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Narcissus

In Greek mythology, Narcissus (Greek Ναρκισσος) spurned the love of both boys and girls. A rejected lover prayed to Nemesis that Narcissus would one day know the pain of unreturned love, and this curse was fulfilled when Narcissus became entranced by the image of a boy he later discovered only to be his own reflection in a pool. A nymph, Echo, loved this beautiful boy, but she could never get his attention. He remained by the water's edge, and she eventually pined away waiting for him...until nothing was left of Echo but her sad, pleading voice, and Narcissus turned into a daffodil.

Narcissus was the son of Cephissus and Liriope.

The tale of Narcissus is told in numerous places, but its telling in Book III of Ovid's Metamorphoses is probably the most well known.

An alternate version from Boeotia claims that Narcissus lived in Thespiae[?]. Ameinias[?], a young man, loved Narcissus but was scorned. Narcissus was tired of Ameinias' constant affection and gave him a sword as a present. Ameinias used the sword to kill himself on Narcissus' doorstep and cursed his name. Later, Narcissus stared at his own reflection in a spring and was turned into a daffodil.

Narcissism is named after Narcissus.


Narcissus is also a name for daffodils.



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