nymphs had some supernatural abilities. They were typically shy, however, so they were rarely seen by mortal humans.Īlmost everything in the landscape could have a living goddess attached to it. In the Greek view of the world nymphs could be found almost everywhere. They represented aspects of the natural world like bodies of water, islands, trees, or mountains. The nymphs were minor goddesses who were almost always tied to a specific place or feature of the landscape. The Naiads were one of the many types of nymphs in the mythology of Greece. Keep reading to learn about what made the Naiads so special among the Greek goddesses. They were still nature spirits, however, and could be both elusive and dangerous. The Naiads were one class of nymphs who were associated with freshwater springs, streams, and wells.īecause they controlled drinking water, Naiads were more closely associated with human culture than their more wild cousins. The beautiful nature goddesses were rarely seen, but their presence could be felt anywhere outside the city. Nymphs existed everywhere in the Greek countryside.

Labyrinth Heart by Naiad