One of the most beautiful examples of Greek art found in our area is undoubtedly the damaged relief of the Greek god Kairos from the 4th century BC. It is now preserved in the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Trogir as part of the “Kairos” art collection.
It was found in the attic of a house once owned by the Statilić (Statileo) family, who produced a series of dignitaries, diplomats, artists connected to the Hungarian-Croatian court, and world travelers. Therefore, it is presumed that one of them found this relief somewhere in the world and brought it to Trogir.
This depiction is believed to be the closest to the bronze statue of Kairos made by Lysippos, Zeus’ youngest son. Unfortunately, the statue has not been preserved over the centuries, and today we only know it from descriptions in old written documents. It portrayed the god of the opportune moment as a young man with wings, standing on a sphere with a razor in his hand. In later times, he was depicted as a young man with abundant, short-cropped hair, holding scales in his hand. It was believed that Kairos vigilantly observed the moment. in balance, a favorable position – a moment of happiness. p>
The epigram of the Greek poet Posidippus is the most complete preserved source that can help us unravel Kairos’ enigmatic appearance. The epigram is written in the form of a dialogue between the observer and the statue itself. In translation, it goes something like this: p>
Where does the sculptor come from?
From Sikyon.
What is his name?
Lysippos.
And you, who are you?
Kairos, I surpass everything.
Why do you walk on tiptoes?
I am always in a hurry.
Wings on your feet even?
I am faster than the wind.
Why do you grip the razor with your right hand so tightly?
To warn people that I am sharper than the razor blade.
Why does a strand of hair fall down your face?
Let anyone who stands in my way grab it!
And why are you bald from behind?
No matter how great the desire, the one I fly over will not catch me.
Why were you created by the artist?
To remind people, stranger! From this podium, I am a warning to everyone. p>
Kairos is considered the god of the lucky moment, the one that appears once in a lifetime, giving a person the opportunity to “catch” it. “and for the tuft”. Whoever succeeds in that is considered lucky, having their wishes fulfilled. However, this short excerpt from Posidonius’ dialogue with Kairos also points to its deeper meaning.
Kairos moves silently and swiftly among people, offering them the opportunity to capture it. Its mere presence calls for vigilance, caution, and boldness. Because those who avoid problems, who are timid in front of life, who fear action and change, cannot seize Kairos. The challenging, disheveled tuft on its head offers the possibility, but it is solely up to the person whether they will act in the given moment. They themselves must choose. If they try, they may succeed or not, but if they decide to “play it safe,” not take risks, they will never seize that divine moment. Kairos prompts, challenges a person to perform brave and daring deeds, to love, to sacrifice themselves for others… That’s why the tuft falls down his face and can only be grasped from the front, if the person faces it. It is not surprising at all that this divine young man is bald from behind. Hail, for once it flies, it is impossible to catch. The situation, the right moment in which we are given the opportunity to react, dare and act – passes quickly.
Posidip, Greek poet
All of this points to the need for constant vigilance, readiness to face the “new”, the challenge that life presents to us. Such a person has the ability to overcome themselves and transcend their own limitations. That is why literature often mentions that it is Kairos who symbolizes the quick decisions made by Alexander the Great. Perhaps because Lysippos, the most famous creator of Kairos, was a sculptor at Alexander’s court.
The razor or sword that Kairos holds in his hand is a symbol of internal combativeness and unwavering will before which there are no obstacles. In other words, every time a person dares, when they dare to face something new, they become a winner, regardless of whether they have lost or won, because they have won the most valuable battle of all – they have overcome themselves, their fears, and their limitations. And so he becomes a new man, the one capable of constant vigilance, ready to act without being attached to the results of his actions.
The scale that Kairos holds in his hand carries the general symbolism of the moment when two forces – the forces of Heaven and Earth – are in the most favorable position. It is the moment when Heaven descends to Earth, and Earth rises to Heaven; when man receives Kairos’ divine blessing. There are no boundaries then.
For all great and small things in life, exactly ONE MOMENT is needed. In it, we are born, we die, we make decisions, we win or lose…
In it, Kairos appears with his scale and offers the opportunity for victory, brings us the scent of glory, and invites us to truly live. Life consists of such moments, the rest is a haze of forgetfulness… One moment with Kairos, a moment in which we truly lived, is worth more than a hundred years without him. In it, we have touched eternity.
Perhaps right now, above us, Kairos is flying looking for the daring ones. Let’s grab him by the tuft… maybe he’s there in It’s all about us.