Cymothoe
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "swift as the waves," one of the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris
The Myth of Cymothoe
Cymothoe was one of the Nereids catalogued by Hesiod in the Theogony, her name derived from kyma (wave) and thoos (swift). In Virgil's Aeneid, she appears at a critical moment alongside the sea god Neptune, helping to calm the terrible storm that Aeolus unleashed upon Aeneas's fleet. She and the Nereid Triton physically push the stranded ships off the rocks, saving the Trojan refugees. This active, heroic role sets her apart from many Nereids who remain decorative figures. In later art, she appears riding dolphins or sea horses, her hair streaming behind her, embodying the living energy of ocean waves. She represents the helpful aspect of the sea.
Parents
Nereus and Doris
Symbols
Explore Further
Cymatolege
🌿 nymphCalming waves, stilling storms
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "wave stiller," personifying the blessed calming of stormy seas
Thoe
🌿 nymphSpeed, swift currents
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "the swift one," personifying the rapid movement of ocean currents
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
Cymo
🌿 nymphWaves, the swell of the sea
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "wave," the simplest personification of the sea's fundamental motion
Panope
🌿 nymphthe sea, visibility
A Nereid whose name means "all-seeing," invoked by sailors for clear views across open water.
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
Ianeira
🌿 nymphEnchantment, captivating charm
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "she who enchants men," personifying the alluring fascination of the sea
Orithyia
🌿 nymphMountain winds, raging sea storms
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "she who rages on the mountain," associated with storm-driven seas
Psamathe
🌿 nymphSand, sandy beaches, the sea floor
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "sand goddess," personifying the sandy shores and seabed
Ianassa
🌿 nymphHealing, soothing power of the sea
Nereid sea nymph whose name means "she who heals" or "lady of healing," associated with the restorative nature of the sea