dryads

Dryads are tree nymphs, female spirits of the forest in ancient Greek mythology. They are part of the broader group of nymphs and are closely associated with trees and groves. The name is often used for nymphs bound to a particular tree, while the subtype hamadryad specifically denotes a dryad whose life is tied to the life of her tree; if the tree dies, the dryad dies.

Dryads are typically described as beautiful, shy, and protective of their groves. They are more commonly imagined as living within trees or in the forest near their trees, and they may interact with mortals who show reverence for nature. In some myths they can grant favors or provide warnings, but they are generally elusive and quick to retreat.

The concept appears in Greek poetry and mythology, and the Romans adopted and adapted it as well. Because their life is bound to a tree, the fate of a dryad mirrors that of her tree; the destruction of the tree effectively ends the dryad’s life in the tradition.

In modern fantasy, dryads are a common figure, usually portrayed as sapient tree-spirits or guardians of forests. They are commonly depicted as female beings with powers related to plants and healing, and they are often distinguished from naiad water nymphs and oreads mountain nymphs. They appear in novels, games, and films as symbols of natural harmony or ecological peril.