Morpheus | Greek God

Morpheus (Greek: Μορφεύς, transl.: Morphéus, lit "molder; the form") is the god of dreaming in Greek mythology.

Name

His name - derived from the Greek word meaning "the form" - indicates his function: he has the ability to assume any human form and appear in people's dreams.

Features

Like most deities of sleep and dreams, Morpheus is winged. He has large, swift wings, which flap noiselessly, and carry him in a flash to the ends of the earth.

He is one of the brothers (in some less reliable versions, he is a son) of the god Hypnos, of sleep. Hypnos' brothers, the Oneiros, are personifications of dreams, among them Icelo and Phantasus. Morpheus was mentioned in Ovid's Metamorphoses as a god who lives on a bed made of ebony in a dark cave decorated with flowers.

Morpheus is commonly confused with his brother Hypnos, the latter being the god of sleep, and Morpheus one of the gods of dreams.

Curiosities and Popular Culture

When a person augurs: go into the arms of Morpheus, he suggests "having a peaceful sleep, with good dreams," as if he were enveloped by this god.

The drug morphine has its name derived from Morpheus, since it gives the user drowsiness and effects analogous to dreams.