In many works of art, he’s purposely made to look ugly. Generally, he’s shown as a foreboding figure. He’s one of the oldest beings in Greek Mythology and predates more recognizable figures like Zeus and Hades.Ĭharon is a central figure in the art of Ancient Greece. The future ferryman was just one of many siblings. Charon’s parents were one of the first beings in existence, born out of Chaos to start the world anew. His father, Erebus, was the representation of darkness. Nyx was a shadowy figure who acted as the goddess of the night. Instead, they personified abstract concepts and symbolized fundamental forces.Ĭharon was the child of Nyx and Erebus. As a result, the primordial beings weren’t worshipped or given human-like characteristics. They represented fundamental forces and physical foundations of the world. The primordial deities were the first generation of gods and goddesses. This diety is the child of two primordial deities. His duty was to guide lost souls over the rivers Rivers Styx and Archeon in his skiff, allowing them to continue to Hades for judgment.

Many myths tell of heroes such as Odysseus, Dionysus, and Theseus journeying to the underworld and returning to the world of the living in Charon’s ferry. This coin was placed in the mouth of the deceased prior to burial. His fee for carrying the dead across the rivers to the underworld was a single coin, usually an obolus or danake. Those who passed away would have to cross the rivers Styx and Acheron to reach the underworld, and Charon would take them on this journey. Instead, he’s an underworld deity under the services of king Hades. Contrary to popular belief, Charon is not considered to be a god. An enigmatic character, Charon is present in many stories involving Greek gods. One of the most recognizable figures in Greek mythology is Charon, or (Kharon).

Kairon greek mythology