In Greek tradition, the guardian of the bridge to the underworld is Charon, the ferryman who transports the souls of the deceased across the River Styx. He requires payment in the form of an obol, a small coin placed in the mouth of the deceased. This payment signifies the importance of honoring the dead with a proper burial, allowing their passage to the afterlife. Charon’s role illustrates the ancient Greeks' beliefs about mortality and the transition to the next realm, emphasizing the significance of rituals and societal norms regarding death and the afterlife.