What is Syrinx the goddess of?

Syrinx is a minor goddess from Greek mythology who is associated with panpipes and forests. She was a nymph who was pursued by the god Pan and transformed into hollow water reeds to escape him. Pan cut the reeds to make the first set of panpipes, which were then known as syrinx. So Syrinx is the goddess of panpipes,Forests and music played on panpipes.

The Myth of Syrinx and Pan

The story of Syrinx and Pan is recounted in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Syrinx was a nymph who lived in the forests of Arcadia and Diana’s retinue. One day while returning from the hunt with Diana, she encountered the god Pan. Pan tried to seduce Syrinx, but she fled from him. Syrinx came to the bank of the river Ladon, but could not cross it. When Pan caught up to her, she prayed to the river nymphs to help her escape. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds growing on the river bank. When Pan reached the spot, all he found were the reeds. He cut some of the reeds to fashion the musical instrument that was named syrinx or panpipes after the transformed nymph.

Summary of the Myth

• Syrinx was an Arcadian nymph
• She was a follower of Artemis/Diana
• Pan tried to seduce her but she fled
• Reached the river Ladon but could not cross it
• Prayed to river nymphs to transform her
• Transformed into hollow water reeds
• Pan cut the reeds to make the first panpipes

So the key points are that Syrinx was transformed into reeds to escape from Pan, and Pan then cut these reeds to make the first panpipes. So she is tied to both forests and panpipe music in her mythology.

Syrinx’s Association with Panpipes and Music

Syrinx’s connection to panpipes and the music made with them is central to her myth. When Pan cut the reeds she had turned into, he was able to fashion the first panpipes. The sound produced is said to reflect the mournful sighs of Syrinx as she was transformed. Panpipes were a very popular ancient Greek musical instrument consisting of cut reeds of graduated lengths tied together. So the panpipes themselves are directly tied to Syrinx and her story.

The music of the panpipes is also strongly associated with pastoral settings, forests, and wild areas. This again reflects Syrinx’s own origins as a forest nymph. The music produced by panpipes has a rustic, earthy quality reminiscent of the forest and nature. So while Syrinx herself is not a goddess of music per se, she is connected to the distinctive musical sounds of the panpipes.

Panpipes

• Made from cut reeds, directly tied to Syrinx’s transformation
• Mournful sighing sounds reflect Syrinx
• Popular ancient Greek instrument
• Music has rustic, pastoral forest quality

Syrinx and Panpipe Music

Some key connections between Syrinx and panpipe music include:

Syrinx as a Goddess of Forests

As an Arcadian nymph, Syrinx is also strongly associated with forests. Arcadia was a mountainous, wooded region of Greece and its nymphs were connected to the forests, trees, mountains, and freshwater bodies there. The story also takes place in the lush Ladon river area. Some key associations between Syrinx and forests include:

• Origins in Arcadian forests
• Lived in forests before encountering Pan
• Pursued by Pan in a forest
• Transformed at the banks of the Ladon river
• Reeds she transformed into reflect forests
• Panpipes music redolent of rustic forests

So although minor, Syrinx encapsulates the forest environment – its vegetation, trees, rivers, and associated rustic music. She can certainly be considered a goddess of forests, though not on the level of major deities like Artemis or Pan himself.

Visual Depiction

Syrinx is not commonly depicted visually in Greek art, reflecting her minor status. When she is shown, it is usually in one of two contexts:

1. Running away from Pan through a lush, forested landscape
2. Among a group of nymphs surrounding a major goddess like Artemis

In both cases, she is portrayed as a beautiful young woman with long hair, either nude or robed. She may have vaguely reed-like qualities if shown transformed. Here are two examples of how Syrinx is visually portrayed:

Worship and Devotion

As a minor goddess, Syrinx did not have any specific cults or rites devoted just to her in the ancient Greek world. However, she was honored along with Pan in his worship at sites such as his sanctuary the Cave of Pan on the slopes of Mount Lykaion. There, and elsewhere, she would have been invoked through hymns and prayers alongside the major god she was linked to.

Other ways Syrinx may have been honored include:

• Prayers by young women seeking protection from unwanted pursuits
• Offerings of flowers and garlands left in wetland areas
• Panpipe music played at shrines to Pan and other gods
• Songs sung about her myth and plight

So while not a major deity, Syrinx was remembered through her association with Pan and integration into the rituals and music of ancient Greek religion.

Pan’s Cave, Mount Lykaion

• Major sanctuary to Pan
• Located on the mountain slopes
• limestone cave with spring
• Active from the 6th century BC
• Pan, Hermes, Nymphs worshiped there
• Myth says Pan taught Apollo the art of prophecy there

As Pan’s major sanctuary, Syrinx would have been honored there along with him. The cave reflects their joint connections to wild, rural settings.

Conclusion

In summary, Syrinx was a minor Greek goddess associated with forests, panpipes, and the rustic music produced through them. While not a major deity, her story offers insight into Greek mythology, music, and religion. She represents the wildness of nature, sexual pursuit, and the close ties between gods, music, and the natural world. Syrinx endures through her eponymous association with panpipes and the haunting forest melodies played with them.