Naiades

(Νηΐδες). Inferior deities who presided over rivers, brooks, springs, and fountains. Their name is derived from ναίω, “to flow,” as indicative of the gentle motion of water. The Naiades are generally represented as young and beautiful virgins, leaning upon an urn, from which flows a stream of water. They were held in great veneration among the ancients, and sacrifices of goats and lambs were offered them, with libations of wine, honey, and oil. Sometimes they received only offerings of milk, fruit, and flowers. See Nymphae.