ΞΥΝΩΡΙΣ
The xynoris, literally a pair of yoked horses, acquires profound philosophical significance in Plato, particularly in the allegory of the soul in the Phaedrus. There, the soul is likened to a charioteer guiding two winged horses — one noble and one ignoble — symbolizing the conflicting forces that drive human beings. Its lexarithmos (1620) suggests a complex unity, where harmony arises from the coexistence of disparate elements.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ξυνωρίς (or synoris) is “a pair of horses yoked together, especially for a chariot.” The word derives from the prefix σύν- (together) and ὦρος, which is likely related to the verb ἄρω (“to fit, to join”). Thus, ξυνωρίς literally describes a harmonious or functional connection of two entities.
Its primary usage pertains to the world of chariots and horse racing in ancient Greece, where the ability of the two horses to cooperate was crucial for success. However, the word's significance soars in philosophical discourse, primarily through Plato.
In the Phaedrus, Plato employs the xynoris as a central metaphor for the human soul. The soul is likened to a charioteer driving two winged horses: one is noble, obedient, and tends towards the divine, while the other is unruly, disobedient, and drawn to earthly desires. The xynoris here symbolizes the internal duality and the struggle for balance and control over the conflicting forces that constitute human existence.
Etymology
The root *ar- (from ἄρω) is productive in the Greek language, generating words related to connection, adaptation, and harmony. The addition of the prefix σύν- reinforces the notion of coexistence or joint action. Thus, the family of ξυνωρίς includes words that describe both the act of joining and its results, such as the components of a union or a vehicle composed of connected parts.
Main Meanings
- A pair of yoked horses — The primary and literal meaning, referring to two horses paired together to pull a chariot or other vehicle.
- A two-horse chariot — An extension of the meaning to describe the chariot itself, drawn by such a pair.
- Generally, a pair, a duality — Metaphorical use for any couple of similar or complementary elements.
- Philosophical allegory of the soul (Plato) — The most famous usage, where the xynoris symbolizes the two conflicting aspects of the soul (rational and appetitive/spirited) under the control of the charioteer (the rational faculty).
- Cooperative unity — The idea of two parts working together for a common purpose, whether harmoniously or with internal conflict.
- Dual nature — Reference to anything composed of two distinct but connected parts, often with the implication of internal tension or balance.
Word Family
syn-ar- (from the verb ἄρω, 'to fit, to join')
The root *ar- (from the verb ἄρω) in Ancient Greek carries the primary meaning of “to fit, to join, to adapt.” When combined with the prefix σύν- (“together, in common”), it forms a family of words that describe union, connection, and harmonious coexistence or cooperation. Xynoris is a characteristic example of this root, describing a pair that has been “fitted together.” This family highlights the Greek conception of structure and composition, from physical objects to abstract notions of harmony and order.
Philosophical Journey
The word ξυνωρίς, though not particularly frequent in ancient Greek literature, gains pivotal importance through its philosophical use, especially by Plato.
In Ancient Texts
The most iconic use of xynoris is found in Plato, where the word emerges as a powerful philosophical tool.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΞΥΝΩΡΙΣ is 1620, from the sum of its letter values:
1620 decomposes into 1600 (hundreds) + 20 (tens) + 0 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΞΥΝΩΡΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1620 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 9 | 1+6+2+0 = 9 — The Ennead, the number of completion, wisdom, and divine order, reflecting the soul's striving for perfection. |
| Letter Count | 7 | 7 letters — The Heptad, the number of spiritual perfection and completion, symbolizing the complex nature of the soul and the search for harmony. |
| Cumulative | 0/20/1600 | Units 0 · Tens 20 · Hundreds 1600 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | Ξ-Υ-Ν-Ω-Ρ-Ι-Σ | Xenon Yli Nous Os Roi Ideas Sofias (interpretive: Foreign Matter of Mind as Flow of Idea of Wisdom) |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 2S · 2M | 3 vowels (Υ, Ω, Ι), 2 semivowels/liquids/nasals (Ν, Ρ), 2 mutes/stops (Ξ, Σ) — indicating a balanced yet dynamic composition. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Sun ☉ / Aries ♈ | 1620 mod 7 = 3 · 1620 mod 12 = 0 |
Isopsephic Words (1620)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1620) as xynoris, but from different roots, offer interesting parallels and contrasts.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 69 words with lexarithmos 1620. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a revised Supplement. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
- Plato — Phaedrus. Translated by H. N. Fowler. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1914.
- Plato — Phaedrus. Edited with introduction and commentary by C. J. Rowe. Cambridge University Press, 1986.
- Dodds, E. R. — The Greeks and the Irrational. University of California Press, 1951.
- Ferrari, G. R. F. — Listening to the Cicadas: A Study of Plato's Phaedrus. Cambridge University Press, 1987.
- Xenophon — On Horsemanship. Translated by E. C. Marchant. Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1925.