Nereids
nymphΝηρηΐδες
Fifty sea nymphs
The fifty Nereids were daughters of Nereus — benevolent spirits of the calm sea who aided sailors and rode dolphins.
The Myth
The most famous were Thetis, Amphitrite, and Galatea. They lived in a golden palace on the sea floor. Hesiod lists all fifty by name — Galene (calm), Cymothoe (swift wave), Erato (lovely).
Parents
Nereus and Doris
Children
Various
Symbols
dolphinssea shellscalm wavesgolden palace
Fun Fact
Neptune's moon Nereid and the biological order Nereididae are both named after these sea nymphs.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: