Pegasus is a winged horse first mentioned in the myths of ancient Greece. This creature was endowed with nobility and mystical power. What is remarkable, despite his venerable age, Pegasus is often mentioned in modern art.
Ancient Greek Legends of Pegasus
There are two versions of the origin of Pegasus. According to the first of them, the winged horse jumped out of the body of the Medusa of the Gorgon along with the warrior Chrysaor at the moment when Perseus chopped off her head. Other legends tell about the appearance of Pegasus from the blood of the Gorgon that fell to the ground. The mythological version according to which the father of the winged horse is Poseidon himself is widespread. The lord of the seas was fascinated by the beauty of the Medusa of the Gorgon, and it was because of the connection with him that the beautiful girl was turned into a monster. Pegasus was the fruit of this connection. A horse with wings was born at the headwaters of the Ocean; it received a name that literally translates from Greek as “rapid current”.
Pegasus was fast as the wind, according to legend, most often was in the mountains, mainly on Parnassus in Helikon and Phocis. The winged horse also had a stall in Corinth. According to many myths, Pegasus is a favorite of muses. He is also known as an assistant to Bellerophon. With the help of an inspired horse, the hero was able to get from the bow to the Chimera. The friendship of Pegasus and Bellerophon lasted long enough. Once the hero was too proud of perfect feats and wanted to fly up to the sky. According to one version, Bellerophon was tritely afraid of a swift flight and fell from the back of Pegasus. On the other hand, the horse threw off the rider from his back at the behest of Zeus. The wrath of the Thunder God was aroused by the pride and arrogance of Bellerophon. After participating in numerous feats, Pegasus began to deliver thunder and lightning from Hephaestus for Zeus to Olympus. Subsequently, the winged horse was placed in the sky in the form of a constellation.
What does a winged horse look like?
Most often, Pegasus is depicted as a large snow-white horse. The animal is characterized by perfect thoroughbred addition and noble features. Two white feather-covered wings grow from the horse’s back. Their scope exceeds body length. Pegasus is a horse endowed with supernatural powers. It has massive hooves, the impact of which can carve sparks. Sometimes depicted with a golden or silver-bluish mane. The winged horse is often portrayed as free, and sometimes in bridle and full harness.
Pegasus - a symbol of inspiration
In world culture, Pegasus is a symbol of inspiration and patron of all creative people. According to one of the ancient Greek legends, the winged horse hit the spring with a blow of the hoof on Mount Helikon. This spring, located at the Grove of Muses, was named the Horse Key. It was believed that everyone who drank from it will experience a surge of inspiration and gain the ability to compose. It is from this myth that the steady expression "Saddle Pegasus" arose. In a creative environment, it means catching your inspiration. For many centuries, a horse with wings was found on the coats of arms, personal signs and seals of many recognized creators in Europe. Sometimes Pegasus is also considered a symbol of noble power, justice, wisdom and divine providence. The winged horse and the coat of arms of the Templars decorated it, as the embodiment of glory and eloquence. Some modern historians believe that it is legitimate to consider Pegasus as a symbol of the life cycle and the interconnections of all living things.
The modern history of the winged horse
Today, the mythical winged horse often appears in modern fairy tales. Pegasus can be seen in science fiction films based on ancient legends and even on the pages of children's books. Sometimes a winged horse is portrayed as a unicorn, with a long horn on its forehead. Do not forget that on the modern map of the starry sky Pegasus is a constellation that was discovered at the dawn of world civilizations.
One of the mythical qualities of a winged horse is the ability to fly and develop great speed instantly. It is for this reason that it is often in the modern world portrayed on the emblems of air carriers and aeronautical clubs. Creative people do not forget that their patron is Pegasus. The symbol of something divine and boundless inspiration is often found on the signs of associations of poets and writers today. The city of Zlatoust boasts an image of a winged horse on its official coat of arms.