Satyr Fantasy

In conjunction with Guardians of the Sacred Fountain, I decided to add this collection as well. It pretty much inspired the fantasy. Enjoy!

Shapeshifting Satyr

If only shapeshifting abilities like this was a reality! Thank goodness for fantasy...

Mythic Beings of Beast and Man

Those of Half-breed Pedigree

Fantasy equal: Satyrs, Minotaurs and Centaurs

Many of the mythical beings shaped by the minds of the ancient Greeks are part man and part beast. Some of these creatures’ appearances are based on farm animals, which makes one wonder whether the minds of perhaps lazy shepherd boys conjured these wondrous creatures and the great tales they feature in. I can identify three of these farm animal creatures; the centaur, the minotaur and the satyr/faun, all of which form a fantasy equal of a collection I posted previously.

The Satyr or Faun is part man (top half) and part goat (lower half) complete with a little tail and a pair of horns. In the world of animation, you can find fauns in the movies Narnia. The top half of the faun is portrayed by an actor, where the lower half is computer generated. You will also cross paths with them early on in the PC game called Titan Quest where they try to pierce you with arrows, impale you with javelins or zap you with shaman magic.

The Minotaur is part man (torso and arms) and part bull (lower half and head). The tale of the Minotaur is a classic tale of how the gods reward and just as easy punish mortals for their deeds. Minos, the Ruler of Crete, prayed for a white bull from Poseidon, God of the Seas. This he was granted, but at Poseidon’s bequest, had to sacrifice the bull in his name. Minos, however, decided to keep the bull. As punishment, Poseidon made Minos’ wife fall deeply in love with the bull. So much so that she copulated with the bull. As the gods would have it, she bore the bull’s offspring and so the fearsome Minotaur was born.

The Minotaur can also be found in Narnia. The White Witch’s commander is portrayed by one. The Minotaur also makes his appearance in the games of Titan Quest, Neverwinter Nights and Heroes of Might and Magic.

The centaur is part man and part horse. This creature is simply magnificent with the torso, head and arms of a man substituting a horse’s head and neck. Where the Minotaur was the commander of the forces of darkness in Narnia, so is a centaur the commander of the forces of good. Titan Quest features all Greek mythological beings and creatures, so you’d definitely find them there, opposing you unfortunately. Furthermore they form part of the Stronghold faction in the game of Heroes of Might and Magic V. I would have liked them to be on the side of the Sylvans rather, as was the case with the game’s predecessors; Heroes of Might and Magic III and IV.

The following collection depicts these creatures in an animated design we all enjoy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures

Guardians of the Sacred Fountain

Those who share in the nectar of life

Fantasy equal: Satyr

Deep within the Magic Forest is a secret garden sought after by many over the ages. It is concealed with no visible entrance, except for those sworn to guard and protect what is hidden inside.

At the centre of this garden is an enchanted fountain. Drinking from its sweet waters grants a lifetime of youth and virtue and rejuvenates those who are injured or fading. This fountain is known as the Fountain of Youth and its chief guardian is known as Pan, Lord of the Satyrs.

Being charged with the protection of the fountain, Pan and his fellow Satyrs are allowed a taste of the fountain’s nectar once in a while in order to remain at the top of their game in case anyone manages to break through the protecting seals and threaten the safety of the fountain. The nectar does not only provide virtue and valour, but virility as well, much to the delight of the Satyrs.

This collection illustrates how men share their potency, just like Pan and the Satyrs still do today at the Fountain of Youth.

"Satyrs acquired their goat-like aspect through later Roman conflation with Faunus, a carefree Italic nature spirit of similar characteristics and identified with the Greek god Pan. Hence satyrs are most commonly described in Latin literature as having the upper half of a man and the lower half of a goat, with a goat's tail in place of the Greek tradition of horse-tailed satyrs; therefore, satyrs became nearly identical with fauns. Mature satyrs are often depicted in Roman art with goat's horns, while juveniles are often shown with bony nubs on their foreheads.

Satyr on a mountain goat, drinking with women. Gandhara, 2nd-4th century.Satyrs are described as roguish but faint-hearted folk — subversive and dangerous, yet shy and cowardly. As Dionysiac creatures they are lovers of wine and women, and they are ready for every physical pleasure. They roam to the music of pipes (auloi), cymbals, castanets, and bagpipes, and they love to dance with the nymphs (with whom they are obsessed, and whom they often pursue), and have a special form of dance called sikinnis. Because of their love of wine, they are often represented holding wine cups, and they appear often in the decorations on wine cups."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyr