chimera
Also known as chimæra, chimaera
mythical or fictional animal with parts taken from various animals
AI overview
A chimera is a creature from mythology or fiction that combines body parts from different animals into a single being. It matters as a concept because it appears across many cultures' stories and has influenced how people imagine and create fantastical creatures in art, literature, and popular culture.
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Article
According to Greek mythology, the Chimera, Chimaera, Chimæra, or Khimaira (/kaɪˈmɪərə, kɪ-, -mɛər-/ ky-MEER-ə, kih-, -MAIR-; Ancient Greek: Χίμαιρα, romanized: Chímaira, lit. 'she-goat') was a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature from Lycia, Asia Minor, composed of different animal parts. Typically, it is depicted as a lion with a goat's head protruding from its back and a tail ending with a snake's head. Some representations also include dragon's wings. It was an offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of monsters like Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra.
The term "chimera" has come to describe any mythical or fictional creature with parts taken from various animals.