The Myth of Pegasus, the Winged Horse

Pegasus is the majestic flying horse we meet in Greek mythology. This creature is traditionally pictured as a pure white horse with large wings. His father is said to be Poseidon, god of the sea, while his mother is the Gorgon Medusa. Pegasus is usually known for his ties to the heroes Perseus and Bellerophon. The story of Perseus's slaying of Medusa is the very moment we hear about the birth of Pegasus. The winged horse later became Bellerophon's mount, and he turns up throughout the tales of that hero's exploits, including the slaying of the Chimera and his flight up to Mount Olympus⛰️.

Pegasus, son of Medusa and Poseidon

The Pegasus myth tells us that he was the son of the mortal Medusa and of Poseidon, god of the sea. Pegasus and his brother Chrysaor were born from the blood of their beheaded mother Medusa, the Gorgon tricked and killed by Perseus.

A more detailed version of the Greek Pegasus myth says that the two of them were born when Medusa's blood mixed with the sea foam. Pegasus is said to have come into the world as a winged horse because his father Poseidon had taken the form of a horse when he seduced Medusa. When Pegasus was born, a huge clap of thunder and lightning tore through the sky 🌩️, and that is how his bond with the powers of the heavens was sealed.

But the most common version has it that the goddess Athena tamed the winged horse and handed him over to Perseus, who would later fly off to rescue his beloved Andromeda.

We recommend wearing this beautiful Pegasus Pendant, a symbol of fighting spirit 💪.

Pegasus and the Muses

After his birth, with no parents around, the young Pegasus was raised by the Muses on Mount Helicon, where the goddess Athena had brought him. In his excitement at being given over to these mysterious women, Pegasus struck the side of the mountain with his hooves, and his hoofprints turned the springs into fountains of inspiration ⛲.

These springs became sacred to the Muses, who loved and respected the "flying horse." But for one of them, Urania, the Muse of universal love and astronomy, Pegasus was something special. She saw a heroic future ahead for him and the heavenly honour that was waiting. Urania suffered greatly when Bellerophon, a mythic hero, took Pegasus away from her.

Hesiod's account of Pegasus being "snatched away" by the Bellerophontes confirms that every time Pegasus strikes his hoof, a fountain of inspiration springs up at once.

Pegasus and Bellerophon

For a brief stretch of time, Pegasus belonged to a mortal: Bellerophon, the famous hero and monster slayer.

The taming of Pegasus

Famously wild and untamed, Pegasus was finally broken in by one of the greatest Greek heroes, Bellerophon. But he did not pull it off on his own: he had the help of Athena. According to Pindar, one of the most famous poets of ancient Greece, the goddess gifted him an enchanted golden bridle ✨, which Bellerophon used to catch Pegasus while the stallion was drinking from the Pierian spring, another body of water tied to Pegasus and the Muses.

The adventures of Pegasus and Bellerophon

Mounted on Pegasus, Bellerophon was able to defeat the Amazons, the fire-breathing Chimera and the Solymi warriors. On top of that, Pegasus was the means by which Bellerophon took his revenge on Iobates's wife, Stheneboea, who had falsely testified against him after he had rejected her advances. According to some, Bellerophon then offered her a ride on Pegasus, which she happily accepted. However, while they were flying high above the sea 🌊, the winged stallion threw her into the depths below.

The death of Bellerophon

Little did Bellerophon know that a similar fate awaited him. After many victories against all kinds of foes, Bellerophon began to think that mortals were no longer worthy of his presence and that he deserved to live among the gods on Mount Olympus. So he climbed onto his loyal horse and set off on his journey to the heavens ☄️. Zeus, irritated by Bellerophon's arrogance, sent down a horsefly that stung Pegasus hard enough to make the winged horse throw his rider down into the void to his death.

Pegasus on Mount Olympus

Pegasus ended his epic journey on Mount Olympus. There he served Zeus with his magical powers of thunder and lightning, whenever the supreme God called on him. He was also reunited with his main guardian from his early days, the Muse Urania, along with the other Muses, who welcomed him back with joy and happiness 😇.

Pegasus lived on Mount Olympus until his very last day. Ever since, he has become a source of inspiration for artists of every stripe, and a flight of fancy for children who dream of their own Pegasus to carry them to the mysterious caves and labyrinths of their imagination.

You can also pick up this beautiful Pegasus Tattoo to fuel inspiration in your own projects.