In ancient Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was a serpent-like, multi-headed monster that devastated the region of Lerna. The Hydra was so poisonous that even its breath killed all living things around it.
The creature had many heads: according to different versions of the myth, seven, nine, fifty, or even a hundred snake-like heads grew from a single body. The central head of the monster was immortal, while the others were mortal.
In later interpretations, the image of the Lernaean Hydra became a symbol of envy, war, discord, and other forms of evil that are difficult to defeat.
“And still I dare, at the risk of being named A jester, a fool, a clown in disguise, By night and by day I repeat the same: Do not, people, live in fear. Do not hide.
Do not fear the prison, nor poverty’s sack, Do not fear the plague or hunger’s demand — Fear only the one, and only that kind, Who says: “I know how it must be done.”
Who says: “Come follow me, people, come, I’ll teach you all how it must be done.”
And scattering like a petty demon loose, Swearing his love to every soul, He’ll march across the land in iron boots And drown it whole in blood and coal.
He’ll lie such lies, he’ll spin such tales, Weaving a story so vast, so deep, That more than once, in the barrack’s wail, You’ll curse that tale in an hour of grief.”
Alexander Galich “Don’t Be Afraid, People” (Translation from Russian Language by AI)
__ Art is Hand-drawn in Procreate
