Narcissus was a character from ancient Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection. According to the story, Narcissus was extraordinarily handsome, but he rejected everyone who loved him because he thought no one was good enough. One day, he saw his face reflected in a pool of water and became completely captivated by his own beauty. Unable to look away, he stayed by the pool admiring himself until he died. In some versions of the myth, the gods transformed him into a flower: the white and yellow bloom we call a narcissus, which grows with its head bent down toward the water, as if still gazing at its reflection.

The story gave us the word narcissism, which describes excessive self-admiration and self-centeredness. Someone who constantly talks about themselves, posts dozens of selfies, or can't stop bragging might be called narcissistic. The myth is often told as a warning that being so focused on yourself that you ignore everyone else can lead to loneliness and missed opportunities for real connection.

The narcissus flower itself (also called a daffodil) blooms in spring and has no connection to vanity. It's simply a cheerful yellow or white flower that announces winter's end. When you hear someone called a narcissus or narcissistic, though, they're being compared to that young man who loved his reflection more than anything or anyone else.