Hydra
/ˈhaɪ.drə/noun
A many-headed serpent from Greek mythology, often associated with the underworld and regeneration.
Did you know?In alchemical traditions, the Hydra symbolizes the many facets of transformation, embodying both danger and rebirth, much like the process of spiritual awakening.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὕδρας (húdras)
“A water serpent, especially referencing the multi-headed monster in the Labors of Hercules.”
Middle Ages
Latin
hydra
“A legendary water creature, often depicted in bestiaries as a symbol of evil or chaos.”
Renaissance
Latin
hydra
“Reintroduced in literature and art as a symbol of the monstrous and the grotesque.”
Modern English
English
Hydra
“Adopted into English to refer to the mythological creature and its symbolic representations.”
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