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Serpent symbolism. The serpent, or snake, is one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols. The word is derived from Latin serpens, a crawling animal or snake. Snakes have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to humankind [1][2] and represent dual expression [3] of good and evil. [4]
The ouroboros or uroboros (/ ˌjʊərəˈbɒrəs /; [2] / ˌʊərəˈbɒrəs / [3]) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon [4] eating its own tail. The ouroboros entered Western tradition via ancient Egyptian iconography and the Greek magical tradition. It was adopted as a symbol in Gnosticism and Hermeticism and most notably in ...
Animals were seen as mediators between the gods and humans. Many gods took anthropomorphic forms and had close associations with animals. For example, Zeus turned into a swan and was associated with eagles. Numerous animals also appeared in Greco-Roman mythology, such as the Hydra and the Chimera. [169]
Hecate. Paired torches, dogs, serpents, keys, knives, and lions. Hecate (/ ˈhɛkəti / HEK-ə-tee) [a] is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches, a key, or snakes, or accompanied by dogs, [4] and in later periods depicted as three-formed or triple-bodied.
Medusa is generally described as a woman with living snakes in place of hair; her appearance was so hideous that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone. [4] Medusa and her Gorgon sisters Euryale and Stheno were usually described as daughters of Phorcys and Ceto; of the three, only Medusa was mortal.
In Greek mythology, the Minotaur [b] (Ancient Greek: Μινώταυρος, Mīnṓtauros), also known as Asterion, is a mythical creature portrayed during classical antiquity with the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man [4] (p 34) or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, a being "part man and part bull".
According to Greek mythology, [1] the Chimera, Chimaera, Chimæra, or Khimaira (/ k aɪ ˈ m ɪər ə, k ɪ-/ ky-MEER-ə, kih-; Ancient Greek: Xίμαιρα, romanized: Chímaira, lit. 'she-goat') [ 2 ] was a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature from Lycia , Asia Minor , composed of different animal parts.
A nymph (Ancient Greek: νύμφη, romanized: nýmphē; Attic Greek: [nýmpʰɛː]; sometimes spelled nymphe) is a minor female nature deity in ancient Greek folklore. Distinct from other Greek goddesses , nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature; they are typically tied to a specific place, landform, or tree, and are ...