What is the totem or symbol for the Greek demigod Achilles?
I scoured the internet and more than a few of my books on Greek mythology and found…. nothing. Apparently, Achilles was not important enough to have a symbol/totem. At least, not that modern scholars are aware of. This is not surprising, though, since symbols were usually reserved for immortals – and even then, generally only the prominent ones such as the Olympian gods. Although Achilles’ mom was the goddess Thetis, Achilles himself was mortal. Although she had tried to make him invulnerable by dipping him into the river Styx, she missed his heel that she was holding him by. He died during the Trojan War after being hit in that heel. While his name has stayed famous due to its usage in the phrase “Achilles’ heel” (meaning someone’s vulnerable spot), I would not characterize it as his “symbol.” On another note, I originally believed you had mischaracterized Achilles by calling him a demigod (since he was not immortal). However, you are right. While demigod is often used to refer to a
