The creature often depicted with the body of a horse and the head of a man in various mythologies is known as a centaur. Centaurs represent the duality of human nature, embodying both civilization and savagery. In Greek mythology, they are often portrayed as wild and unruly beings, contrasting sharply with their more civilized counterparts. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for the struggle between instinct and reason in the human experience.