Faunus – Horned God Pan – Horned God Cernunnos
This little guy had such a big impact on me as I created him. There are a few myths about him that I think are interesting.
In Roman mythological this little guy is known has a god named Faunus and a goddess named Fauna who were goat people. He is also known as the faun, half human half goat manifestation of forest and animal spirits. Romans felt that fauns inspired fear as one travelled through lonely, remote and wild places. If the faun felt that the human needed help, he would guide him to safety. It depended on the faun and the human in need. The faun is often associated with enchanted woods. Next time you are walking through the woods look for them because they are there watching you.
In Greek mythological the half human half goat creature is known as the god Pan. One of Pan’s myths involves the origin of his flute. One day Pan met a the water nymph named Syrinx. To escape from Pan’s hot pursuit, Syrinx ran until she came upon her sisters. Her sisters changed her into a reed. Not knowing what reed was Syrinx, Pan cut nine pieces of reeds, joined them together with gradually decreasing lengths. This formed the musical instrument named Syrinx. Henceforth, Pan was never seen without his flute. Did you know that Pan and Apollo had a contest to see who had the best musical skill? Apollo won, of course. Pan is also the god of fertility and he is famous for his sexual powers.
In celtic mythology the horned god is known as Cernunnos. Even though there is little literary writings of Cernunnos, he is believed to be the depictions of horned deities. Cernunnos is often portrayed with animals, particular stags. He is also associated with the ram horned serpent. Cernunnos is often described as the Lord of the Animals.
For me the drawing I drew is a depiction of the horned god Cernnunnos. The horned god reflects the seasons of year in an annual cycle of life, death and rebirth in Wicca. He is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle. Even though out of the three gods, Cernunnos is a stag and not a goat, this drawing represents him in my world.
like the drawing.. Lots of info too.
Yes, really interesting, Keira. I wonder how much of the Pan / Syrinx story has been corrupted by Roman patriarchy. After all, if she wanted to “escape his hot pursuit,” then he must have wanted to have her sexually, against her will. Then he cuts 9 reeds (her sisters) down to use? Ugh. Male power, oppressing females again. I wonder if the earlier (pre-Roman, pre-Greek) versions of these stories were female centered? Males always want to appropriate our fertility and take credit for it.
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