Iynx
In Greek mythology, Iynx was an Arkadian Oreiad nymph; a daughter of the god Pan and either Peitho or Echo. She cast a spell on Zeus which caused him to fall in love with Io. In consequence of this, Hera metamorphosed her into the bird called iynx (Eurasian Wryneck, jynx torquilla).[1]
According to another story, she was a daughter of Pierus, and as she and her sisters had presumed to enter into a musical contest with the Muses, she was changed into the bird iynx.[2] This bird, the symbol of passionate and restless love, was given by Aphrodite to Jason, who, by turning it round and pronouncing certain magic words, excited the love of Medea.[3]
See also
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Leonhard Schmitz (1870). "Iynx". In Smith, William. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology 2. p. 692.
Footnotes
- ↑ Scholia on Theocritus 2. 17, on Pindar, Pythian Ode 4. 380, Nemean Ode 4. 56; Tzetzes on Lycophron 310. (cited in Smith)
- ↑ Antoninus Liberalis 9. (cited in Smith)
- ↑ Pindar, Pythian Ode 4. 380, &c.; Tzetzes on Lycophron 310 (cited in Smith)