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

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Scholia on Theocritus 2. 17, on Pindar, Pythian Ode 4. 380, Nemean Ode 4. 56; Tzetzes on Lycophron 310. (cited in Smith)
  2. ↑ Antoninus Liberalis 9. (cited in Smith)
  3. ↑ Pindar, Pythian Ode 4. 380, &c.; Tzetzes on Lycophron 310 (cited in Smith)


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