Polyxo
One of the Hyades nymphs and nurse of Dionysus, transformed into a star for her devoted care of the god
The Myth of Polyxo
Polyxo was one of the Hyades, daughters of Atlas, who served as nurses to the infant Dionysus on Mount Nysa. The name Polyxo also belonged to several other mythological figures, including an old priestess on Lemnos who advised the women during the famous Lemnian massacre, and a queen of Rhodes who plotted revenge against Helen of Troy. The Hyad Polyxo, however, is specifically the nymph who helped raise Dionysus in concealment from Hera. Along with her sisters Phaeo, Thyene, and the others, she was rewarded by Zeus with a place among the stars. The Hyades' association with rainfall was so strong that their name entered Greek vocabulary as a synonym for the rainy season itself. Polyxo's name, meaning much hospitality, reflects the generous nurturing role she played in the early life of the wine god.
Parents
Atlas
Symbols
Fun Fact
The name Polyxo belonged to at least three distinct mythological women, making it one of the most frequently reused names in Greek myth
Explore Further
Phaeo
🌿 nymphStars, nursing
One of the Hyades nymphs who nursed the infant Dionysus and was later placed among the stars
Hyades
🌿 nymphRain-bringing star nymphs
The Hyades were nymphs who nursed the infant Dionysus and were placed among the stars as a cluster whose rising brought the autumn rains.
Thyene
🌿 nymphStars, Bacchic frenzy
One of the Hyades nymphs whose name connects to the ecstatic worship of Dionysus whom she nursed
Phyto
🌿 nymphStars, nature
One of the Hyades nymphs whose name means growth or planting, connected to the agricultural significance of the star cluster
Neda
🌿 nymphRivers, nurture, Arcadia
Oceanid nymph of the River Neda in Arcadia who helped nurse the infant Zeus
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.
Eudora
🌿 nymphGood gifts, generosity
Oceanid nymph whose name means good gifts and who represented the bounty of fresh water
Idyia
🌿 nymphKnowledge, Colchis
Oceanid nymph known as the knowing one and queen of Colchis beside King Aeetes
Polydora
🌿 nymphGenerosity, abundance
Oceanid nymph whose name means many gifts and who embodied bountiful waters
Amalthea
🌿 nymphnurture, abundance
A nymph (or goat) who nursed the infant Zeus in a cave on Mount Ida in Crete.
Penelope
🌿 nymphnature, pastoral
A mountain nymph of Arcadia who, in one tradition, was the mother of Pan by Hermes — distinct from Odysseus's famous wife.
Polixo
🌿 nymphHospitality, many guests
Oceanid nymph whose name means much hospitality or she who welcomes many