The Story of Chronos
Chronos was the primordial god of time in the Orphic tradition, a set of mystical beliefs linked to the legendary singer Orpheus. He should not be confused with the Titan Cronus, the father of Zeus. Their names sound alike, and even ancient writers sometimes mixed them up.
Orphic texts describe Chronos as a great winged serpent with three heads, those of a bull, a lion and a god. He was paired with Ananke, the goddess of necessity, and the two were said to coil around the world. In Orphic accounts of creation, Chronos produced a silver egg in the vast darkness, and from it hatched Phanes, the shining god who brought the universe into being.
Chronos had no temples or cult in everyday Greek religion, since he belonged mainly to the world of Orphic poems and philosophy. His name is the Greek word for time, and it lives on in words like chronology and chronic. In later art, he became the model for Father Time, the old man with a long beard who carries an hourglass.
Famous Myths About Chronos
The Cosmic Egg
In Orphic accounts of creation, Chronos arose at the beginning and produced a silver egg in the vast darkness. From it hatched Phanes, the shining god who brought the universe into being.
Chronos's Family Tree
Parents of Chronos
Wife of Chronos
Children of Chronos
Frequently Asked Questions About Chronos
Who is Chronos in Greek mythology?
Chronos is the primordial personification of time, who plays a major role in Orphic accounts of creation.
What does Chronos look like?
Orphic texts describe Chronos as a great serpent with three heads, those of a bull, a lion and a god. He is paired with Ananke, the goddess of necessity.
Is Chronos the same as Cronus?
No. Chronos is the primordial god of time, while Cronus is the Titan father of Zeus. Their names sound alike, and later writers often mixed them up.
