Also called Chimaira.
Their story
The Chimera was a child of Typhon and Echidna, lion in front, snake behind and goat in the middle, breathing terrible fire. She ravaged Lycia until Bellerophon, riding Pegasus, shot her from the air. The Lycian Mount Chimaera, where natural gas fires still burn, was linked with her.
Best times to give to them
- When a problem seems made of too many parts
- None traditional
What they like being given
- None are traditional; a written list breaking a big fear into parts is fitting
- A candle lit while reading or retelling the story
How to honour them
- When overwhelmed, name each part of a problem separately, as the Chimera had separate heads.
- Remember Bellerophon won from above, with a new perspective.
How they can help you
- Tackling complex problems
- Fears that feel monstrous
Symbols
- lion's head
- goat's head
- serpent tail
- flame
Hesiod gives her three heads; Homer describes a single beast of three parts.
Sources
- Homer, Iliad 6.179-183
- Hesiod, Theogony 319-325
- Apollodorus, Library 2.3.1