Cymo
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "wave," the simplest personification of the sea's fundamental motion
The Myth of Cymo
Cymo was one of Hesiod's fifty Nereids, and her name is simply kyma — wave. She was the most direct personification of the sea's essential characteristic: its constant motion, the endless rolling of waves that defined the ocean. While Cymothoe was the "swift wave" and Cymatolege the "wave stiller," Cymo was the wave itself, unmodified and eternal. The Greeks had many words for different types of waves, from gentle swells to crashing breakers, and Cymo encompassed them all. She appears in various ancient catalogues and artistic depictions of the Nereid retinue. Her simplicity of name suggests she may represent one of the oldest conceived aspects of the sea.
Parents
Nereus and Doris
Symbols
Fun Fact
Three Nereids share the root kyma (wave) — Cymo, Cymothoe, and Cymatolege — showing how central waves were to Greek sea-thought
Explore Further
Cymatolege
🌿 nymphCalming waves, stilling storms
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "wave stiller," personifying the blessed calming of stormy seas
Cymothoe
🌿 nymphWaves, sea currents
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "swift as the waves," one of the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris
Dynamene
🌿 nymphSea power, strength of waves
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "she who has power," personifying the mighty force of ocean waves
Agaue
🌿 nymphSplendour, nobility of the sea
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "the illustrious one," representing the noble majesty of the ocean
Proto
🌿 nymphPrimacy, first things, the primal sea
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "the first," possibly the eldest or most prominent of the Nereids
Halie
🌿 nymphSea, salt water, brine
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "of the sea," one of the most simply named daughters of Nereus
Maera
🌿 nymphSparkle, shimmering light on water
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "the sparkling one," associated with the glittering play of light on the sea
Thoe
🌿 nymphSpeed, swift currents
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "the swift one," personifying the rapid movement of ocean currents
Ianeira
🌿 nymphEnchantment, captivating charm
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "she who enchants men," personifying the alluring fascination of the sea
Panope
🌿 nymphthe sea, visibility
A Nereid whose name means "all-seeing," invoked by sailors for clear views across open water.
Amatheia
🌿 nymphSandy shores, soft sea beds
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "of the sand," associated with sandy beaches and the soft sea floor
Themisto
🌿 nymphDivine law, order of the sea
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "of divine law," personifying the natural order and rules governing the sea