Hyades
The Hyades were nymphs who nursed the infant Dionysus and were placed among the stars as a cluster whose rising brought the autumn rains.
The Myth of Hyades
The Hyades were daughters of Atlas (sisters of the Pleiades). They raised Dionysus at Nysa after Hermes brought him to escape Hera's wrath. In gratitude, Zeus placed them among the stars. Their rising in autumn coincided with the rainy season — their name may derive from hyein, "to rain." They form the V-shaped face of the constellation Taurus. Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus, sits among them though it's not a true member.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Hyades form the V-shaped "face" of Taurus the bull — one of the most recognisable patterns in the night sky.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Phaeo
🌿 nymphStars, nursing
One of the Hyades nymphs who nursed the infant Dionysus and was later placed among the stars
Phyto
🌿 nymphStars, nature
One of the Hyades nymphs whose name means growth or planting, connected to the agricultural significance of the star cluster
Polyxo
🌿 nymphStars, nursing
One of the Hyades nymphs and nurse of Dionysus, transformed into a star for her devoted care of the god
Aegle
🌿 nymphlight, healing
A nymph whose name means "radiance" — identified variously as a Hesperid, a daughter of Asclepius, or the most beautiful of the Naiads.
Thyene
🌿 nymphStars, Bacchic frenzy
One of the Hyades nymphs whose name connects to the ecstatic worship of Dionysus whom she nursed
Ianthe
🌿 nymphViolet flowers, spring
Oceanid nymph associated with violet-colored blossoms and the beauty of spring meadows
Pleione
🌿 nymphSea, sailing, flocks
Oceanid nymph and mother of the seven Pleiades star-cluster daughters
Rhodeia
🌿 nymphRoses, Rhodes
Oceanid nymph associated with roses and the rosy hue of dawn-lit waters
Urania
🌿 nymphMuse of astronomy
Urania was the Muse of astronomy and celestial navigation — her gaze was fixed on the stars.
Himalia
🌿 nymphharvest, grain
A nymph of Rhodes who bore three sons to Zeus and gave her name to a moon of Jupiter.
Eudora
🌿 nymphGood gifts, generosity
Oceanid nymph whose name means good gifts and who represented the bounty of fresh water
Electra
🌿 nymphclouds, rain, rainbows
An Oceanid nymph, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, who married the sea god Thaumas and bore Iris the rainbow goddess and the Harpies.