A faun is a creature from Roman mythology with the upper body of a human and the legs, hooves, and sometimes horns of a goat. Fauns lived in forests and fields, playing music on reed pipes and watching over shepherds and their flocks. They loved dancing, singing, and causing mischief.

The most famous faun in children's literature is Mr. Tumnus from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, who befriends Lucy when she first enters Narnia. In the story, he carries an umbrella and parcels, showing how authors often imagine fauns as polite creatures who blend human and animal traits.

Fauns are similar to satyrs from Greek mythology, though satyrs were typically portrayed as wilder and more troublesome. The Romans borrowed many ideas from Greek culture and adapted them, creating their own version of these forest spirits. Ancient Romans believed fauns protected the countryside and brought fertility to crops and animals.

Artists throughout history have painted and sculpted fauns, often showing them in peaceful forest scenes, playing musical instruments among the trees.