In Greek mythology, Cerberus, the multi-headed hound of Hades, is best known for being captured by Heracles as his twelfth and final labor.
He had an impressive appearance; his body was covered in snakes, and he had a serpent for a tail. Cerberus was said to have three heads and the power to prevent the dead from leaving the Underworld.
He was sired by monsters Echidna and Typhon and was considered so powerful that only one man could tame him: the hero Heracles, otherwise known as Hercules.
For this reason, Cerberus holds a special place in mythological stories about strength, courage, and overcoming obstacles.
The origin of the name ‘Cerberus’ is unclear, despite numerous attempts by scholars to draw an Indo-European etymology. Lincoln (1991) has noted critiques on this particular type of etymology, and Mayrhofer proposed an Austro-Asiatic basis for Cerberus, while Beekes rejected the proposition altogether.
Further explorations suggested a relation between Cerberus and Norse myths’ Garmr, both being derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ger-“to growl.”
However, Ogden observes that a comparison between these two names would require them to draw from different sources – making the comparison inconclusive.
Thus, the etymology of Cerberus continues to be an unresolved mystery.
Cerberus, most famously known for being the three-headed guard dog of the underworld, has been the focus of much debate when it comes to his true origin.
While most do not believe he is actually Greek, there have been several attempts to connect him to Hellenic mythology. Servius proposed an etymology based on a word meaning “flesh-devouring”; however, Ogden ultimately rejected this.
An alternate suggested origin linking Cerberus to the phrase “Ker berethrou” or “evil of the pit” is also frequently referenced. While usually depicted as having three heads, descriptions of Cerberus vary, and sometimes he appears with more heads or less.
Interestingly, there are even references made in Hellenic texts to various other multi-headed creatures that may have been related to Cerberus.
Cerberus, who was the brother of three other multi-headed monsters and the son of multi-snake-headed Typhon, is often characterized as having multiple heads.
While there are rare exceptions to this, Cerberus’ symbol is most closely associated with his multiple heads, which have been depicted in classical art and modern Film and literature.
His three heads have come to represent a powerful symbol that guards against evil and reminds us of the incredible strength of the divine.