What is the name of a flying horse? Pegasus - what kind of creature is this in ancient mythology? Ancient Greek legends about Pegasus
Snow-white unicorns and fantastically beautiful pegasi today have become an invariable feature of numerous films, cartoons, books and poems.
But do these fabulous animals really exist, even if in a slightly different form? Let's figure it out.
Who is a unicorn?
As you know, a unicorn is a snow-white magical horse, in whose forehead there is a twisted sharp horn, according to some versions, covered with gold. The image of the unicorn came into modern mythology, like most fairy-tale creatures, from Celtic myths, but in fact it is found in the legends of almost all European peoples, including the Slavic Russians.
We called it the Indrik Beast: it was believed that this animal had enormous healing power and was able to cure any disease. Indrik performed an important function: he managed underground water reserves, brought streams to the surface and saved the earth from drought.
In Western mythology, the unicorn was a magical animal that only an innocent girl could subdue. It was considered a symbol of purity and power, often symbolizing good forces: many medieval images of the struggle between a unicorn and a lion have been preserved, where the lion is a symbol of evil, death and Satan, and the unicorn is a representative of good forces. 
The Eastern tradition also could not do without this amazing animal: in the legends of India, China and Korea, the most famous and illustrious rulers of ancient times rode them.
Do unicorns exist in the real world?
Obviously, since mythology different nations so persistently dwells on the image of a unicorn, some similar creature simply had to occur in reality. But to date, not a single person has seen or photographed horses with a horn in their forehead. But on the Internet you can find many photographs of other animals with a single horn in their forehead.
These are cows, deer and even goats, which for some reason have developed such an unusual mutation - instead of two, only one horn has formed in the middle of the forehead. In fact, an animal with one horn is like a five-petalled lilac: although rare, it can be found. 
However, it is quite possible that once upon a time real unicorns lived on our planet - magical snow-white horses with an elegant twisted horn in their forehead. It is possible that somewhere in the remote corners of the planet the remnants of the unicorn population still live, waiting for some brave traveler to find their land and make friends with them.
Pegasus - what kind of creature is this?
Pegasus is no less a fantastic animal than a unicorn. He comes from Ancient Greece: according to legend, this is the child of the terrible Gorgon Medusa and the sea lord Poseidon. The Greeks depicted him as a horse with two wings growing from his shoulder blades.
According to legend, he could fly and was a favorite of the muses, who rode on his broad back and delighted the ears with their singing. After numerous adventures, the Olympian gods took him to heaven, and now everyone can find the constellation Pegasus in the star atlas.
Since the Renaissance, which revived cultural tradition Europe's ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Pegasus is considered a symbol of poetic inspiration. Riding a winged horse, the poet soars above the everyday world and creates brilliant poetry.
Is it possible to meet a Pegasus in the real world?
Although the winged horse is a common symbol, the actual existence of such creatures is most likely impossible. From an aerodynamic point of view, in order to lift a horse weighing more than one hundred kilograms into the air, wings each 4-5 meters long are needed. 
Most likely, pegasi are a product of human imagination, combining two of the most beautiful and attractive symbols - a bird and a horse. However, in the world of fantasy, everything is possible, and everyone can ride a pegasus these days. All you have to do is install it and ride as much as you want!
Pegasus (P h g a s o z)
· the mythical snow-white beautiful winged horse, the fruit of the relationship between the gorgon Medusa and Poseidon. Pegasus emerged from drops of Medusa's blood when Perseus killed her. He received his name because he was born at the source of the Ocean (Greek p h g h, “source”).
After birth, Pegasus ascended to Olympus and there delivers thunder and lightning to Zeus (Hes. Theog. 280-286). According to another myth, the gods gave Pegasus to Bellerophon (Pind. O1. XIII 63 next), and he, taking off on it, killed the winged monster chimera, which was devastating the country (Hes. Theog. 325).
Pegasus was also called the “horse of the muses,” since once with a blow of his hoof he knocked out the Hippocrene (“horse spring”) spring on Helicon (Paus. IX 31, 3), the water of which gives inspiration to poets. Pegasus, like a unicorn, can only be caught with a golden bridle.
Material from Wikipedia
Pegasus(ancient Greek Πήγασος
) V ancient greek mythology- winged horse, favorite of the muses.
The origin of the name Pegasus is unclear; it is usually classified as a substratum word. Sometimes it is compared with the epithet of the Luwian thunder god - pihassasis "shining", given the fact that Pegasus carries the lightning of Zeus.
The Birth of Pegasus and his warrior brother Chrysaor (Edward Burne Jones (1876-85)
According to one version, he was born by the gorgon Medusa from Poseidon. Jumped out of Medusa's body along with his warrior brother Chrysaor after Perseus cut off her head. According to another version, he was born from the blood of Medusa that fell on earth.
Since the horse was born at the source of the Ocean, he was named Pegasus (Greek for “stormy current”). He flew with the speed of the wind. According to legend, he had a stable in Corinth; lived in the mountains, spending most of his time on Parnassus in Phocis and Helicon in Boeotia. Helicon, delighted by the singing of the Muses, began to grow to the sky, until, by the will of Poseidon, Pegasus hit its top with his hoof and stopped growth.
Pegasus could knock out springs with a blow of his hoof on the ground. So, in particular, on Mount Helikon near the grove of the Muses there arose the source of Hippocrene (Key of the Horse), from which poets drew inspiration (“they saddled Pegasus”). For recruitment maximum speed Before takeoff, Pegasus needed to take a few steps on the ground.
Alexander Ivanov.
Bellerophon sets out on a campaign against the Chimera
According to one story, Poseidon gave it to his son Bellerophon. According to another version, Bellerophon caught him at a watering hole at the source of Pirene, after Athena promised him a horse in a dream and gave him a golden bridle, and he erected an altar to Athena the Horseman, Athena Halinitis. 
Thanks to Pegasus, Bellerophon was able to hit the Chimera from the air with a bow (other myths attribute this feat to Perseus), Pegasus helped the hero in other exploits until he set out to reach the sky on a winged horse (according to other versions, to fly to Olympus). Angered by Bellerophon's sacrilege, Zeus sent a gadfly (or horsefly), which stung Pegasus under the tail. The horse went mad with pain and threw Bellerophon down. Zeus gave Pegasus to Eos. According to another story, Bellerophon tried to fly up into the sky, but looked down and fell out of fear, while Pegasus continued his flight.
Subsequently, Pegasus delivered thunder and lightning to Zeus on Olympus from Hephaestus, who made them. Placed in the sky in the form of the constellation Horse (however, it does not have wings), now this constellation is called Pegasus.
There were statues of him in Corinth.
In heraldry
The Templars placed it on their coat of arms; it symbolized eloquence, glory and contemplation.
According to scientists of the 19th century, Pegasus, born from a deadly monster at the end of the world and ascended to the sparkling peaks of Olympus, is a symbol of the connection of all living things.
The winged horse is a symbol of Chrysostom; it is present on the coat of arms and flag of the city.
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 out."
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 in the competition it became completely dark around - this was the effect on the world around us singing of Pierre's daughters. 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 several 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.
