Also called Somnus (Roman).
Their story
Hypnos is the son of Night and twin brother of Thanatos, and in Hesiod he roams the earth gently and kindly to mortals. In the Iliad Hera persuaded him to lull Zeus to sleep, promising him one of the Graces as his wife. Together with Death, he carried the body of Sarpedon home to Lycia. At Troezen he shared an altar with the Muses.
Best times to give to them
- At bedtime
- After a long illness or grief
- Alongside the Muses, as at his altar in Troezen
What they like being given
- Poppy flowers or a picture of poppies (never poppy preparations)
- A glass of water by the bed
- Lavender
- Warm milk with honey
How to honour them
- Make your bedroom a small sanctuary: dim, quiet and tidy.
- Say a short prayer for rest before sleep.
- Seek medical help for lasting sleeplessness.
How they can help you
- Sleeplessness
- Rest after grief
- Calming the mind
Symbols
- poppy
- horn of sleep
- wings on the brow
- lowered torch
Sources
- Hesiod, Theogony 211-212, 756-766
- Homer, Iliad 14.231-291
- Homer, Iliad 16.666-683
- Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.31.3
More Greek gods
- Zeus King of the gods and keeper of oaths
- Apollo Lord of light, music and prophecy
- Hermes Swift messenger and guide of travellers
- Hades Lord of the underworld and giver of wealth
- Dionysus Twice-born god of wine, theatre and ecstasy
- Poseidon Earth-shaker and lord of the sea
- Helios The all-seeing sun who crosses the sky
- Pan Goat-footed god of shepherds and wild places