Also called Old Man of the Sea.
Their story
Nereus is the eldest son of Pontus and Gaia, whom Hesiod calls truthful and gentle, never forgetting what is right. With the Oceanid Doris he fathered the fifty Nereids. Heracles seized him on his way to the Hesperides and held him through all his changes of shape until he told the way.
Best times to give to them
- At the shore
- When seeking honest counsel
What they like being given
- Shells
- Fish-shaped bread
- Seawater
- An honest word spoken aloud
How to honour them
- Ask Nereus for honesty and kindness in your judgements.
- Visit the sea and listen before speaking.
How they can help you
- Truthfulness
- Wise counsel
- Gentle authority
Symbols
- staff
- fish
- seaweed crown
Sources
- Hesiod, Theogony 233-264
- Homer, Iliad 18.35-49
- Apollodorus, Library 2.5.11
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