THE GODDESS PHYSIS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Physis Greek Goddess of Nature
Physis is a goddess who appears primarily in the Orphic tradition of Greek mythology. In the Orphic tradition, Physis is the goddess of nature, both the origin of nature, and the natural order of things.
The Orphic tradition differs greatly from the more famous Hesiod tradition of the genealogy of the gods, but in the Orphic tradition, Physis was a Protogenoi, a primordial goddess. Indeed, an alternative name for Physis is Protogeneia.
Thus Physis was seen to have come into existence at the very start of time, born to no parents. From her though, all of nature derived, and so Physis can be thought of similarly to Eros, Phanes and Thesis.
The English word Physics ultimately derives from Physis, for physics is the study of nature.
The Orphic tradition differs greatly from the more famous Hesiod tradition of the genealogy of the gods, but in the Orphic tradition, Physis was a Protogenoi, a primordial goddess. Indeed, an alternative name for Physis is Protogeneia.
Thus Physis was seen to have come into existence at the very start of time, born to no parents. From her though, all of nature derived, and so Physis can be thought of similarly to Eros, Phanes and Thesis.
The English word Physics ultimately derives from Physis, for physics is the study of nature.
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