Apollo, Orpheus, and the dolphins: Two faces of the masculine

The dolphin is the totem animal of both Apollo and Orpheus. The animal’s name in Greek, delphis, is pronounced like the word “uterus,” and like Delphes, the temple housing the oracle of Apollo. In Greek mythology, the dolphin is the symbol of the link between the heights of Olympus and the depths of Hades. Apollo, the musician, is an animus-god, full of power and dazzle. But he is fragile in the realm of emotion and unlucky in love. Orpheus, the visionary, is an animagod. His songs are so inspired, they make stones weep, but he lacks the courage to lead his Eurydice back to life. These two faces of the masculine still dwell in us today.