Transformations

Youth who fell in love with his own reflection

A beautiful youth who rejected all lovers and fell in love with his own reflection in a pool. Unable to embrace the image, he wasted away and became a flower.

Nymph cursed to only repeat others' words

A mountain nymph punished by Hera, condemned to only repeat the last words spoken to her. Her unrequited love for Narcissus caused her to fade until only her voice remained.

Nymph who became a laurel tree

A nymph who prayed to be transformed rather than submit to Apollo's pursuit. She became the laurel tree, forever sacred to the god who could not have her.

Weaver who challenged Athena

A mortal weaver so skilled she challenged Athena to a weaving contest. When Arachne's tapestry proved flawless — and mocked the gods — Athena transformed her into the first spider.

Queen punished for boasting about her children

A queen who boasted that her fourteen children made her superior to the goddess Leto, who had only two. Apollo and Artemis killed all fourteen, and Niobe wept until she turned to stone.

Priestess transformed into a cow

Io was a priestess of Hera whom Zeus seduced and then transformed into a white cow to hide from his jealous wife — she wandered the world in torment.