Iynx

In Greek mythology, Iynx (Ancient Greek: Ἴυγξ, romanized: Íynx) was an Arcadian nymph; a daughter of the god Pan and the nymph Echo. In popular myth, she used an enchantment to cast a spell on Zeus, which caused him to fall in love with Io. In consequence of this, Hera metamorphosed her into the bird called iynx (Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla).^[2]

Detail of an earring showing a figure of Eros holding an iynx toy. Created in Northern Greece, c. 330–300 BC^[1]

She was the symbol of restless, passionate love.^[3]

Mythology

Iynx was an Arcadian nymph and the daughter of Pan and Echo, or Peitho.^[4] She was the creator of a magical love-charm known as the iynx—a spinning wheel with a wryneck bird attached. Iynx used her enchantments to make Zeus fall in love with her or with the nymph Io. Hera was enraged and transformed her into a wryneck bird.^[5]

According to another story, she was a daughter of Pierus, and as she and her sisters had presumed to enter into a musical contest with the Muses, she was changed into the bird iynx.^[6] This bird, the symbol of passionate and restless love, was given by Aphrodite to Jason, who, by turning it round and pronouncing certain magic words, excited the love of Medea.^{[7][AI-generated source?]}

Magic wheel

Iynx (bird wheel), a magic love charm. From Sterea Hellas Evoia, late 8th or early 7th century BC

Iynx toys were small metal or wooden discs rotated by pulling attached strings, in a manner similar to more modern button whirligig toys.^[8]

See also

• Jinx
• Idyll II
• Love magic
• Magic in the Greco-Roman world