Pan — the God of Forests, Shepherds, and Hunters
- Main
- >
- Greek Mythology
- >
- Greek Pantheons of the Gods
- >
- Pan
PanPan is the god of forests, shepherds, and hunters in Greek mythology. He was depicted with goat legs, a hairy human body, horns, and a beard. He was known for his cheerful nature, his love of life, his passion for wine, and his frenzied pursuit of nymphs.
PanOnce, Pan fell in love with the nymph Syrinx, and gave her no peace, pursuing her relentlessly for a long time. The nymph didn't know how to escape him, until she hid in the river Ladon and transformed into reeds. Pan was heartbroken, and in her memory, he cut several reeds, fashioned them into seven pipes, and bound them together. This wind instrument became beloved among shepherds and came to be called the syrinx, the pan-pipes, or the Pan flute. After this, Pan played the instrument constantly.
Related Articles
