Phanes
primordialΦάνης
First-born god of creation
Phanes was the Orphic god of creation, the first being to emerge from the cosmic egg — a radiant, winged, hermaphroditic deity.
The Myth
When Chronos and Ananke split the cosmic egg, Phanes burst forth in golden light. He had golden wings, heads of various animals, and both male and female natures. He created the other gods and set the universe in motion. Zeus eventually swallowed Phanes to incorporate all creation within himself.
Parents
Born from the Cosmic Egg
Children
Various gods of the Orphic pantheon
Symbols
golden wingscosmic egglightserpent
Fun Fact
The words "phenomenon," "epiphany," and "phantom" all derive from phaino, "to shine" — the same root as Phanes.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: