Cheiron
Also called Chiron, Kheiron.
In Greek mythology, Cheiron is the immortal centaur son of Cronus and Philyra, a wise and civilized healer, prophet, and teacher whose mountain home shelters many of the greatest gods and heroes.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Greek mythology
- Trait family
- The Fore-Knowing
- Symbols
- Sagittarius
Near this figure
and 10 more
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Sagittarius is Sagittarius is the zodiacal archer expressing directed power and joined animal-spiritual nature; traditions variously identify it with Nergal, a wild centaur, or Chiron.
why
Unable to escape the pain through death, he is said to give up his immortality, in some tellings trading it to free Prometheus from his own suffering, after which Zeus honors him by placing his image among the stars, generally identified with the constellation Centaurus or Sagittarius.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Front half back half different species hybrid
why
Cheiron is the immortal centaur son of Cronus and Philyra
- Hybrid of multiple animals
why
Cheiron is the immortal centaur son of Cronus and Philyra
Utility powers
- Healing
why
His expertise in healing is particularly emphasized, and he is sometimes credited as an originator of the medical arts later associated with his student Asclepius.
- Precognition
why
teaching skills that range from hunting and gymnastics to medicine, music, and prophecy.
- Knowledge bestowal
why
Cheiron's central role across the myths is as tutor to an extraordinary roster of gods and heroes.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Wise Old Man carries both readings
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 43.
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 1.
- Death meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 43.
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 1.
- Father meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 43.
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 1.
- Hero meets
4 citations
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Cheiron."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 43.
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 1.