what is faun

A faun is a mythological creature that is part human and part goat, appearing in Greek and Roman mythology. It is similar to, but gentler than, the satyr in Roman mythology. The name "faun" is derived from Faunus, the name of an ancient Italic deity of forests, fields, and herds, who was associated with the Greek god Pan. Fauns are often depicted as two-footed creatures with the horns, legs, and tail of a deer and the head, torso, and arms of a human, and they are often depicted with pointed ears. They are symbols of peace and fertility, and their Greek chieftain, Silenus, was a minor deity of Greek mythology. In modern usage, a faun is an imaginary creature that is like a man with goats legs and horns.