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Narcissus or Narkissos (Greek: Ν?ρκισσος), possibly derived from ναρκη (narke) meaning "sleep, numbness," in Greek mythology was a hunter from the territory of Thespiae in Boeotia who was renowned for his beauty. He was exceptionally proud, in that he disdained those who loved him. Nemesis saw this and attracted Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it, not realizing it was merely an image. Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus died Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself.

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Narcissus in Greek myth is a beautiful Greek boy who finds himself so attractive, he falls in love with his own reflection. From this tale we derive the term narcissism meaning being obsessed with one’s self. There are several variants to the tale of Narcissus, which more or less support this meaning.

An alternate version of the Narcissus myth is that Narcissus had a twin sister who he loved greatly. In some versions he is in love with his sister, which was not uncommon in Greek mythology. The two dress the same and are always together until the sister dies. Narcissus chances to look at the water after her death, and seeing his own reflection, believes it to be his sister.

As a result, Narcissus is not mesmerized by himself, but instead mesmerized by a lost love. This myth is somewhat beautiful in the concept that a person literally creates the memories of lost love ones and thus keeps them alive. However, Narcissus dwells too long at the water. The Narcissus flowers, which often grow near lakes and water sources, are so named to symbolize Narcissus still waiting by the water for his lost sister, and always caught by the past.

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