Nyx facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nyx
Personification of Night
Nyx is shown driving to the left in a chariot pulled by two horses. To the right of her is Helios, who ascends into the sky in his quadriga at the start of the new day. Detail of an attic terracotta lekythos, attributed to the Sappho Painter, c. 500 BC.
Personal information
Consort	Erebus
Children	Aether, Hemera, Moros, Ker, Thanatos, Hypnos, the Oneiroi, Momus, Oizys, the Hesperides, the Moirai, the Keres, Nemesis, Apate, Philotes, Geras, Eris
Parents	Chaos
Siblings	Erebus

Nyx, the goddess of night, shown in a 10th-century book called the Paris Psalter. She is next to the prophet Isaiah.

In Greek mythology, Nyx (which means "Night" in ancient Greek) is the powerful goddess who represents the night itself. She is one of the very first beings to exist in the universe. According to the ancient Greek poet Hesiod, Nyx was born from Chaos, the empty space before creation.

Nyx is often described as a mysterious goddess dressed in black robes. She travels across the sky in a chariot pulled by horses, bringing darkness to the world. Even mighty Zeus, the king of the gods, was said to respect and fear her.

In some ancient stories, Nyx is seen as the mother of many important gods and concepts. These include Aether (the bright upper sky) and Hemera (Day), whom she had with Erebus (Darkness). She also had many other children on her own, who often represented powerful ideas like Sleep, Death, and Dreams.

Who is Nyx?

Nyx is a very ancient figure in Greek myths. She is not just the time when the sun goes down; she is the actual spirit and power of night. Her presence marks the end of one day and the beginning of another.

She appears in some of the oldest stories about how the world began. These tales often place her as one of the first gods, even before many of the well-known Olympians. The Romans knew her as Nox, which also means "Night."

Nyx's Family Tree

Nyx has a fascinating family tree, showing her importance in the early universe.

Children of Nyx and Erebus

According to Hesiod's Theogony, Nyx was born from Chaos. She then joined with Erebus (Darkness). Together, they had two important children:

• Aether: The bright, upper sky.
• Hemera: The Day.

Nyx's Other Children

Nyx also had many children all by herself, without a partner. These children often represented strong feelings or important parts of life:

• Moros: Doom or Destiny.
• Thanatos: Death.
• Hypnos: Sleep.
• The Oneiroi: Dreams.
• Momus: Blame.
• Eris: Strife or Discord.
• The Moirai: The Fates, who controlled everyone's destiny.
• Nemesis: Retribution or divine justice.

Other ancient writers sometimes added more children to Nyx's family. For example, some said she was the mother of Hecate, a goddess of magic, or the Erinyes (Furies), who punished wrongdoers.

In Roman stories, Nyx (called Nox) also had many children with Erebus. These included similar concepts like Fate, Old Age, Death, and Dreams. This shows how important Night was seen in both Greek and Roman beliefs.

Nyx in Ancient Stories

Nyx's power and ancient origins made her a respected figure in many old Greek tales.

Homer's Tale of Zeus and Nyx

The famous poet Homer, in his epic poem Iliad, tells a story about Nyx's great power. The goddess Hera once asked Hypnos (Sleep), Nyx's son, to put Zeus to sleep. This was so Hera could cause trouble for Heracles without Zeus knowing.

Hypnos was scared to do this again because Zeus had been furious the last time. He explained that he only escaped Zeus's wrath by fleeing to his mother, Nyx. Homer says that even Zeus, the most powerful god, was "in awe of doing anything to swift Night's displeasure." This shows how much respect and fear Nyx commanded.

Hesiod's Description of Night

Hesiod's Theogony describes Nyx as one of the very first beings. He places her home at the far western edge of the Earth, a mysterious place "wrapped in dark clouds."

Hesiod tells us that Nyx and her daughter Hemera (Day) share the same dwelling. Each day, they pass each other at the entrance. As one leaves to travel across the Earth, the other enters to rest, waiting for their turn. Nyx travels across the world "wrapped in a vaporous cloud," often holding her son Hypnos (Sleep) in her arms.

Night in Roman Times

The Romans called Nyx by the name Nox. Roman poets often described Nox with a more intense and sometimes frightening presence.

Virgil, in his epic Aeneid, suggests that Nox lived in the underworld and drove her chariot across the sky. Other poets described her chariot being pulled by four horses, with the stars following behind her. Sometimes, Sleep was even her charioteer. Ovid mentioned that Nox wore a "wreath of poppy" around her head, a flower often associated with sleep and dreams.

Nyx in Orphic Beliefs

Some ancient Greek religious groups, known as the Orphics, had their own special stories about the gods. In these Orphic tales, Nyx was often seen as an even more central and primordial figure.

In some Orphic stories, Nyx was the very first deity to exist. She was sometimes described as the mother of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). In other versions, she was closely linked with a god named Phanes, who emerged from a cosmic egg. Nyx was sometimes called Phanes' daughter and partner, and she was considered the second ruler of the gods.

The Orphics believed Nyx was incredibly wise. She was called the "immortal nurse of the gods" and was known to give important prophecies. Even Zeus would consult Nyx in her sacred cave to get advice on how to rule the universe and make his power strong. She was a source of ancient wisdom and guidance for the younger gods.

How Nyx Was Shown in Art

Nyx depicted in the Paris Psalter presiding over the parting of the red sea, a 10th-century Greek manuscript, National Library of France

Roman-era bronze statuette of Nyx velificans or Selene (Getty Villa)

In ancient Greek and Roman art, it can sometimes be tricky to identify Nyx because she often looked similar to other sky goddesses like Selene (Moon) and Eos (Dawn).

• Winged Figure: Most often, Nyx was shown with large wings.
• Chariot Rider: She frequently appeared driving a chariot pulled by horses, symbolizing her journey across the night sky.
• Nurse of Sleep and Death: On an ancient chest, she was depicted holding Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death) as children in her arms.
• Dark Robes and Stars: Artists sometimes showed her wearing dark robes or with stars around her head, reflecting her connection to the night.
• Billowing Veil: Later Roman art sometimes showed Nox with a veil billowing behind her head, a style called velificans.

One of the earliest images of Nyx shows her in a two-horse chariot, moving away as Helios (the Sun) rises in his own chariot, marking the start of a new day.

Worshipping Nyx

Nyx didn't have as many temples or widespread worship as some other gods, but she was still important in certain places and beliefs.

• Oracles: She was associated with several oracles, which were places where people could seek advice or prophecies from the gods. One oracle was said to belong to Night on the acropolis of Megara. Some ancient writers even claimed that Nyx was the very first owner of the famous Oracle of Delphi before Apollo took it over.
• Sacrifices: To honor Nyx, people sometimes sacrificed black animals, such as black roosters, bulls, or sheep. These dark animals were seen as fitting offerings to the goddess of night.

See also

In Spanish: Nix para niños