Echo

In Greek mythology, Echo (/ˈɛkoʊ/; Greek: Ἠχώ, Ēkhō, derived from ἦχος, ēchos meaning "sound") was an Oread—a mountain nymph—who made her home on Mount Cithaeron. Her story intertwines with divine jealousy and unrequited love.

Zeus, king of the gods, frequently descended to Earth to consort with beautiful nymphs. His wife Hera, growing suspicious of these visits, came down from Mount Olympus attempting to catch Zeus in his infidelities. Echo, following Zeus's orders to protect him, distracted Hera with lengthy conversations while the nymphs escaped.

When Hera discovered this deception, she punished Echo severely, condemning her to lose her ability to speak independently. Instead, Echo could only repeat the final words spoken to her by others—hence the origin of an "echo."

Echo's punishment proved especially tragic when she encountered the beautiful youth Narcissus and fell deeply in love with him. Unable to express her feelings in her own words, she was forced to silently witness as Narcissus became enamored with his own reflection, leaving her love forever unspoken and unreturned.