giganti

Giganti is the plural form of gigante in Italian, meaning beings of enormous size. The root derives from Latin gigant-, itself from Greek gigas. The term is used across languages to describe mythological and legendary figures of great size.

In mythology and folklore, gigantes are depicted in various cultures as colossal beings. In Greek myth, the gigantes are a distinct race of giant beings, often opposed to the Olympian gods. Similar concepts appear in other traditions, including Norse and biblical contexts, where giants or giant-like beings symbolize power, chaos, or challenge. In Italian folklore and literature, giganti are frequently portrayed as powerful, sometimes hostile figures that test heroes, though the specifics vary by era and author.

In literature and art, giganti appear as motifs representing scale, strength, or otherworldliness. They are used symbolically to explore themes such as hubris, fate, or the limits of human achievement. In modern usage, giganti can describe anything unusually large or impressive, and the term is common in everyday language as well as in metaphorical expressions for powerful organizations, events, or structures.

The word giganti remains a standard Italian term; the singular gigante is widely used in everyday language and in proper names. As a cultural concept, it highlights how the idea of extraordinary size recurs in myths, stories, and contemporary speech.