Chimeras and Chimera Mythology

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Chimeras are Hybrid Mythical Creatures

The Chimera appears in Greek mythology as a monstrous creature, apparently a combination of several different animals. While the chimera, or hybrid, creature, may exist only in legend and myth, the creatures from which it is composed are real. Some chimeras are even part human. The Greek chimera had a lion's head, the body of a goat, the tail of a snake, and breathed fire - clearly very dangerous! However, many other famous mythological hybrids exist, and some have good characteristics and have proven helpful to human beings. The concept of a chimera, then, is not necessarily that of an evil monster, but rather a being that combines the strengths of a number of creatures.

The Chimera of Arezzo
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The Greek Chimera 

The chimera in Greek mythology is described in Homer's Iliad as having the body of a goat, the head of a lion, and tail of a snake. Having the strength of these three animals, the chimera was feared as a vicious, powerful creature. On top of that, legend held that it also breathed fire!

The chimera is best known for its death at the hands of Bellerophon who triumphed over it with the help of Pegasus, the flying horse. Able to fly above the chimera, and so out of the range of the fire coming out of its mouth, Bellerophon shot arrows at the beast wounding it, and finally killing it.



Image of Chimera on Apulian red-figure dish from Wikimedia Commons.

Pegasus is also a Chimera! 

A horse with wings, Pegasus is a chimera or hybrid creature.

Pegasus, the Winged Horse
Unlike the fearsome chimera slain by Bellerophon, Pegasus is a noble creature. When Bellerophon became too proud and tried to fly to Mount Olympus where the Gods dwelt, Pegasus threw him off and was rewarded with a place in Mount Olympus in the stable of Zeus' horses.

Pegasus, the Winged Horse
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So, being a chimera doesn't always make you an evil and fearsome monster!

 

Basilisk or Cockatrice 

Reptile and rooster

Basilisk, Capital from Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims (Plaster Cast from Stone)
The mythical basilisk or cockatrice is a composite of a reptile and rooster, with the head and front legs of the rooster and a reptilian tail. Sometimes the creatures have wings, and then they are called cockatrices. Both versions are dangerous, evil creatures with the power to kill with a single glance.



Basilisk or Cockatrice from Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims
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The Griffin 

A lion with wings

Bronze Griffin, Schloss Branitz, Cottbus, Brandenburg, GermanyThe Griffin (also spelled gryphon) is a chimera or hybrid creature. It has the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and often the ears of a horse. Legends told of griffins that hoarded gold and hidden treasure. Being a combination of lion and eagle it was considered pretty fierce!


Bronze Griffin, Schloss Branitz, Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany
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In later ages the griffin came to symbolize more positive characteristics, from strength and valor to fidelity - griffins mate for life and if one died the other did not mate again.

 

Human-Animal Combinations 

Many chimeras or hybrid creatures are combinations of a human being and one or more other creatures. For example, the centaur is a combination of a man and horse, the minotaur of a man and bull, the mermaid is the combination of a woman and a fish.

Some of these creatures, like many other mythical and legendary creatures are good, some evil; and some, like the sphinx, are mysterious and confusing.


Sphinx of Thanit, Rendering, Egypt

Sphinx of Thanit
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The Centaur 

Part man, part horse


Centaur
In Greek mythology the centaurs were a race of mythical creatures, with the head and torso of a man with his waist joined to the horse's withers. Some have speculated that they were the first reaction of a non-riding culture when they saw nomads mounted on horses.

The centaur brings together the human being, able to talk, think, and reason, with the strength and speed of a strong, swift animal. Although the original centaurs of Greek mythology were barbaric, dangerous creatures, modern portrayals of centaurs focus more on their human characteristics and are often on the side of goodness.

Centaur
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The Minotaur 

Part bull, part man

The Minotaur the Monster Kept by King Minos in His Labyrinth

Also appearing in Greek mythology, the Minotaur was part man and part bull. King Minos of Crete kept the creature in the center of a "labyrinth," actually a maze designed by the architect Daedalus specifically for the Minotaur. The Minotaur was an evil creature, and was kept placated by human sacrifices. Of course, this set up the scene for a hero to kill the beast and save the Athenians who would have otherwise been sacrificed. And sure enough, Theseus took on the task. He slew the Minotaur and even escaped the maze (with a little help from his friend Daedalus who, in most versions of the tale, gave him a ball of thread to retrace his path).

The Minotaur the Monster Kept by King Minos in His Labyrinth
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The Sphinx 

Variety of forms - body of a lion, head of a bird, ram, or human, and sometimes wings

The sphinx is always a creature of secrecy and intrigue. Sphinxes are composites of two or more animals, usually with the body of a lion, and sometimes part human. Egyptian sphinxes had the head of a bird, a ram, or a person, usually a pharoah.



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The sphinx, that creature of mystery and intrigue, is a composite of two or more animals. Some sphinxes are part human, such as the Great Sphinx of Giza of Ancient Egypt, which has the body of a lion and the head of a Pharoah.

Sphinx with Great Pyramid in Background
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Encountering a sphinx is an opportunity to gain wisdom, but is also a confusing and dangerous experience. In Greek mythology the sphinx appears as a female, often beautiful, with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle.



Oedipus and the Sphinx

In many tales, the sphinx speaks in riddles which must be solved by those seeking to obtain her knowledge or to pass through whatever she is guarding. The sphinx is beautiful but very dangerous to those who fail to answer her riddles.

Oedipus and the Sphinx
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Mermaids and Mermen 

Humans with the lower body and tail of a fish

Mermaids at Play, 1886

Merpeople have the head and upper body of a human attached to the tail of a fish. The female is more common and known as the mermaid, but many legends also speak of male "mermen." Mermaids are generally portrayed as beautiful sea creatures, but they use their enchanting voices to lure sailors to their death with their songs.



Mermaids at Play
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What's your Favorite Chimera? 

If you were creating a chimeric creature, which would you go for? Do you like the sphinx, the centaur, the minotaur, the manticore, the griffin, the mermaid? Or a different combination of creatures?

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More about Chimeras 

Chimera
Article on Chimera at New World Encyclopedia
Griffin
Article on Griffins at New World Encyclopedia
Sphinx
Article on Sphinx at New World Encyclopedia
Minotaur
Article on Minotaur at New World Encyclopedia
Mermaid
Article on Mermaid at New World Encyclopedia
Pegasus
Article on Pegasus at New World Encyclopedia

About Me 

Lensmaster jptanabe has been a member since May 9 2009, has rated 832 lenses, favorited 53, and has created 83 lenses from scratch. Jennifer Tanabe donates their royalties to Save the Children. This member's top-ranked page is "Chocolate Christmas Ornaments". See all my lenses

 

by jptanabe

team one,giant squid challenge

I just love mythical creatures! I'm a dragon in the Chinese zodiac so I'm partial to them, griffins are a bit similar which leads to other chimeras,... (more)

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