Tychon

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Left image:
A depiction of Tychon, who holds spits in his hands as a sign of good luck
Right image:
Evil spirit with an evil eye

Tychon or Tykhon (Τυχων, Tykhôn = "producer") is the name of two minor deities in Greek mythology. One was a daemon of fertility, especially of male fertility, associated with Phales, Priapus and his mother Aphrodite.[1] He and his companions Orthanês and Konisalos were associated with Dionysos or with the Hermai (phallic statues of Hermes).[2] Although nowhere stated, his father was likely one of these two gods, who were half-siblings, sons of Zeus.

Another Tychon, a god of chance or accident,[1] is mentioned by the geographer Strabo, who stated that “Priapos... resembles the Attic deities Orthannes, Konisalos (Conisalus), Tykhon (Tychon), and others like them.”[3] He was worshipped at Athens.

The only known depiction of Tychon is now in Hatay Archaeology Museum, Turkey. He is shown as a boy with a semi-erect penis opposite the kakodaimon (evil spirit) and his evil eye.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Tychon
  2. Tykhôn and Orthanes. Theoi Project by Aaron Atsma.
  3. Strabo, Geography 13. 1. 12 (trans. Jones)