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In Greek mythology, the centaurs are a race of mythical creatures that are half human and half horse. In early Attic vase-paintings, they are depicted as the head and torso of a man with his waist joined to the horse's withers, where the horse's neck would be. This human and animal combination has led many writers to treat them as "liminal" beings, caught between the two natures of feral animalism and cogent humanity.

While generally associated with barbarous behavior, notorious for being overly indulgent drinkers, given to violence when intoxicated, and generally uncultured, even in Greek mythology a well-known centaur (Chiron) was intelligent, civilized, and kind. Thus, at least in some writers' hopes, and noticeably more so in modern fantasy writings, the centaur can overcome his baser instincts and rise to the level of enlightened humanity, symbolizing the raising of human consciousness to the level of maturity where living for the sake of others triumphs over self-interest.