Satyr
A satyr is a mythological creature characterized by a human-like upper body combined with the horns and legs of a goat, often depicted with hooves and sometimes a tail reminiscent of a horse or goat. Primarily male, female satyrs are also represented in some artworks. In Greek mythology, satyrs are followers of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and are associated with themes of pleasure and excess, reflecting humanity's primal instincts. They are frequently depicted alongside nymphs and maenads in various artistic representations, engaging in festivities that celebrate physical desires. The satyr's image has parallels in Roman mythology as fauns, which derive from the woodland god Faunus, akin to the Greek god Pan. Additionally, satyrs have influenced cultural narratives, symbolizing both the allure and dangers of indulgence. The concept of satyrs extends into modern media, appearing in literature and games, with notable characters like Mr. Tumnus from C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The satyr's legacy continues to resonate, illustrating the complex interrelations between mythology, culture, and human nature.
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Subject Terms
Satyr
A satyr is a mythological being with the head, torso, and arms of a man but the horns, legs, and sometimes ears of a goat. Satyrs have hooves and the tail of either a horse or a goat. Satyrs are usually depicted as male but occasionally are shown as female. One example is the work A Female Satyr by 16th century artist Giulio Romano.
In Greek mythology, satyrs are followers of Dionysus, the god of wine and pleasure. Dionysus was called Bacchus by the Romans. Because of the god's love for wanton celebration, parties filled with drink and fornication were called "bacchanalia." Satyrs cavort with Dionysus along with nymphs and maenads. Maenads are wild women, often depicted in furs. Satyrs represent pleasure and lust and are frequently shown coupling with nymphs. They usually live in wooded regions.
Satyrs are similar to the Roman faun. The word faun is adapted from Faunus (sometimes Phaunos or Phaunus), a woodland god of the Romans. Faunus is the Roman name for the Greek god Pan.
Background
Satyrs are thought to depict humans' animalistic and primal nature. Their human faces and torsos are offset by goat and equine appendages. It should be noted that goats are often described as "randy." Satyrs embody this characteristic, frequently engaging in drinking and sex and demonstrating that they are guided by baser urges. The condition known as satyriasis is the male version of nymphomania, which is an obsession with sexual activity. Not only do satyrs couple with nymphs, but they chase them in an animalistic hunt before fornicating.
Because of the horns and hooves, satyrs and Pan have become associated with the Devil of Christianity. These creatures are given to what Christians might term "sins of the flesh," most notably gluttony and lust. In most paintings, Pan is depicted with an erect penis. Pagan deities were often conflated with demons by early Christians. The Church believed that Pan, in his primal depiction, illustrated the dangers of the flesh and temptation.
Satyr plays were comedy plays performed by ancient Greek men dressed as satyrs. These plays, filled with bawdy jokes, were part of the Festival of Dionysus. After the audience watched three tragedies, a satyr play would lighten the mood. This is possibly the origin of the words satire and satiric. Only one satyr play, Cyclops by Euripides, still exists.
Overview
Cernunnos is a Pan-like Celtic god still worshipped by some modern pagans. He has the look of a satyr except he has the spread antlers of a stag instead of goat horns. His name means "horned one." Little mythology about him exists, which gives the nature deity an air of mystery. He is never depicted with a permanent erection and has not been equated with the Christian Devil.
He is similar to Herne the Hunter, and both are thought to be gods of the hunt. Herne was a Britain god. He was presumably a mortal, a hunter of King Richard II. He was mortally wounded while saving his lord from a stag attack in Windsor Forest. A stranger somehow healed his wounds by attaching the stag's antlers to his head. The stranger took Herne's sexual prowess in exchange for saving Herne's life. Herne could not handle this loss and hanged himself. His spirit, however, returned to continue the hunt. Like Pan, the themes of the wild and sex are prevalent in Herne's tale. Like Cernunnos, Herne is depicted with stag antlers instead of those of a goat. Herne's worship was mostly confined to Windsor Forest, but Cernunnos's worship is more widespread and includes areas of Britain and Gaul.
Cernunnos is also thought to be a representation of the Green Man. The Green Man, sometimes called "Jack-in-the-Green," is thought to be based not only on Cernunnos but also on the other horned gods. He is often represented with a man's face with hair, beard, and mustache of leaves. (Bacchus, too, was often depicted with leaves in his hair.) Sometimes he is depicted with horns. He is included in much modern-day pagan artwork.
Robin Hood is sometimes thought to be another name for the Green Man. The Robin Hood legend ties in with the themes of the old horned gods. Robin lived in the woodland, much like the fauns and satyrs. His men were described as "merry," much like the reveling satyrs. He is famed for using a bow, the weapon of a huntsman. Both Herne and Cernunnos were gods of the hunt.
Puck, a famous character from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, is often associated with the Green Man, too. He is sometimes shown with horns and hooves. He is known for impish antics and dwells in the forest.
Perhaps more famous still is the Green Knight from Arthurian lore, specifically Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight is immortal and is entirely green, including his skin and armor.
Satyr characters are also present in the popular game Dungeons and Dragons and have appeared in five editions of the game. Other games have also included Satyr creatures.
Satyr characters have appeared in popular literature, too. Arguably one of the most well-known appears in C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Mr. Tumnus, a faun, is the first character Lucy Pevensie meets when she ventures through the wardrobe into the land of Narnia. As Lewis incorporated many Christian themes into the books in his Chronicles of Narnia series, it is no surprise that Tumnus betrays Lucy to the White Witch out of fear, though their friendship is later restored when he risks his life to return her home. His depiction is strange in that he has a proper house inside a tree. He and Lucy sip tea, which is an odd pastime for a creature of the wilds.
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France drew inspiration from Greek mythology and the bacchanalia. A performance based on the painting The Feast of the Gods, by Jan van Bijlert from 1635 showed satyrs gathering around Dionysius. The performance drew criticism as many interpreted it as a parody of Da Vinci's paintingThe Last Supper rather than Bijlert's paintings.
Bibliography
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Mankey, Jason. "The Strange Triumph of Cernunnos over Pan." Patheos, 17 June 2012, www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2012/06/the-strange-triumph-of-cernunnos-over-pan/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
"Pan." Greek Mythology, www.greekmythology.com/Other‗Gods/Pan/pan.html. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
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"Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection."Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/ficha‗obra/819. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
Zhuang, Yan. “An Olympics Scene Draws Scorn. Did It Really Parody ‘The Last Supper’?” The New York Times, 28 Jul. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/sports/olympics-opening-ceremony-last-supper-paris.html. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.