Satyr facts for kids

Walter Crane's illustration of the fable of "The Satyr and the Peasant" from Baby's Own Aesop (London, 1887)

A satyr is a fascinating creature from Greek mythology. Imagine a being that is half human and half goat! Satyrs usually have the upper body of a person but the legs and sometimes the tail of a goat. They also often have small horns on their heads.

Satyrs were often seen as friends and companions of the Greek gods Dionysus, who was the god of wine and celebrations, and Pan, the god of the wild and shepherds. In ancient art, satyrs are often shown enjoying nature and being playful. They were connected to the wild outdoors and the idea of new life and growth.

What Are Satyrs Like?

Satyrs are known for their love of music, dancing, and fun. They often played musical instruments like the aulos (a type of flute) and enjoyed lively parties. They lived in forests, mountains, and wild places, making them true spirits of nature.

Satyrs in Stories

In many ancient Greek stories, satyrs are shown as mischievous but generally friendly. They sometimes played tricks on people but were rarely truly harmful. They were often depicted with nymphs, who were beautiful female spirits of nature. Satyrs and nymphs were seen as part of the lively, untamed world of the Greek countryside.

How Satyrs Looked

While their main features were human and goat-like, the exact way satyrs were shown changed over time. Early Greek art sometimes showed them as older, hairy men with flat noses and pointed ears. Later, they were often depicted as younger, more handsome figures, still with their goat legs and small horns. This shows how myths and their characters can evolve in art and stories.

Images for kids

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  According to M. L. West, satyrs are similar to creatures in other old myths, like the Slavic lešiy (pictured).

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  This ancient Greek satyr wears a simple loincloth and carries a shepherd's crook. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.

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  A bearded satyr from Roman pottery, pouring from a wine-skin.

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  A medieval drawing of a satyr from the Aberdeen Bestiary. In the Middle Ages, satyrs were sometimes mixed up with "wild men" of Europe.

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  A scene from the 1917 silent film Il Fauno, about a statue of a faun that comes to life.

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  Satyr and Pan by Cory Kilvert, from Life magazine in 1923.

See also

In Spanish: Sátiro para niños