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Charon

Charon

4 9.9
A person who carries the dead across a river to the underworld
  • proper noun
  • /ˈkɛrən/
  • Literature
: Carón
  • Charon is the ferryman of the dead.
  • Charon and Pluto

Examples

  • In Greek and Roman mythology... when you died, you'd have to pay the toll to Charon... the boatman who ferried you across to the Gates of Judgment.

  • For you'll soon need it to pay passage to Charon to cross the river Styx.

  • "If they had money to pay for their fare, Charon sent them across.

  • Charon only ferries the dead.

  • We wait for Charon.

  • In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman who transports souls across the river Styx.

  • Many ancient Greeks believed that Charon required payment for his services during the journey to the underworld.

  • According to legend, Charon would only ferry souls who had received proper burial rites.

Surface Forms

Charon main

Etymology

Charon comes from Greek myth and names the old 'boatman' who carried souls across the river Styx to the underworld. People often left a coin with the dead as payment to him, so think of Charon as the ferry driver who takes the dead to the other side.