Edinburgh

Narcissus was a figure from Greek mythology known for his extraordinary beauty. According to the most famous version of his story, he was a young hunter who rejected the love of others, including the nymph Echo. As punishment for his vanity and cruelty, he was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to leave his reflection or touch the object of his desire, Narcissus wasted away and died by the water's edge. In some versions, he transforms into the narcissus flower that bears his name.

The myth of Narcissus has become a powerful symbol for self-obsession and vanity, giving rise to the psychological term "narcissism." The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive self-love and the inability to form genuine connections with others.