Dryads

 

 

ORIGIN

They are from Greek mythology.

 

FIRST SIGHTED/RECORDED

There is not an exact time to when they were recorded, as they are known within Greek mythology, it is possible that they could have developed at that time. However, as they are part of nature, it is very likely that they are as old as time.

 

APPEARANCE

They are thought to be extremely beautiful. Some may have the appearance of a tree of a have a form of tree like clothing. They also tend to be of a green or brown colour. Some of them are very tall like the trees whilst some are very small.

 

GENDER

Female

 

ALSO KNOWN AS

Dryas, Dryades

 

REPELLED BY

They are not typically repelled by anything. Cruelty is probably the thing that will effect them most. The earth of the tree that they inhabit is also a weakness.

 

MAGICAL POWERS/SKILLS

They are supernaturally long lived. This is possibly because trees themselves have a very long lifespan.

 

HISTORY/ABOUT

They are a female spirit also known as a tree Nymph. The Dryads are specifically associated with the Oak trees. Dryad is also typically the name used for all Nymphs but they are all placed into sub categories. It is said that if the tree that she resides in dies, then she will die also. If a mortal damages or harms the tree then she will punish them. They are thought to be very shy except around Artemis, who is a friend of all Nymphs.

 

CAN BE FOUND

They can be found around the Oak tree that they are part of. They can also preside around any forests or groves that are within their vicinity.

 

TALES

There are hundreds of individual Dryads so there are an equal number of tales. Most of the tales are usually about how they became to be a Dryad and tales of lost love.

 

ANY SIGHTINGS?

Over the years there have been many sightings on what people have believed to be Nymphs or Spirits of the forest. Unfortunately, these tend to get mixed up with Ghost sightings or hoaxes.

 

SIMILAR CREATURES

Hamadryads, Meliai, Oreiades, Daphnaie

 

Sphinx

 

 

ORIGIN

They originated in the Old Kingdom of the Egyptians before being imported into Greek mythology.

 

FIRST SIGHTED/RECORDED

The actual building of the Sphinx was around the 4th dynasty (2723 BC) so it is possible that tales came from around that time or possibly earlier. An exact date cannot be given. 

 

APPEARANCE

They traditionally have the body of a lion and the head of a female (sometimes a male). They are also sometimes depicted as having the head of a ram or a falcon. The appearance can differ within countries but this is the general appearance that everyone is accustomed too.

 

GENDER

In most cultures, especially that of Greek mythology, they are personified as female. Some are depicted as male though, especially in Egypt.

 

ALSO KNOWN AS

Abu al-Hol (Arabic – "Father of Terror"), Sphiggein (Greek – "To draw tight")

 

REPELLED BY

N/A

 

MAGICAL POWERS/SKILLS

They are not known as such for having specific magical powers, they are more known as protectors. They are very strong so they may be more of a threat that way. They are known for giving out riddles so that in essence can be their magical power so to speak.

 

HISTORY/ABOUT

She was said to have been born in the country of the Arimi and is the daughter of Orthus and Chimaera. Some say that her parents could have also been either Typhon and Echidna or Typhon and Chimaera. Some also say that she is the natural daughter of Laius, connecting her to the fate of the house of Laius and her respected stay at Thebes. She is sometimes seen as the symbol of ruler ship. This is why she is the guardian of pyramids, tombs and sacred highways. They are a symbol of abundance, wisdom, mysteries, riddles, truth, unity and secrets.

 

CAN BE FOUND

She is thought to be living somewhere in the Ethiopian mountains.

 

TALES

In early Greek mythology, she was said to be the symbol of the "terrible mother", portrayed as an unhappy monster of death, bringing bad luck, perversion of the intellect, power and womanhood. In some Greek tales, such as "The Sphinx in the Oedipus Legend, 1981", the Sphinx would ask an exact riddle. The riddle was "What is it that has one voice, and is four footed and two footed and three footed?". She sat upon Mount Phikion and if the Thebans got it wrong she would eat them. Oedipus answered with man, and with that she perished.

 

ANY SIGHTINGS?

You can see many statues of the Sphinx in Egypt and in some parts of Greece. Whether someone has actually seen a physical representation of the beast is unknown. Most people believe that they have encountered the monster in dreams of a past life (these are usually done under hypnosis) but whether they are to be believed or not is down to the person listening.

 

SIMILAR CREATURES

Griffin, Harpy, Phoenix, Hybrid, Pixiu