Narcissus

Narcissus (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Narcissus is a handsome youth who becomes enamoured with his own reflection in a pool of water. In the most famous version of the story, found in Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid, Narcissus rejects the advances of numerous suitors, including those of the nymph Echo. By the influence of Nemesis, Narcissus becomes infatuated with his own reflection when he views it in a pool one day. He remains there until he dies, and in that place narcissus flower later arises. Around 50 BC, the myth is attested in one of the Oxyrhynchus papyri. Other versions of the story are told by the 2nd-century AD travel writer Pausanias and the mythographer Conon.

Narcissus (plant)

Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennial plants of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Various common names including daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil, are used to describe some or all members of the genus.

Narcissus

Proper noun

1. A taxonomic genus within the family Amaryllidaceae – daffodils.

Proper noun

1. A youth who spurned the love of Echo and fell in love with his own reflection in a pool: in some versions of the myth, he drowned trying to reach it, while in others he sat fixated until a god took pity and transformed him into a flower.