Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

chthonic

Adjective

/ˈθɒnɪk/

Definition

Related to or situated in the underworld; specifically associated with the earth.

Examples

The ancient Greeks revered chthonic gods such as Hades and Persephone.
Chthonic creatures are often depicted in folklore as lurking beneath the surface.
In literature, chthonic themes frequently explore the nature of death and the afterlife.

Meaning

The term ‘chthonic’ refers to deities or spirits of the underworld in ancient mythology, or more generally to anything that is subterranean or linked to the earth.