Galaxy/The codex of Liriope

In Greek mythology, Liriope (or Leiriope) is a Boeotian naiad of Thespiae, mother of Narcissus by the river-god Cephissus. Ovid's Metamorphoses is the principal narrative: she brings the infant to Tiresias, who prophesies that Narcissus will live long only if he never knows himself. Distinct from other nymphs and from the plant name liriope in modern botany.

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Liriope (mythology)" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.Mother of Narcissus

Liriope is placed among the Boeotian or Phocian river-nymphs; Cephissus forces her and she bears Narcissus. In Ovid she consults the blind seer Tiresias about the child's fate and hears the famous riddle-prophecy: he will live to old age if he does not know himself — a warning fulfilled when Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection.

She is sometimes identified with Lilaia, the naiad of the Cephisus springs. The atlas id liriope-nymph keeps this Thespian mother of Narcissus distinct from unrelated later uses of the name.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameLiriopē (Λιριόπη)
Typenymph
Domainsnaiad of the Cephisus · mother of Narcissus · Thespiae
Cult centersThespiae (Boeotia) · Cephissus springs (associated)
EtymologyAncient Greek Λιριόπη / Λειριόπη, often explained as "face of the narcissus" from leirion (narcissus/daffodil) and ops (face).
READ MOREWikipedia