Dryad_McAllister

= ** Dryad ** =

by Mary McAllister (http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/dryads.html)
 * Origins:** Dryads were Nymphs who dwelled in trees- specifically oak trees, but in Greek mythology they came to be associated with other species of trees as well. Their spirits were part of the trees. They came into existence when their tree did, and they died when their tree died.


 * Appearance:**

A Dryad would take the form of a beautiful young woman, with clothing that made her look tree-like in appearance. Since they were spirits of trees, they are often depicted as clothed in green, with various aspects of trees and leaves incorporated into their attire.


 * Mythological Stories:**

The god Pan was in love with a Dryad named Pitys. However, she did not love him in return, and in order to escape from him she turned into a fir tree, and remained that way forever. (http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphePitys.html)

Zeus and Hera were getting married and Khelone, an Oreiad Nymph, was among the ones invited to the festevities. She refused to come, which infuriated the gods. They sent Hermes to her home, and when he found her he transformed her into a tortoise as punishment. (http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NympheKhelone.html)

The goddess Hera was aggravated by the incessant chatter of the Oreiad Nymph, Ekho. As punishment for this annoyance, Hera cursed Ekho, causing her only to be able to speak by echoing what was last said. She was in love with Narcissus, but since he was so self absorbed and loved only himself, he rejected her. She then faded away, and only her voice is left behind and can still be heard. ([])

Dryads are representational of nature. They are spirits of trees and forests, and to chop down a tree is to murder a Dryad. They reflect the Greeks animistic society and the belief that everything has a spirit. Nature was revered through the worship of Dryads, seen as the souls of the trees, by the Greeks. ([])
 * Importance:**


 * Modern References:**

In //The Chronicles of Narnia// series, Dryads can be found all throughout Narnia.