Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

EREBUS, SON OF CHAOS 

A symbol of Divine potency arising in formless matter (Chaos) at the dawn of manifestation prior to the interactions of spirit and matter.

"From Chaos came dark Nox and Erebus; from Nox was Ether sprung and Hemera, whom she that big with them had grown, brought forth, mixed in affinity with Erebus." - HESIOD, Theogony, 123–5.

From formless matter came forth the unconscious form side of nature (Nox), and the latent Divine potency (Erebus) for the production of forms. Then from the productive union of these states, consciousness (Ether) and discreteness (Hemera) became apparent in the first life-wave (day) of the cycle, as spirit began to inform matter and qualities and properties were gradually involved.

"The name 'Erebus' signifies darkness." - Smith's Class. Dict. "Darkness" is a symbol of the potential or latent.  

See Also

AETHER
CHAOS
CHARON
DARKNESS
EROS
HEAVEN AND EARTH
MONAD OF FORM
NIGHT (matter)
Nox