Pan


Pan is a Greco-Roman God (Roman name: Faunus) who was worshipped between 800 BCE – 400 CE (Christianization). He is Arcadian, originating in the mountains of Peloponnese. Because his followers were so highly civilized, we have many written records of Pan and his legends. In fact there are several versions of just about everything written about him, including 14 versions of his mythology, written after 490 BCE, and at least 20 versions of his birth.

He was born on Mount Lycaeum – that seems to be a common fact. But to whom? Although there is some allusion to Zeus or Apollo as the father, by far the most popular choice is Hermes. Now the mother is another matter. Choices are: Penelope-Daughter of Dryopos, Thymbris, Penelope, Kallisto, or Orneios. Penelope-daughter of Dryopos is by far the most accepted choice. The story goes like this:
Penelope, daughter of Dryopos, bore Hermes a son with goat’s feet, horns, a full beard, and covered with hair. (The explanation for his physical appearance may lie in the legend that Penelope was raped by Hermes while he was in the form of a billy goat! Shape-shifting was quite common amongst the Gods.)

Pan was a noisy, merry, laughing child at birth, but his looks frightened his Nurse (some sources say his mother) and she abandoned him and fled. Whereupon his father, Hermes, picked him up in his arms, wrapped him in the skins of mountain hares, and took him directly to Zeus, who promptly showed him to all of the other Gods. They were all delighted with him – especially Dionysus.

Dionysus’ special fondness for Pan is not surprising considering the fact that Pan was very Satyr-like. Satyrs are deities of the woods and mountains which are half human and half beast. They typically have the horns, flanks, tail and hooves of a goat, and are known companions of Dionysus. They spend most of their time drinking, dancing, and fornicating.

In addition to the physical description already given, Pan was a diminutive man with a snub nose, pointed ears and a very prominent chin. He also had long unkempt hair and was always naked, presumably because of his close association with nature. But also because of an incident involving Hercules and the Lydian Queen Omphale, who came to a cave while supper was being prepared, and swapped clothing. After the meal they fell asleep still in each others clothing, and were seen by Pan as they slept. Pan, being Pan, tried to "lie" with the one he thought was the "girl." Needless to say he was not warmly welcomed by Hercules (although I have heard stories … ) who proceeded to kick Pan across the room! Pan got even by spreading rumors that Hercules was a transvestite! And to avoid a possible recurrence of this situation, Pan insisted from that time forward that his followers, the Luperci, be naked at the ceremonies – in case of further painful mistakes!

Pan was also very well endowed, and was quite often represented in ithyphallic form (with a full erection). One Greek vase even shows his large member caught in a trap meant for wild animals! He was usually portrayed as a very swift runner who climbed rocks with ease. He was usually seen carrying a shepherd’s crook in one hand, his Pan Pipes in the other, and wearing a garland of pine boughs around his neck. The most commonly accepted definition of the name "Pan" is "All." This is usually interpreted to mean "symbol of the universe," "personification of Nature," or "representative of ALL of the Gods." However there are those, including myself, who do not agree with this theory. We believe that the name "Pan" does NOT mean "All" although this meaning was so often applied to his name that it gained a certain degree of authority through repeated use, and is certainly an accepted definition of the word today. Rather, the name "Pan" may have been derived from the Greek work "paein," which means "herdsman" or "pasture." I think this interpretation makes much more sense.

Another word which is closely associated with Pan is "panic." There are actually two interpretations of this word. One is that Pan would cause a sudden horrific noise, causing "panic." Pan used this weapon quite effectively against the Titans when he was fighting with the Olympians. He invented a type of trumpet made from a sea shell which, when he blew on it, raised such a frightful noise the Titans withdrew, thinking a terrible monster was after them.

The other "Panic" which Pan caused was a very quiet one, by contrast. The lonely traveler, walking through the woods at night, would suddenly become very frightened for no apparent reason, and would experience a "panic terror."

Many books on mythology classify Pan as a "lesser God" – greater than humans, but "inferior" to the "greater Gods." This was perhaps because Pan was not immortal, and was never allowed on Mount Olympus. Those who worshipped him did NOT see him that way, however. And there were MANY worshippers – so many that the Christians had to demonize him, and suppress or absorb his beliefs. Although referred to by the Gods as a "newcomer," he was actually one of the most ancient of Gods. Pan may have been one of the male consorts of the Mother Goddess, and her Overlord of Nature and Lord of Beasts.

Some of the symbolism which is ascribed to Pan is as follows:
"The horns of Pan are like the rays of the sun and the horns of the moon; his face is ruddy, in imitation of the aether; he has spotted faun-like skin on his breast, in likeness of the stars; his lower parts are shaggy, on account of the trees, shrubs, and wild beasts; he has goat’s feet, to denote the stability of the earth; he has pipes of seven reeds, on account of the harmony of the heavens, in which there are seven sounds; he has a crook, that is a curved staff, on account of the year, which runs back on itself, because he is God of all Nature." [www.belinus.co.uk/mythology/GreatGodPan.htm]

"From the waist downwards, Pan is the very representation of nature, of the woods and the trees, man’s lower nature. But as we look above, he has become the man of strength but also of sensitivity. His love of music, his often hopeless pursuit of the Nymphs…And his horns, symbols both of power and the symbol of his divinity and connection to the universe. As above, so below." [www.belinus.co.uk/mythology/GreatGodPan.htm]

Pans nature and temperament are complex and often hidden – the mask beneath the mask. Socrates refers to Pan as "the double-natured son of Hermes." His piping can be as soft and seductive as a gentle breeze, but when angered, his bellow and howl can be heard for miles. He is jolly…and he is terrifying, for his temper is great! He can be unpredictable and is not tameable or capable of being confined.

Another example of his unpredictability: Pan usually slept in the noon-day sun. He would get very upset if disturbed from his sleep by an unwary traveller – yet he was normally very friendly to strangers, 1) helping lost travellers find their way home, 2) helping hunters track wild beasts, and 3) rescuing sailors from a becalmed ship.

His lust for Nymphs (beautiful young female spirits), Naiads (Nymphs of springs), Dryads (Nymphs of trees), and Oreads (Nymphs of the mountains) is legendary. But when he was thwarted in his amorous pursuits the results could be tragic. Here are but two examples:

1) Pan attempted to pursue Echo, who rejected him and fled from him. Pan caused such a "Panic" amongst the shepherds that they tore her to pieces, leaving only her voice untouched. From that day onward she was only a voice – and was allowed only to repeat the last words spoken to her.

2) Syrinx, a lovely Nymph devoted to Artemis, rejected the advances of the woodland spirits but caught the eye of Pan, who chased her. She ran until stopped by a river, whereupon she begged her sister Nymphs to change her form. They did so, and when Pan thought he had caught her, he held in his hand instead some marsh reeds. When he sighed, the moving winds began to utter plaintive music in the reeds. The sound was so sweet that Pan uttered, "Forever this discovery shall remain a sweet communion binding thee to me." He then joined together reeds of different lengths with beeswax and created the Syrinx or Pan Pipes. [Ovid: Metamorphoses]

Pan was known to court beautiful young boys as well. One such boy was Daphnis, whom Pan taught to "play his pipes". Pan came by his musical abilities naturally. His father, Hermes, was a great musician. Pan played his pipes to raise the North Winds, and to charm both Gods and humans. It is said he could play so sweetly the birds would stop their singing to listen.

Pan once challenged Apollo to a musical competition. King Midas was appointed judge. Apollo played his lyre and Pan played his pipes. After hearing both, Midas declared Pan the winner, whereupon the enraged Apollo shouted, "You will have ears to match the mind you have in judging." He then caused poor Midas’ ears to grow long and pointed, like those of an ass. Midas tried to hide his ears under a turban, but to no avail. Despite all of his amorous adventures, Pan was a family man. By his wife, Aix, he had 12 goat-legged sons (called Panes). She bore a 13th son named Aigipan who was actually fathered by Zeus.

No temples were built to worship Pan. His natural temples were caves, and grottos, and quiet sanctuaries in wild places or by cool streams. He is often described as wandering amongst the wooded mountains and valleys and taking part in the chase, like Herne the Hunter. There is even a shrine to Pan hidden away in a shallow cave under the Acropolis, in a suitable wild and unkempt place.

Because he lived in the mountains and forests with the goats, and not on Olympus, the common people identified with him more than with any other God. He was not particularly liked by the other Gods, however.

A typical day in the life of Pan consisted of wondering the hills, mountains, and forests – slaying wild beasts. Noon was nap-time. Evening consisted of playing sweetly on his pipes and frolicking with the singing Nymphs, and perhaps causing some panic amongst travellers wandering through the woods late at night.

The complexity of Pan can readily be seen in the variety of things of which he was a God:
Nature – protector of male animals, shepherds, flocks, smaller animals, bee keeping, wolves, green pastures, growth, forests, wild places, the sea; Things Sexual – fertility, earthiness, fornication, unbridled male sexuality, carnal desire; The Arts – music, dance; The Male Counterpart of Hekate – the wild things in us all, good journey, prophesy (Pan is said to have taught Apollo the Art of Prophesy), Keeper of Summerland, death and rebirth. He is Gwern, oldest of the Gods, and Lugh is his solar self.

Pan liked noise and merriment, orgies, sportive dances, singing and playing with the nymphs, playing his pipes, high-pitched songs, and music in general, Crocuses, and Hyacinths.

Things which were Sacred to him include: pine trees, fir trees, oak trees, plants of the meadows, perfumes of cedar and balsom, and Mount Lampeia.

His festivals include an Annual Arcadian Festival in his honor in which young men ran about naked for sport and wontonness. This festival often included sacrifices and races with torches (another tie to Hekate?). The festivals usually ended with feasting and orgy. (One must realize that the original meaning of the term "orgy" was to celebrate life and rebirth and to stimulate Nature to give of its best – not the Christian’s evil connotations that it has today.) Pan’s festivals were closely associated with those of Dionysus – God of Wine and Fertility – and were later absorbed into his rites.

It is easy to see where Christianity gets its "Devil." For Pan (and also Cernunnos) stood for everything that the Christians were against – love of life, fun, dancing, sex, etc. Thus the physical image of a "Devil" with horns, a tail, a goatee, and even the pitch fork (shepherd’s staff) was easily recognizable to any pagan as one of their chief Gods.

In all of Greek mythology there is but one legend concerning the death of a God – and that God is Pan. The legend goes like this:

A freight ship carrying many passengers was sailing near the island of Paxi, when a voice from the island called to the Egyptian pilot, Thamus. This was quite unusual, because hardly anyone on board the ship even knew the pilot’s name! Twice he was called and made no reply, but the third time he answered; and the caller, raising his voice, said "When you sail by Palodes, announce aloud that Great Pan is dead."…Under the circumstances Thamus made up his mind that if there was a breeze he would sail on by and say nothing. But if there was no wind and a calm sea, he would repeat what he had heard. When he came opposite Palodes there was no wind or wave – so Thamus repeated what he had heard –"Great God Pan is dead." Even before the last word had left his lips there arose from the island a great cry of grief not of one person but of many, mingled with exclamations of dismay. [Plutarch – de defectu oraculorum, 419b-e]

Another famous poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, also wrote a poem about Pan’s death. It is entitled "The Dead Pan’ and contains 39 verses. This is the Pan of history and of legend – and all that is written here is true. But over the years I have gotten to know Pan in a different way – on a much more personal level. I cannot tell all that I know, for some things between my God and me are extremely personal. But I can tell you that Pan can be extremely loving and caring towards those who worship him. The Great God Pan is Alive! He is very much alive – and always will be, so long as there are those who will remember him and worship him.

Lift us, mighty Pan
Come near, excite us.
Give us creative power
And freedom from fear.
IO Pan, Pan, Pan!
IO Pan, Pan.
IO Pan

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