Oneiroi facts for kids
The Oneroi (Greek: dreams) were special beings in Greek mythology. They were the sons of Hypnos, who was the god of sleep. The Oneroi were like the living forms of dreams themselves.
Contents
The Oneroi: Gods of Dreams
Who Were the Oneroi?
The Oneroi were a group of brothers who represented different kinds of dreams. Their father was Hypnos, the god of sleep. They were seen as the actual spirits or forms of dreams that people experience when they sleep. The most famous Oneroi were Morpheus, Phobetor (also called Ikelos), and Phantasos.
Where Did the Oneroi Live?
These dream-bringers lived in mysterious caves far to the west. Their home was close to the gates of the Underworld, the land of the dead. From this place, they were sent out to people's minds through two special gates:
- One gate was made of shiny horn. Dreams that came through this gate were true or prophetic. This means they showed things that would really happen.
- The other gate was made of beautiful ivory. Dreams that passed through this gate were false and didn't mean anything important.
What Did the Oneroi Look Like?
The Oneroi were often shown as dark, winged daemons. They could fly and move silently, bringing dreams to sleeping people.
Morpheus and His Brothers
Among the Oneroi, Morpheus was the most powerful. While his brothers, Phobetor and Phantasos, helped shape parts of dreams, Morpheus was in charge of the dream as a whole.
- Morpheus was responsible for creating human figures in dreams. If you dreamed of a person, Morpheus likely shaped that part of your dream. He is still a well-known figure in stories and movies today.
- Phobetor (or Ikelos) shaped animal figures in dreams. If you saw creatures in your sleep, Phobetor was at work.
- Phantasos created inanimate objects in dreams. This means he shaped things that aren't alive, like rocks, trees, or buildings.
Another Oneiros?
In some myths, there was another character named Oneiros. He was said to be one of the sons of the famous hero Achilles and a woman named Deidamia.
See also
In Spanish: Oniros para niños
