The Dryads

February 4th, 2007

Dryads by Garden Beguiled

From Greek mythology come the Dryads – female nymphs or tree spirits. Like all nymphs, Dryads lead supernaturally long lives and are tied to a particular tree or locale. Hamadryads are specifically linked to one tree only, and when that tree dies they do too. The word Dryad comes from the Greek drys, meaning oak, so Dryads were originally oak tree nymphs but the name has now come to mean any tree nymph. The Dryads will punish any who harm their beloved trees, but from time to time they would also marry a mortal. Many Dryads also began their lives as mortals but became Dryads at the will of one of the Greek Gods or Goddesses (often to escape the amorous attentions of another God!).

Art by Debra of Garden Beguiled


4 Responses to “The Dryads”

  1. catherine vickers on April 23, 2010 7:43 pm

    I abosoulutly love nymphs i have a few of them now lie!!! they are amazing creatures.
    i wish people wouldnt cut them done when they are formed in the trees or flowers. It makes me cry thinking about it

  2. Isabellam on October 29, 2010 10:58 pm

    Nymphy’s should not be cut down, they are beautiful women who need to help pretect nature.

  3. Celestial Elf on September 16, 2011 7:34 pm

    Great post, I thought that you might like my
    Taliesin’s Battle Of The Trees machinima film,
    which also features some Dryads among the cast of actors
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0gduIjXOU4
    Bright Blessings By Stone and Star,
    Celestial Elf ~

  4. tangle on September 16, 2011 7:53 pm

    There are some splendid Dryads amongst that lot, well done!

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