Origin: Greek Mythology
History: Chimera, or "young she-goat" as the name means, was a mix of a lion, goat, and a snake. Her head was that of the lion, tail is that of the snake, and body is that of a goat.1 Sometimes this creature is depicted with dragon wings, and other times it has three heads (one of a lion, another of a goat, another of a serpent) as in Hesoid's Theogony.2
The hydra was one of Chimera's siblings, along with Cerberus and the Nemean Lion. Her parents were Echidne and Typhon. She was the "pet" of the king Caria. A less than pleasant creature, the Chimera then tourmented the town of Lycia. Her breath was fiery, and almost none could defeat her. Thus, King Proetos pleaded with Bellerophon to slay the beast.3
Bellerophon, working with his fantastical winged horse, Pegasus, agree to carry out this duty. In one version, he flies over the creature and shots arrows at it.4 In another verion, he uses a block of lead and thrusts it into his throat using a spear. This brings about the end of the beast via suffication, as the lead is melted by his fiery breath.5
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: This creature has the head of the lion, and sometimes has the full frontal body of a lion. In addition, it has a head of a goat and the tail of a dragon or snake.6 It is sometimes depicted with dragon wings and other times is depicted with three heads.7
- The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts by Joseph Nigg
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts by Joseph Nigg
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Chimaera: The Origins of the Myth
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 2 October 2009