A faun is a mythological creature that is part human and part deer or goat. In Roman mythology, fauns were associated with pasture lands outside urban settlements and were lesser versions of their chief, the god Faunus. Originally, fauns were depicted as ghosts of rustic places, but by the Renaissance, they were depicted as two-footed creatures with the horns, legs, and tail of a deer and the head, torso, and arms of a human. They were often depicted with pointed ears and were symbols of peace and fertility. Fauns were also known to be compassionate and love to entertain lost travelers by playing the flute and telling jokes. They are offspring and servants of the deities Faun and his female counterpart Fauna. In popular culture, fauns have appeared in various forms of media, such as novels, video games, and TV shows.