Leuce- Greek SpiritSpirit · Nymph
Also known as: Λεύκη
Symbols
Description
Carried down to the Underworld by Hades himself, this Oceanid nymph lived among the dead until her mortal span ended, and the lord of the dead transformed her into a white poplar rooted in the Elysian Fields, its pale leaves later crowning Heracles.
Mythology & Lore
The White Poplar
Hades took Leuce from the world above and brought her to his kingdom. She was a daughter of Oceanus, and she lived among the dead for the span of a mortal life. When she died, Hades transformed her into a white poplar rooted in the Elysian Fields. Servius preserves this account in his commentary on Vergil.
When Heracles descended to the underworld to bring back Cerberus, he found the tree and wove its pale branches into a crown. The white poplar became his mark. At Olympia, Pausanias records, those who sacrificed on the altar of Pelops burned white poplar wood.
Relationships
- Family