Know Your Mythology Creatures ! [ Pegasus ]

Hey guys! In this post i'll be posting about mythology creatures, mainly from Greek.

In every creatures that the ancient Greek believed, there must be a great story behind it. I mean where is Hydra derived from... or the Cerberus.

Well, swerve your path here to learn about the ancient creatures, at the same time edifying your knowledges about the world !

Myth 4: Pegasus ( Winged Divine Horse )

Bellerophon riding Pegasus 

Pegasus is one of the best known fantastical creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine horse, usually white in color. He was sired by Poseidon (God of Sea), in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. 

He was the brother of Chrysaor, born at a single birthing when his mother was decapitated by Perseus. Greco-Roman poets write about his ascent to heaven after his birth and his obeisance to Zeus, king of the gods, who instructed him to bring lightning and thunder from Olympus.


Friend of the Muses, Pegasus is the creator of Hippocrene, the fountain on Mt. Helicon. He was captured by the Greek hero Bellerophon near the fountain Peirene with the help of Athena and Poseidon. Pegasus allows the hero to ride him to defeat a monster, the Chimera, before realizing many other exploits.

 His rider, however, falls off his back trying to reach Mount Olympus. Zeus transformed him into the constellation Pegasus and placed him in the sky. There are theories that ascribe the origin of Pegasus to Pihassassa, the ancient god of thunderstorms in Hittite mythology.



Symbolism of Pegasus:

Pegasus is a symbol of knowledge, glory, and inspiration. Since ancient times, Pegasus has been a symbol of power and speed as well as imagination. The symbol of Pegasus was mostly used on cars and was advertised as “the spirit of flying horsepower”.



Notes about Pegasus:

Son of the Gorgon Medusa and the sea god Poseidon


Sprang fully formed from the severed neck of Medusa when Perseus slew her

Brother of the giant (or winged horse), Chrysoar and of the colt, Celeris (or according to some, his father)


Mounted by Perseus, who flew over the sea to slay the sea-dragon Cetus


Taken by the goddess Athena to Mt. Helicon to be reared by the Muses


Caused the fountains of Hippocrene & Aganippe to gush forth


The inspiration of the Muses (especially of Urania & her son by Apollo, Linus)


Wise seer of Corinth, Polyeidus, advised Bellerophon to capture Pegasus, who tamed him by the golden bridle, Chalintis, a gift of Athena


Mortal enemy of the Chimaera, Pegasus' flying skill enabled her slaying


Stung by a gadfly sent by Zeus when Bellerophon arrogantly tried to steer Pegasus to Olympus, causing Bellerophon to fall off


Occasional mount of Eos (Aurora) for her drive across the sky at dawn


Occasional mount of Apollo (Phoebus) during his daylight drive across the sky


Bearer of Zeus' divine Lightning and Thunder





Earthly and heavenly deeds honored with a memorial in the heavens - his very own constellation


















Pegasus appears in the story of Bellerophon, the son of King Glaucus, a warrior known for his breeding of fierce horses who betrayed and devoured him. 

Bellerophon was rumored to come from divine parentage, but even if not, he was by far the strongest and most handsome young man in his kingdom.

 He desired to tame Pegasus and was shown a way by Athena after he slept in her temple one night; presenting him with a golden bridle, Bellerophon mastered Pegasus, and together the two had many adventures.

 It was because of Pegasus that Bellerophon was able to slay the Chimera, a fearsome conglomerate of a lion, goat, and serpent.








Pegasus Today

In modern times, Pegasus became applied to flying horses in general, wherever they appear in art or literature. Viewed as a symbol of the soul able to fly beyond the realm of physical life, Pegasus is an inspirational magical creature endowing a sense of beauty and majesty to the works in which he appears.

 Pegasus has also been regarded as "the power of the creative spirit in all of us. He is the symbol of the Muses, of inspiration, and of the beauty we bring to our life and the lives of others."










Now you know about Pegasus ^^ "

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