Ancient Greece is not only about ancient art and amazing architecture. These are also the greatest works of literature that have survived to this day. The mythology of the Greeks is a reflection of their ideas about a world inhabited by magical creatures, spirits, monsters and giants. One of the most mysterious creatures is Pegasus.
Origin of Pegasus
According to the image and description of mythographers, Pegasus is a luxurious white-winged horse. The parents of Pegasus are considered to be the conqueror of the sea god Poseidon and the ominous Gorgon Medusa. His appearance into the world is described in two versions.
- At the moment when the strong man Perseus cut off the head of the Gorgon, Pegasus and his blood brother, the great warrior Chrysaor, jumped out of her body.
- During the cutting off of the head of Medusa the Gorgon by Perseus, the blood fell to the ground, and the noble Pegasus turned out of it.
As the dictionary interprets it, translated from Greek the word “Pegasus” means “stormy stream.” It was named so because it was born at the source of the ocean and received its swiftness and power. He was endowed with immortality and was considered the thunder horse of Zeus. According to myths, he flew at the speed of fast-moving winds.
Its original owner was Bellerophon. With the help of a winged horse, he defeated the fire-breathing Chimera. After this, Bellerophon felt strength and power. He decided to ride a horse up Mount Olympus and conquer it.
Zeus, seeing such impudence, sent a gadfly, who stung the white Pegasus. He threw off the rider and fell himself, but was then returned to Olympus. He became the horse of Zeus, and his main mission was to bring him lightning and serve as a symbol of the thundercloud. His strength was such that, as soon as he hit the ground with his hoof, a source began to flow at that place.
The white-winged horse was the favorite of the 9 Muses, who were patrons of various arts. They idolized him, and on the mountain where they lived, the horse with its golden hooves knocked out the Hippocrene spring, called the Horse Spring. This spring became sacred and was protected by Apollo himself.
Poets, artists, and musicians came to the source. They looked to him for inspiration to create masterpieces. Pegasus has become a symbol of creative growth. He blessed those who passed the tests given to him, who conquered darkness and torment in search of inspiration.
Appearance of Pegasus
In mythology, Pegasus has snow-white, silky fur. His mane shimmers in the sun like gold. The body is elastic, slender, personifying nobility and proud disposition. The hooves are golden, the legs are slender and graceful.
The main element of the image is the wings: sweeping, noble white. They gave Pegasus freedom and independence.
In all sources, the horse is described as a delightfully handsome man with sad eyes. To take off, he only had to take a few graceful steps, and he would soar into the sky like an extraordinary light bird. His whole image evoked delight, envy and admiration. It is not for nothing that people perceive this creature as sublime, independent and free.
Beautiful Pegasuses were depicted on the flags of states. They conveyed a sense of freedom, independence and sovereignty. In legends it was described as the “passion of hunters.” Many people wanted to catch and curb this animal, but as soon as they extended their hand, the horse flew into the sky, so high that it was impossible to see.
Symbolic interpretations of the image
The image of a white horse with wings has attracted creative people at all times and has its own meaning. Poems and stories were written about him, legends and myths were created. It was painted by artists and depicted by sculptors in their works. He himself was considered the patron of muses.
There were legends that whoever saddles a winged horse will himself become a poet and gain a creative gift. Pegasus was portrayed in stories as a kind magical creature. This is a shy, but at the same time proud horse that cannot be tamed.
Astronomers named a constellation in his honor. It looks like a horse, but without wings.
The Templars also depicted the image of Pegasus on their personal coat of arms. They believed that he would bring them glory, honor and honor. In the 19th century scientists considered Pegasus a symbol of the interconnection of all life on earth.
Since Pegasus personifies the art of poetry, many works have been written about him by both modern and ancient masters of words.
Today, the image of Pegasus often represents speed.
Differences between Pegasus and Unicorn
Another snow-white horse, which is often confused with Pegasus, is the Unicorn. There are differences between them. The second creature has a golden horn growing from its forehead, but has no wings. In Greece, his image was conveyed by the historian Ctesias. Following his descriptions, we can say that the Unicorn is something between a bull, an antelope and a rhinoceros. The horn was endowed with special powers:
- healed the sick and wounded in battles;
- raised the dead;
- cleansed drinks from poisons.
Unlike Pegasus, which existed only in Ancient Greece, the Unicorn was described by peoples of different religions and eras. Among the Greeks, he had a white body, a red head, and blue eyes.
In Western cultures it was half wild bull and half horse with one horn. The culture of the East imagined him as something between a goat and a horse, with a beard and one horn. The same thing in different descriptions and characteristics is that the horse has kindness, the ability to love and understand.
Both Pegasus and the Unicorn cannot be caught and tamed, so these two magical creatures are united in the concepts of freedom and independence.
Conclusion
Many speculations about who Pegasus is - a bird or a horse - have existed for many centuries. One thing is clear - the creature carried within itself a beautiful image of kindness, freedom, independence.
In today's world there is often a lack of magic and fairy tales. It was not for nothing that Pegasus created a source with his hoof, from which even today I want to draw inspiration and peace. The symbol of this animal combines two vital forces - the power of a horse and the love of a bird for the sky.
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In ancient Greek mythology, the winged horse of Zeus
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In Greek mythology, a winged horse
Symbol of poetic inspiration
Constellation
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Pegasus is a large winged horse born from the decapitated head of the Gorgon Medusa. Pegasus was endowed with immortality. The owner of Pegasus was Bellerophon, who was patronized by Athena herself.
One day he sent Pegasus into battle against a fire-breathing monster - the Chimera. Once Bellerophon planned to ride Pegasus all the way to Olympus, but Zeus, seeing such impudence, threw him and Pegasus to the ground. However, then the supreme god returned Pegasus to Olympus and instructed him to be his assistant: to spread thunder and lightning. That is why Pegasus is also called the “thunder horse of Zeus.”
In astronomy, the constellation Pegasus is known. It can be noticeable in the spring. that the appearance of the star Pegasus in the sky precedes thunderstorms.
The name "Pegasus" is derived from two Greek words: "spring" and "jump."
Pegasus was also associated with the muses. According to legend, a winged horse created a sacred spring - Hippocrene - with the blow of its hoof. This happened during the participation of nine muses in a competition with nine daughters of Pierre on Mount Helikon.
The stories that have come down to us say that at some point during the competition it became completely dark around - this was the effect of the singing of Pierre’s daughters on the surrounding world. When the muses sang, the heavens, sea and rivers froze to listen to the captivating singing. Mount Helikon immediately began to grow, trying to rise to Olympus itself.
But Pegasus was able to stop this growth by hitting the ground with his hoof. This is how the Hippocrene source appeared. It is said that similar wells and wells created by Pegasus are found throughout Greece.
Pegasus in art
The image of a winged horse is often found in classical art: Pegasus often accompanies the chariot of the sun god Helios or the moon god Selene. In one of the myths, the hero Pelops was given a chariot drawn by a winged horse.
Some historical facts indicate that winged horses were considered a common animal species in the mysterious land of Ethiopia.
And Pausanias left a few notes about Pegasus. For example, Plato mentions the temple of Poseidon on the mythical land called Atlantis, where a sculpture of the god was located standing on a chariot drawn by six winged horses.
The image of Pegasus often appeared on Greek pottery, with the earliest discovery dating back to the 7th century BC. The winged horse was also a popular image found on Corinthian coins. The most famous depiction of Pegasus in sculpture is the pediment of the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra (circa 580 BC).
Myths about Pegasus have excited the imagination of many artists and sculptors. Thus, Rubens depicted Perseus and Pegasus liberating Andromeda in his painting (1622), and Dovan Battista Tiepolo used the same plot in his canvas (c. 1730).
The image of a winged horse is found even in music: in the opera “Bellerophon” in the 18th century (authors: Jean-Baptiste Lully, Christoph Graupner, R. Keyser, Iobates, J.F. Binder von Krieglstein).
Since Byzantine times, the image of Pegasus began to appear in Christian stories. The winged horse began to be perceived as a protector. For example, the Archangel Michael fought on a winged horse. In Roland Furious, Ariosto Pegasus faithfully serves the knight Astolfo, who manages to survive numerous adventures thanks to his winged assistant.
Being a source of inspiration and wisdom, Pegasus symbolizes the flight of thoughts, as well as the path to truth, which is why it is often depicted with Apollo and the Muses. Parnassus by Andrea Mantegna (1495-1497) depicts Pegasus next to the nine muses, accompanied by Hermes. Similar plots are used in their creations by Andrea Schiavone, Gustav Moreau, Albert Pinkham Ryder and Giorgio de Chirico.
Giordano Bruno used the image of Pegasus in his satirical dialogue "The Cabal of Pegasus" (1585). Friedrich Schiller also wrote the ballad “Pegasus in Harness” (1795), where the winged horse appears in the form of an ordinary workhorse, which, falling into the hands of negative characters, loses its powerful strength.
Pegasus has become the logo for many companies (especially those involved in the transportation of goods and passengers and mail delivery). The image of a winged horse is also found on the logo of the American oil company Mobil Oil (now called Exxon Mobil).
In Russia, one of the largest tour operators is named after Pegasus, providing vacations to those wishing to travel almost anywhere on the planet.
Pegasus in astronomy
The constellation Pegasus is considered one of the largest on the star map. It is located in the northern hemisphere. Consists of 14 stars, adjacent to the constellations Andromeda, Cygnus, Dolphin, Aquarius, Vixen and Pisces.
Astronomers say that the meteor shower (starfall) of the constellation Pegasus is often visible to the naked eye from the ground. This phenomenon is called July pegasids.
Pegasus is a winged horse first mentioned in the myths of Ancient Greece. This creature was endowed with nobility and mystical power. What is noteworthy is that despite his venerable age, Pegasus is often mentioned in modern art.
Ancient Greek legends about 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 Gorgon Medusa along with the warrior Chrysaor at the moment when Perseus cut off her head. Other legends tell about the emergence of Pegasus from the blood of the Gorgon that fell to the ground. There is a widespread mythological version according to which the father of the winged horse is Poseidon himself. The Lord of the Seas was fascinated by the beauty of the Gorgon Medusa, and it was because of her connection with him that the beautiful girl was turned into a monster. Pegasus was the fruit of this relationship. The horse with wings was born at the source of the Ocean, he received a name literally translated from Greek as “stormy current.”
Pegasus was fast as the wind; according to legend, he was most often found in the mountains, mainly on Parnassus in Helicon and Phocis. The winged horse also had a stable in Corinth. According to many myths, Pegasus is the favorite of the muses. He is also known as Bellerophon's assistant. With the help of a winged horse, the hero was able to hit the Chimera with a bow. The friendship of Pegasus and Bellerophon lasted quite a long time. One day the hero became too proud of his accomplishments and wanted to fly up to the sky. According to one version, Bellerophon was simply frightened by the rapid flight and fell from the back of Pegasus. According to another, the horse threw the rider off its back at the will of Zeus. The anger of the thunder god was caused by the pride and impudence of Bellerophon. After participating in numerous exploits, Pegasus began to deliver thunder and lightning from Hephaestus to Zeus on 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 distinguished by an ideal thoroughbred build and noble features. Two white, feathered wings grow from the horse's back. Their span exceeds the length of the body. Pegasus is a horse endowed with supernatural powers. It has massive hooves, the blows of which can create sparks. Sometimes depicted with a golden or silver-bluish mane. The winged horse is often depicted free, and sometimes with a bridle and full harness.
Pegasus - a symbol of inspiration
In world culture, Pegasus is a symbol of inspiration and the patron saint of all creative people. According to one of the ancient Greek legends, a winged horse knocked out a spring with a blow of its hoof on Mount Helikon. This spring, located near the Grove of the Muses, was named the Key of the Horse. It was believed that everyone who drank from it would experience a surge of inspiration and gain the ability to write poetry. It was from this myth that the stable expression “Ride 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 strength, justice, wisdom and divine providence. It was decorated with a winged horse and the coat of arms of the Templars, as the embodiment of glory and eloquence. Some modern historians believe that it is right to consider Pegasus a symbol of the life cycle and relationships of all living things.
Modern history of the winged horse
These days, the mythical winged horse often appears in modern fairy stories. Pegasus can be seen in science fiction films based on ancient legends and even on the pages of children's books. Sometimes the winged horse is depicted as a unicorn, with a long horn on its forehead. We should not forget that on a modern map of the starry sky, Pegasus is a constellation 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 in the modern world it is often depicted 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 the image of a winged horse on its official coat of arms.
07.08.2014
The first mention of Pegasus can be found in the myths of Ancient Greece. According to legend, Pegasus emerged from the body of the gorgon Medusa, who was killed by the ancient Greek hero Perseus. The word Pegasus in translation means “stormy current”, since according to legend it appeared at the source of the Ocean. The winged horse ascended to Olympus and brought lightning to Zeus.
It was also believed that Pegasus was associated with the goddess of dawn Eos and after the death of his only rider Bellerophon, he appeared in the sky in the form of the constellation of the same name. According to another version, the appearance of a flying horse is associated with the Luwian thunder god (Teshub). In this case, the name of the mystical horse means “shining one.”
The fairy-tale pegasus is considered the favorite animal of the muses, who helped poets and writers in their difficult work. One day, a winged horse saved the muses, who, with their singing, were able to make the mountain grow to the skies. But the pegasus was able to rise even higher and, with the blow of his hooves, returned the mountain to its previous state, and a source of water was formed, called the “Horse Spring”.
Where do pegasi live?
Pegasus from ancient Greek myths lived in the mountains in Corinth. In this place he had a stall, most likely made by Bellerefont. Other pegasi also live in high mountain meadows, where they can easily hide from the human eye. Although, according to another version, pegasi live in forests, this is unlikely, since huge wings would certainly prevent them from passing between the trees. They eat the same way as other horses - fresh grass, and sometimes berries and fruits.
Pegasus appearance
Most often, pegasi are depicted as white horses or ponies, with huge wings on their backs.
But sometimes there are also completely black pegasi. However, the color of the coat does not in any way affect the character of the winged horse.
Also sometimes you come across pegasi with brown fur and golden wings.
Pegasus character
These winged horses have a capricious character. They are distrustful, so they rarely allow people to get close to them. There is nothing to say about riding this beautiful animal and trying to fly on it. According to legend, you can only catch a pegasus with a golden bridle, but this is not at all easy. There is a legend that a person who has just seen a pegasus is already endowed with enormous power, with the help of which he can work miracles.
Winged horses are always the personification of good forces. They not only inspire poets, but also help other people. Only a good person can tame a mythical animal; pegasus will always run away from evil ones.
But, like any positive hero, Pegasus has enemies. They are hippogriffs (mythical animals that are a hybrid of a horse and a bird) and griffins (an animal with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle).
But pegasi are not the only horses that can fly. Many relatives of the winged horse can be found. For example, Merani - winged horse in Georgian legends. Or Burdo-Valy from Prikamsky legends. Outwardly, these are ordinary horses, but when no one sees them, they develop wings and can fly. Only no one else should see their wings, so when a person accidentally noticed the wings of these horses, they disappeared and never appeared again.
Tulpar or crowd - a winged horse in Bashkir legends, it helps people, knows how to send wind and lightning, and is also able to communicate with people and all animals. But, just like the Burdo-Vals, they must not show their wings to anyone, otherwise they will no longer be able to fly. There was also a winged horse in China; according to legend, it was the pegasus that flew over 6,000 kilometers in a day, marking the place for the Great Wall of China with its hooves.
The Scandinavians also have a horse that can move in the air; its name is Sleipnir , which translated means “sliding”. He is the son of Loki, the Norse god of cunning and deception. Sleipnir is a gray horse with wings and eight legs. Warrior maidens Valkyries are also gifted by the gods with winged horses.
Pegasi in modern literature
Relatively recently, in 2010, Dmitry Yemets began an amazing and fascinating series of books related to pegasi, called “ShNyr: School of Divers.” This book describes how teenagers, chosen by the golden bees, fly on a pegasus, and after the flyby they “dive,” that is, they make the pegasus fall down from a great height. But, contrary to all the laws of physics, neither the pegasus nor the rider crashes, but ends up in another, suffocated world - a swamp. Flying through the swamp, they find themselves in a beautiful, not yet finished, uninhabited world - a two-room apartment. There they find so-called bookmarks, which, after certain actions, can help terminally ill patients. The problem is that not a single diver has the right to choose the person who needs the bookmark, otherwise he will never be able to dive on a two-room dive again. According to the history of the book, the pegasi themselves escaped into our world from this world, however, at the time described in the work, they had not yet met a single free pegasus on the kopeck piece; they were all bred in our world.
