What Does Apollonian Mean
It is classified as Apollonian to that which is linked to Apollo , one of the most relevant gods in Greek mythology. The term derives from the Latin word Apollineus .
The adjective Apollonian, in this way, is used to refer to someone who has the main virtues attributed to Apollo , such as balance and serenity . It is common for the concept to be used in opposition to Dionysian (impetuous, impulsive).
Therefore, a dichotomy arises between the Apollonian and the Dionysian. This duality, developed in the field of philosophy , arose from "The Birth of Tragedy in the Spirit of Music" , a book written by the German thinker Friedrich Nietzsche .
In Nietzsche's work , Apollo (and the Apollonian) symbolizes the rational and the elevated, while Dionysus (the Dionysian) represents sensuality and the earthly. Thus there is an antagonism between the Apollonian and the Dionysian, although both ideas are considered indispensable in the development of any drama.
The Apollonian, on the other hand, is associated with the perfection of forms . That is why an Apollonian man stands out for the beauty of his body , like Apollo in his sculptures and representations.
It is important to mention that Apollo , son of Leto and Zeus and brother of Artemis , is one of the gods of Olympus . He is the chief of the muses and the patron of the Oracle of Delphi . From its myth, the notion of Apollonian refers to truth , harmony , poetry , clarity and beauty , for example.