Echo and Narcissus
Echo was a nymph in love with a handsome young mortal named Narcissus. They both became obsessed- Echo with Narcissus and Narcissus with himself. Narcissus became so consumed by his love for his reflection that he died staring into the water. Echo was so upset she withered away.
The Word 'Narcissism'
We get the word narcissism, meaning extreme self love or interest from this myth. Although the myth is centuries old, the word wasn't coined until 1899 by psychiatrist Paul Nacke.
Morals of the Myth
The lesson to be learned of Echo's fate is the danger of obsession. The lesson to be learned from Narcissus' fate is the danger of vanity.
The Narcissus Flower
Credit to http://mostbeautifulflower.com/daffodil/
A Narcissus flower is said to have grown from Narcissus' remains. Narcissus in a genus of bulb flowers including the daffodil (pictured left).