Was narcissuss a beautiful wood nymph?

Answer 1

No, Narcissus was a young adult, possibly about 16-18, who was said to have been the most beautiful/handsome youth in ancient Greece.

The story goes that Narcissus decided nobody was worthy of him and rejected everyone. Meanwhile, Hera had put a spell on a beautiful wood Nymph named Echo because she had distracted her while Zeus was out with another woman (this reason may vary).

Hera cursed her, stopping her from speaking but forcing her to repeat the last words that anybody said to her. She later came across Narcissus and instantly fell in love, but when she spoke to him, she could only use his words.

Not impressed by the Nymph, Narcissus tried to make her go away, but in doing so stated that: "Even if you were Aphrodite herself I wouldn't let you come near me." Eventually, the Nymph fled to a cave, realising that he couldn't love her, and whenever you're in a cave, you will still hear her repeat everything you say.

However, Aphrodite was the god of love and Narcissus had made himself love's enemy. She cursed Narcissus, forcing him to fall in love with himself. When he came to a pool to drink, he saw his reflection in the water and fell in love. Several days later, the frustration of not being able to touch his reflection became too much and he killed himself.

And now, to this day, you will still see Narcissus flowers sprouting around the banks of pool and streams. This myth is where we get the word 'narcissistic', which is the word for extreme self-love.