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| Greek deities series |
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| Nymphs |
In classicalGreek mythology,Syrinx/ˈsɪrɪŋks/ (Ancient Greek:Σύριγξ,romanized: Súrinx,lit. 'pipe') was an Arcadiannymph and a follower ofArtemis, known for herchastity. Being pursued by Pan, she fled into the riverLadon, and at her own request was metamorphosed into a reed from which Pan then made his panpipes.
Syrinx was a beautiful wood nymph who had many times attracted the attention of satyrs, and fled their advances in turn. She worshippedArtemis, the goddess of wilderness, and, like her, had vowed to remain a virgin for all of time. Pursued by the amorous godPan, she ran to a river's edge and asked for assistance from theriver nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow waterreeds that made a haunting sound when the god's frustrated breath blew across them. Pan cut the reeds to fashion the first set ofpanpipes, which were thenceforth known assyrinx.[1] The wordsyringe is derived from this word.
Ovid includes the story of Pan and Syrinx in Book One of theMetamorphoses, where it is told by Mercury to Argus in the course of lulling him asleep in order to kill him.[1] The myth is also preserved in the works of some anonymous Greek paradoxographer.[2]
The story is also told inAchilles Tatius' novelLeucippe and Clitophon where the eponymous heroine is subjected to a virginity test by entering a cave where Pan has left syrinx pipes that will sound a melody if she passes.[3] This has similarities with another myth Achilles wrote down, that ofRhodopis, who was transformed into a fountain that served as a virginity testing place for maidens.[4]
Longus makes reference to Syrinx in his tale of "Daphnis and Chloe" in Book 2:34. Whilst the description of the tale here is modified to that of Ovid, it nevertheless incorporatesPan's desire to have her. Longus, however, makes no reference to Syrinx receiving aid from the Nymphs in his version, instead Syrinx hides from Pan in amongst some reeds and disappears into the marsh. Upon realising what had happened to Syrinx, Pan created the first set of panpipes from the reeds she was transformed into, forcing her to be with him for the rest of his days.
The story became popular among artists and writers in the 19th century. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a poem entitled "A Musical Instrument" describing Pan's ruinous actions in creating the musical pipes. The Victorian artist and poetThomas Woolner wroteSilenus, a long narrative poem about the myth, in which Syrinx becomes the lover ofSilenus, but drowns when she attempts to escape rape by Pan. As a result of the crime, Pan is transmuted into a demon figure and Silenus becomes a drunkard.[5]Amy Clampitt's poemSyrinx refers to the myth by relating the whispering of the reeds to the difficulties of language.
The story was used as a central theme by Aifric Mac Aodha in her poetry collectionGabháil Syrinx.
Samuel R. Delany features an instrument called a syrynx in his science-fiction novelNova.
Syrinx is the name of one of the main characters inthe Night's Dawn Trilogy ofspace opera novels by British authorPeter F. Hamilton. In the trilogy, Syrinx is a member of the transhumanist future society known as Edenism, and serves as the captain of theOenone, a living starship.
A 1972 poem byJames Merrill, titled "Syrinx", draws on several aspects on the mythological tale, with the poet himself identifying with the celebrated nymph, desiring to become not just a "reed" but a "thinking reed" (in contrast to a "thinking stone", as criticHelen Vendler has observed, noting the influence of aWallace Stevens lyric, "Le Monocle de Mon Oncle").[6] The poet aspires to return to his "scarred case" with minimal suffering inflicted by "the great god Pain", a play of words on the Greek godPan. "Syrinx" is the final poem in Merrill's 1972 collection,Braving the Elements.[6]
InDark Places of Wisdom, Peter Kingsley discusses in some detail the use of the word inParmenides' poem and in association with the ancient practice of incubation.[7]
The British Victorian artistArthur Hacker depicted Syrinx in his 1892 nude. This painting in oil on canvas is currently on display inManchester Art Gallery.
A sculpture of Syrinx created in 1925 by sculptorWilliam McMillan is displayed at theKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.
SculptorAdolph Wolter was commissioned in 1973 to create a replacement for a stolen sculpture ofSyrinx inIndianapolis, United States. This work was a replacement for a similar statue byMyra Reynolds Richards that had been stolen. The sculpture sits in University Park located in the city'sIndiana World War Memorial Plaza.
Abraham Jannsens painted Syrinx in 1620 as part of "Pan and Syrinx".
Claude Debussy based his 1913Syrinx (Debussy) on Pan's sadness over losing his love. The piece is still popular today; it was used as incidental music in the playPsyché byGabriel Mourey.[8]
The story ofPan and Syrinx is the inspiration for the first movement inBenjamin Britten's work for solo oboe,Six Metamorphoses after Ovid first performed in 1951. Britten titled the movement, "Pan: who played upon the reed pipe which was Syrinx, his beloved."
Maurice Ravel incorporated the character of the Syrinx into his balletDaphnis et Chloé.
Gustav Holst alludes to the story of Pan and Syrinx in the opening of hisChoral Symphony, which draws from the text of John Keats' 1818 poem "Endymion."
French Baroque composer Michel Pignolet de Montéclair composed "Pan et Syrinx", a cantata for voice and ensemble (No. 4 ofSecond livre de cantates).
Danish composerCarl Nielsen composedPan and Syrinx (Pan og Syrinx), Op. 49, FS 87.
The British folk-rock band Oberon included a flute solo called "Syrinx" on its 1970 album,A Midsummer's Night Dream.
Canadian electronicprogressive rock bandSyrinx took their name from the legend.
Canadianprogressive rock bandRush have a movement titled "The Temples of Syrinx" in their song "2112" on their album2112. The song is about adystopian futuristic society in which the arts, particularly music, have been suppressed by the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx.
Related to the Rush reference, Maryland based rockersClutch mention the Temples of Syrinx in their song "10001110101" from their albumRobot Hive/Exodus.[9]
Media related toSyrinx at Wikimedia Commons Media related toPan and Syrinx at Wikimedia Commons.jpg)
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