Up: [[Mythology and Fairy Tales]] Created: 2022-06-15 ![[Proteus, Sea God.webp]] ##### Illustration is from [historia deorum fatidicorum](https://dia.pitts.emory.edu/dia/image_details.cfm?ID=122951) by Pierre Mussard Proteus got his name from the Greek word proton meaning ‘first’. He was one of the first sea gods, son of Oceanus and Tethys (Ocean and River). He’s a god of the sea and also of seers because he was fully knowledgeable of past, present and future, although he was [reluctant to share his knowledge](https://www.ancientpages.com/2020/01/17/proteus-prophetic-greek-sea-god-who-knew-all-things-past-present-and-future/) In the image, the urn with flames is probably for sacrifice. The sphinx at his feet is a sea monster, maybe representing primordial chaos. It, the serpent, [[dragon]] and bird are all [[Symbols]] of prophecy. Many of the images of Proteus show him like Neptune, with a mermaid tail rather than feet as befitting a sea god. This image is in the Public Domain. It is by Andrea Alciato from **The Book of Emblems**, 1531. ![[Proteus 1531 public domain.webp]] Proteus was a shapeshifter who could assume many different forms. So there’s now the noun ‘proteus’ and the adjective ‘protean’ to refer to someone who can easily change their form, character, principles etcetera. Some who is changeable is said to have a Protean nature. The exact opposite of authentic!