Nereids

n. sea-nymph, one of the daughters of Nereus (Greek Mythology); one of the satellites of Neptune (Astronomy)

For the moon of the planet Neptune, see Nereid (moon).Callianassa redirects here. For the shrimp genus, see Callianassa (genus).Cymothoe redirects here. For the butterfly genus, see Cymothoe (butterfly).In Greek mythology, the Nereids (neer'-ee-eds) are sea nymphs, the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris. They often accompany Poseidon and are always friendly and helpful towards sailors fighting perilous storms. They are particularly associated with the Aegean Sea, where they dwelt with their father in the depths within a silvery cave. The most notable of them are Thetis, wife of Peleus and mother of Achilles; Amphitrite, wife of Poseidon; and Galatea, love of the Cyclops Polyphemus.
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(pl. )
of Nereid
  

[Greek] The Nereids are the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris who dwell in the Mediterranean Sea. These beautiful women were always friendly and helpful towards sailors fighting perilous storms. They are believed to be able to prophesize. They belong to the retinue of Poseidon. In ancient art, particularly on black-figured Greek vases the Nereids were portrayed fully clothed, such as on a Corinthian vase (6th century BCE) where they stand around Achilles' deathbed, dressed in mourning-garbs. In later art they were portrayed naked or partially naked, riding on dolphins, seahorses, and other marine creatures.

Nereus, Nereids Nereus pertains to the enclosed seas near Greece, in contradistinction to the ocean and the fresh waters. He is a later variant of Poseidon, the former ruling the sea in Atlantean times, the latter taking his place with the fifth root-race. The Nereids, the fifty daughters of Nereus, belong to the class of nature spirits presiding over water and recognized by various propitiatory rites. Like water spirits in general, they were beautiful maidens. Goats were sacrificed to them -- a sign of their connection with the mysterious sign Capricorn.
Nature spirits include elementals both slightly developed and relatively highly developed, existing in widely diverse classes. There are elementals of high spiritual character possessing intellectual attributes and extensive sway over the kingdoms of nature; whereas others are but tiny elemental entities with relatively insignificant power.