Some characters from mythology become famous for their incredible stories, others become part of popular culture because they are so magical. Pegasus sums up the specialness of man's imagination and how he passes from generation to generation. We invite you to read this article about the Pegaso from Greek mythology.
What are pegasi?
It is impossible not to recognize the name Pegasus today. This is because its reference has been used in different artistic mediums, such as winged horses, the truth is that this creature comes from Greek mythology. The Pegasus is a horse that, unlike its peers, has large wings.
The history of Pegasus is very incredible since this horse was the first to reach Olympus and share it with the other gods. Pegasus was the horse of Zeus, the god of heaven and earth, in addition, he had a brother named Chrysaor, who was also born from the blood spilled by Medusa.
And it is that the birth of Pegasus is quite particular. The myths imply that Pegasus was created from the blood of Medusa, this blood was spilled when Perseus cut off his head at the request of a goddess. Although being a mythological creature it can be seen in any way, the most common image of Pegasus represents it as white with two long wings.
If this article is being to your liking, we invite you to read Apollo and Daphne myth in our mythology category.
Other Pegasus Characteristics
Among the creatures that take the body of a horse as their main reference, we have three well-known categories: The Pegasi, which only have wings; the unicorns, which have a magical horn and the alicorns, the combination of the two elements.
Interestingly, the birth of unicorns and alicorns occurs after the birth of Pegasus. Actually this myth was the basis for the creation of many other mythical species.
Although Pegasus is best known for being the horse of Zeus, it has also been closely related to the story of the hero Bellerophon. According to this account, while riding with this creature, he slew the chimera, a multi-headed monstrous beast.
The chimera was dedicated to terrorizing the territories of Lycia, so Bellerophon used his agility and the power of the winged horse to defend that place.
On the other hand, the legend of Pegasus has influenced many branches of literature, so much so that it even influenced the creation of the Buraq figure, a classic symbol of Islamic tradition. In general, the Pegasus has made his history known to this day, making it clear that he is one of the most celebrated horses in the world and his entire history came from the imagination of man.
The birth of Pegasus
The beginning of Pegasus happens quite quickly, legend has it that Perseus was the son of Zeus and that he was in charge of killing Medusa, one of the three Gorgon sisters. When he cut her throat, the Gorgon's blood sprouted a creature, which would later be given the name of Pegasus.
With a body of a horse and great wings of a bird, Pegasus hit the ground of Mount Helicon so hard, it created a spring. Today, it is known as the source that created poetic inspiration. Many talk about Perseus trying to dominate Pegasus and use it for his benefit. However, Greek mythology makes it clear that the only person who managed to completely dominate Pegasus was Bellerophon.
This he achieved by using a magical bridle given to him by the goddess Athena while Bellerophon had a dream. The relationship between this hero and his horse was magnificent, they performed various incredible feats, among which the most notable is the murder of the evil Chimera.
Fate of Bellerophon
Bellerophon was not humble at all and every victory he managed to achieve with Pegasus, made his ego more inflated. This man swore that he was equal to the gods themselves, saying that his deeds were so incredible and heroic that he deserved a place on Olympus.
This is how he takes Pegasus and tries to fly to Mount Olympus to join the gods. Pegasus, in fact, does not want this to happen. So he decides to shoot down the hero just before he arrives and is rewarded by Zeus who offers him a place in the stables.
Pegasus spent his time with the gods and at the end of his life and due to his immense power, he became a constellation, adorning the sky between the constellations Pisces and Andromeda.
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pegasus in real life
Since ancient times, man has felt the desire to want to fly, today, it is believed that it is one of the most sought after ambitions by the human being. Nature has given us the sight of incredible beings that have this ability to travel through the skies, changing their needs according to the seasons of the year and adapting their entire lives in the blink of an eye.
This natural reference has greatly influenced human thought, creating a desire that cannot be satisfied, or at least not in the way that is thought. This ambition to fly has led to the creation of creatures and deities that have that element that humans lack.
Pegasi are a human creation, like other mythical creatures such as the centaur and the sphinx, belonging to the world of myths and legends, as well as to the folklore of various cultures. Humans then create a figure that has real elements, the body and the wings. Thus, it combines them to create something that obviously does not exist, but gives the feeling of a powerful creature.
Asian origin of the myth
The first graphic representations of winged horses date back to the XNUMXth century BC, where they were mentioned in the culture of the Proto-Hittites. Contrary to what many think, the birth of Pegasus in the human mind was not born in Greece, but in Asia Minor and the knowledge of him spread to reach Greece.
The image in Greece was represented so much that this was for a long time, the cradle of the birth of the myth of Pegasus. On the other hand, it is good to know that not all representations found in ancient Greek articles refer to myth.
In the world of art, the most recreated figure of the Pegasus is the vision of it in full flight being ridden by Bellerophon. This vision intensely embodies the human desire to fly.
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