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Echidna (mythology) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Echidna (from the Greek word for "Snake") was a famous monster in Greek mythology. She was a strange and powerful creature, half woman and half serpent.

Who Was Echidna?

Echidna was known as a fearsome monster. Her name itself means "snake" in Greek, which perfectly describes her lower body. She was often shown as a beautiful woman from the waist up, but with the body of a giant snake below.

Echidna's Family

The stories about Echidna's parents are a bit different depending on which ancient writer you read.

  • Some myths say her parents were the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto.
  • Other myths say her parents were Tartarus (a deep, dark place in the underworld) and Gaia (who was Mother Earth).

Echidna married a terrifying monster named Typhon. Typhon was said to have 100 heads and was one of the most dangerous creatures in Greek myths.

Echidna's Monstrous Children

Echidna and Typhon had many famous and scary children. These offspring became some of the most well-known monsters in Greek mythology.

  • Ladon: This was a dragon who guarded the precious Golden Apples of the Hesperides.
  • The Dragon of the Golden Fleece: Another powerful dragon, this one protected the magical Golden Fleece.
  • The Hydra: A terrifying water monster with many heads. If you cut off one head, two more would grow back!
  • The Chimera: A strange creature that was part lion, part goat, and part snake. It could breathe fire.
  • Orthus: A two-headed dog.
  • Cerberus: A huge, three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to the underworld, making sure no one left without permission.

Some of Echidna's grandchildren were also famous monsters. Orthus, her son, was the father of:

  • The Sphinx: A creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird. She was famous for asking riddles.
  • The Nemean Lion: A giant, super-strong lion whose fur was so tough that no weapon could pierce it.

Images for kids

  • Orthos Staatliche Antikensammlungen 2620

    Orthrus

  • Cerberus-Blake

    Cerberus, guarding the gluttons in Dante's Third Circle of Hell. Artwork by William Blake.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Equidna (mitología) para niños

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