Pan is a figure from Greek mythology who is often depicted as a satyr, a creature with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a goat. He is the god of the wild, shepherds, flocks, rustic music, and the countryside. Pan's appearance with his goat legs and horns represents the untamed and wild aspects of nature.
Pan's parentage varies in different accounts, but he is most commonly described as the son of Hermes, the messenger god, and a nymph named Dryope or sometimes Penelope. He was born with the lower body of a goat and is said to have frightened his mother upon seeing him, leading to the origin of the word "panic."
Pan was a mischievous and playful deity, often found wandering through the forests and mountains, playing his reed pipes (known as panpipes or syrinx) and causing joyful revelry among nymphs and shepherds. Despite his playful nature, Pan was known to be easily angered and had the power to induce sudden fear, which was known as "panic."
The god Pan played a significant role in various myths and stories, but over time, his significance waned with the rise of other gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. Nevertheless, his image and symbolism have persisted through history, influencing art, literature, and even giving rise to the term "pan" for various natural phenomena and landscapes, such as "panoramic" views.