Phanus

Phanus was also an Argonaut. With his brothers Staphylus and Oenopion he was the son of Dionysus and Ariadne. His name appears to mean 'torch' (phanos), which does not accord with the 'winy' names of his brothers and his father.

Perhaps it makes more sense to base the name less narrowly and to look for its origin in phaino, 'to show', 'display', 'be clear', 'shine forth'. This could relate to the colour or 'glow' of grapes or wine. It could also, of course, be merely a favourable name.

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