Why does a cherub fly towards people? The highest angelic ranks are Thrones, Seraphim and Cherubim. Cherubs in art - a common misinterpretation
The translation is not entirely correct.
Therefore, the correct translation is “hair-headed”.
But there is one small difference between an ox and an ox: “An ox is a castrated male cattle.”
It's somehow hard to imagine that great commander proudly sat on a horse with a head like the head of a castrated bull.
By Sergey Svyatkin on in
The translation is not entirely correct.
Traditionally, the translation of Βουκεφάλας or Βουκέφαλος is divided into the roots of two words: βούς and κεφαλή. If there are no objections to the word κεφαλή - head, then βούς is “ox”, not “bull”.
Or maybe just Βουκέφαλος - Bull's dick!?
So, diametrically opposed points of view from a castrated bull to a bull phallus. Let’s have some fun further and “reconstruct” Bucephalus as Βουκέ φαλλος, where Βουκέ is throat, mouth, spit, and φαλλος is also a phallus in Africa :))
For the investigation of horses and cows, the legends about all sorts of strange bull-headed bucephali and man-ox centaurs do not give much, but let them be for the sake of completeness of coverage of the material. Therefore, we will add some more information for thought.
Alexander the Great was allegedly born in the city of Pella, very close to the current port of Thessaloniki, which the Greeks call Thessaloniki. It’s tempting to call this area Thessaly. But historians insist that Macedonia was here, and Thessaly, the homeland of the mythical Centaurs, is further south. There is a curious city of Volos (Greek: Βόλος) located approximately 326 km north of Athens, 215 km south of Thessaloniki and 60 km southeast of Larissa at the foot of the mountain of the centaurs - Pelion. The city was founded in the 19th century as a seaport for the export of goods produced on the Thessalian plain. Thessaly and Volos were reunited with Greece only in 1881.
Alexander’s father’s name was Philip, which means “horse lover,” historians report that he was good with horses, about a thousand riders, and once even captured 20 thousand horses from the Scythians, but on the way back someone took them away: (On a coin Philip is depicted on a normal, non-horned horse:
Silver tetradrachm of Philip II from the museum in Thessaloniki
Philip either founded, or captured and renamed some fortress Philippopolis of Thracia - now Plovdiv - a city in the southern part of Bulgaria, the administrative center of the Plovdiv region, located on the Upper Thracian Lowland, on both banks of the Maritsa River (in antiquity Gebr).
A little further downstream, the river with the wonderful name Gebr comes close to the famous Shipka Pass, and on the other side on the Yantra River there is a city that you always want to call Gebrovo, although it is correctly Gabrovo. The famous Bulgarian jokes about the residents of Gabrovo are all about stinginess and greed. It is no coincidence that just below Gabrovo, along the Yantra, is the old capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo. But we will return to the Gebr River (I remind you - now Maritsa) and go downstream the same way Orpheus’s head floated from Thrace :))
Not very far from the mouth is the city of Adrianople (Bulgarian: Odrin, now Turkish: Edirne), which, apparently, was not conquered only by the lazy. Troops Russian Empire judging by the reports of historians, they visited there regularly, like a local police officer visiting a violent drunk. And what? The only sensible through route across land from the Aegean Sea to the Danube (others are much worse).
So, with jokes and jokes, we covered the basics ancient history Bulgaria. The part that is close to the Aegean Sea (landmark Adrianople on Hebra) is Rumelia, where Philippopolis on Hebra is Thrace, and where Gabrovo is on Yantra - in fact, there was Bulgaria along the Danube.
In 1977, Greek archaeologists discovered the burial of Philip, as usual they argued for the sake of decency and as a result, as usual, came to an agreement. Bulgarian archaeologists also strained themselves and opened the tomb of Orpheus, although it is believed that he was torn into pieces by local Bukhara bacchantes, and his head swam down the Hebru River straight through the Aegean Sea to the glorious island of Lesbos and worked miracles with local divas there. Now, at the grave of Orpheus, beautiful girls in beautiful mantles are having games, hanging out with candles, the tourists have gone out in droves, and the Greeks with their Philip are hopelessly behind in the tourism of the burial. Lesvos is also slowing down, it’s high time to sell silicone Orpheus heads with miracles to tourists
Bucephalus or (Greek Βουκεφάλας, lit. “bull-headed”; lat. Bucephalus) - ca. 355 - 326 BC e. - favorite horse of Alexander the Great. His nickname is commonly interpreted in different ways. According to one source, it was a massive, tall (approx. 140 cm) horse for its time with a bull-like head. According to others, he was black with a single white spot on his forehead, which closely resembled the head of a bull. According to another legend, he got his name for the bone growths on his head that looked like horns. Researchers also often note that he had a “magpie eye.” According to some sources, he had two underdeveloped toes on his front legs, like the distant ancestor of Meriguppus horses.
Ancient authors say that he was descended from a Barbary stallion and a Thessalian mare. He lived for 25 years (according to other sources, 30 years). According to legend, recorded by the famous traveler Marco Polo during his journey through Badakhshan, he belonged to the breed of Nysian horses (Nysa, the capital of Parthia), distinctive feature which had bone growths above the eyes. Polo also claimed to be the ancestor of the best horses in Asia.
The story goes that this horse was offered to the Macedonian king Philip II by a merchant from Thessaly, Philonicus, for 13 talents (approximately 340 kg of silver), which was a huge sum in those days. Since no one could curb the obstinate animal, the king refused to buy, but Alexander promised to pay for the stallion if he could not tame it. Alexander the Great, at the age of 10 (according to Plutarch), became the only person to whom a wayward 11-year-old horse submitted.
Plutarch spoke about the taming as follows:
“Alexander immediately ran up to the horse, grabbed it by the bridle and turned its muzzle towards the sun: apparently, he noticed that the horse was frightened, seeing a wavering shadow in front of it. Alexander ran next to the horse for some time, stroking it with his hand. Making sure that he had calmed down and was breathing deeply, Alexander threw off his cloak and jumped onto his horse with a light jump. At first, slightly pulling on the reins, he held back without striking him or tugging at the reins. When Alexander saw that the horse’s temper was no longer in danger of any trouble and that Bucephalus was rushing forward, he gave him free rein and even began to urge him on with loud exclamations and kicks. Philip and his retinue were silent, overcome with anxiety, but when Alexander, having turned his horse according to all the rules, returned to them, proud and jubilant, everyone burst into loud shouts. The father, as they say, even shed tears of joy, kissed Alexander as he dismounted from his horse and said: “Seek, my son, a kingdom for yourself, for Macedonia is too small for you!”
Alexander took him on a campaign to Asia, but took care of his favorite and used other horses in battle. In the battle on the Granik River, one of them was killed under him.
Arrian, Curtius and Plutarch tell a story that happened somewhere in the Caspian region of Persia. The local barbarians, the Uxii, stole the horse. Then Alexander ordered that it be returned to him immediately, otherwise he would destroy the entire people. The king’s favorite horse was returned safe and sound, and Alexander, to celebrate, even paid a ransom to the kidnappers.
Once the king, looking at his portrait painted by Apsles in Ephesus, did not give due praise to the artist’s skill. By chance they brought me to the portrait. He, as if alive, greeted the owner depicted in the picture with his neighing. Amazed Apslles exclaimed, “Lord, the horse turned out to be a better connoisseur of art than you.”
Many authors report that he died in a battle with the Indian king Porus in 326 BC. e., Plutarch conveys a compromise version that he died from wounds after the battle with Porus. According to Arrian, he was the same age as Alexander; then his death occurred at a very advanced age for horses.
The city, founded by Alexander and named after his horse, exists today under the name Jalalpur in Pakistan. It also preserves ruins from ancient times.
In Tajikistan there is Lake Iskanderkul (Alexandra’s name in Persian pronunciation sounds like Iskander), in which, according to legend, a horse drowned.
Only the baby does not know who owned the glorious name. Today it is believed that the animal, called Bucephalus, is simply obliged to bring good luck. It is known that the horse of Alexander the Great is a creature that stands on a par with historical figures. There are many legends, memories, chronicles and other materials associated with it that prove or disprove its existence. We will try to find out what the horse was, where it came from, and how we treated it.
Taming of the Shrew
Everyone knows the name of the horse, but no one has information about how the king got it. And history itself does not know this. But there are several legends regarding the origin of the animal. According to one of them, Bucephalus was acquired by Alexander's father. He bought it from a merchant for 13 talents. King Philip doubted for a long time whether he needed such a purchase. After all, for the money that had to be paid for a horse, it was possible to support a company of soldiers of one and a half thousand people. In addition, the animal had a capricious temper. But the future king of Macedonia decided to tame the horse, and for this the merchant would reduce the cost of the stallion. Bucephalus was afraid of shadows, Alexander, noticing this, showed ingenuity and directed him towards the sun.
At first everything went calmly, the young man watched the horse, pacifying it a little. He released Bucephalus only when he realized that he did not pose any threat. King Philip silently watched everything that was happening. But when Alexander, without hiding his glee, rode up to him on a horse, he could not hold back his tears. It was at this moment that Philip uttered words that sounded like a prophecy. Today no one can quote them, but the meaning of the phrase can be conveyed: Macedonia is small for Alexander, he must find a kingdom that suits his character.
Then the future Macedonian ruler was only 12 years old. And Bucephalus, the horse of Alexander the Great, was even younger. By the standards accepted for animals, the horse did not have great parameters. Her height at the withers reached 136-146 centimeters. But with all this, she received a nickname, which translates as “bull-headed” or “bull-headed”.
Horse with a peacock tail
Another legend describes the appearance and origin of the horse very beautifully and touchingly. It is believed that Alexander the Great's favorite horse had an ivory horn and an emerald peacock tail. It was presented to Alexander for his birthday by the Egyptian queen. Until Bucephalus fell into the hands of his owner, he was unbroken. No one could tame the wild animal; it was unusually large and felt how people were afraid of it. That is why no one could curb him. But Alexander was known as a brave young man who did not give in to any fears. When he matured and was able to make people fear himself, he ordered the horse to be brought to him.
Bucephalus, at the sight of his master, showed humility: he poked his horn into the ground and began to wait for the king’s orders. Macedonsky appreciated the act and named the horse the name that is known to this day.
Origin of the name of the great horse
Let's figure out what the name of Alexander the Great's horse was and what justified the choice of this particular nickname. Bucephalus is ancient Greek name, which translated means “bull-headed”. There are several versions of why the animal received such a nickname. Some historians claim that the horse had a large, massive head that resembled the head of a bull. Other scientists talk about the existence white spot on the forehead, imitating the same bull's head. According to the text of the third legend, Bucephalus was marked with a mark in the form of a bull, since he grew up on the plains of Thessaly, and in those days all animals raised near the city of Pharsala were marked with just such a mark.
Bucephalus at war
Many secrets surround the history of what the name of Alexander the Great's horse was, where it came from and how it fell into the hands of its owner. But it is reliably known that he was his master’s favorite and took part in most of the military actions carried out by the conqueror. He was his friend, support and protector.
Alexander adored his four-legged friend so much that he protected him from enemies and death. So, one day the Macedonian, going on a campaign to Asia, took Bucephalus with him. But so that he would not get hurt, he kept him on a leash, and during the battles he used other animals. In one of the battles, one of the horses was killed. This time Alexander the Great saved his comrade.
One day, however, the commander did not take care of the horse, and he was kidnapped. This happened in Persia. The Uxii, local barbarians, stole Bucephalus. Upon learning of this, Alexander threatened to wipe out the entire Uksi people from the face of the Earth if the horse was not returned. Fearing death, the thieves gave up the stolen goods, and Makedonsky himself, out of joy for the successful outcome of this event, paid a ransom to the thieves.
Death of Bucephalus
The death of the great horse is no less legendary than his life and adventures. We found out what the name of Alexander the Great’s horse was, all that remains is to find out how he left this world. There is information that Bucephalus died during the battle with the king of India, Porus. And other sources report natural death animal in extreme old age. This also happened in India. And at the place of his resting place, Alexander ordered the construction of a city of the same name.
Many people know the name of Alexander the Great (Macedonian king from 336 BC) - a conqueror renowned throughout the centuries. An interesting fact is that Alexander's horse, named Bucephalus, also etched in history along with its owner.
One of the most reliable works on Alexander’s appearance. The only surviving image of the great commander made from life
We want to tell you a little about how this horse was purchased by the future commander. By the way, the famous ancient Greek philosopher and biographer Plutarch writes about this in detail. We hope that ours will bring you at least new knowledge.
Courage was evident from early youth. One day his father, Philip II, was advised to buy a good 11-year-old stallion named Bucephalus.
It should be noted here that the word “Bucephalus” comes from the Greek “Bucephalus”, which means “Bull-headed”. And indeed, the proposed horse had an unusual head shape and resembled a bull.
The price asked by the merchant was truly royal: he set a huge sum of 13 talents, which is equal to approximately 340 kilograms of silver. By those standards it was incredibly expensive even for a very good horse.
However, given the fact that the animal was wild and untamed, Philip, without thinking twice, decided to refuse the purchase.
To this, the offended Alexander, who was 10-11 years old at that time, exclaimed:
“Father, because you don’t know how to ride properly, you are giving up a magnificent horse!”
To this the Macedonian ruler, angry, replied:
“I bet you won't curb him.” However, if you succeed, I will buy it for you.
Alexander quickly returned, approached Bucephalus, grabbed him by the bridle and turned him against the sun. He did this because he immediately noticed how the horse was afraid of its own shadow. Then he began to stroke, talk and run next to the stallion, holding him to his agility. When Bucephalus got used to Alexander’s voice and began to breathe heavily, the future commander threw off his cloak and instantly jumped onto his horse.
At that same second, the horse began to wriggle, jump in different directions and rear up in order to throw off the unfamiliar weight from its back. The boy, holding on as best he could, allowed the animal to “let off steam” and get used to the rider.
So the famous Bucephalus was tamed by Alexander the Great, after which for a long time became a faithful companion, friend and ally of the future conqueror of the world.
Interesting case happened to Alexander's comrade-in-arms during one of his campaigns against Persia. The barbarians kidnapped the royal favorite, as a result of which Alexander announced:
“If my horse is not returned by the appointed time, I will destroy all your people.”
Of course, Bucephalus was delivered to the ruler safe and sound. It would seem a simple case from the realities of the war of that time, but it clearly demonstrates how attached the commander was to his horse.
Alexander the Great on a fragment of an ancient Roman mosaic from Pompeii It is also useful to know that Bucephalus had one distinctive feature: the vestiges of toes were clearly visible on his feet.
Everyone already knows that 2014 is the year of the horse. And, for sure, many of you on New Year’s Eve will wear something with a horse print or put on a mask, or even a whole horse’s head. In order not to answer the question “who are you?” with the hackneyed phrase “a horse in a coat,” we suggest quickly studying the list of the most famous horses and find yourself in it. And, in the end, stop confusing Bucephalus with Bolivar!
PEGASUS
The favorite of the muses, the winged stallion Pegasus according to ancient Greek myths born from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when her head was cut off. He was Perseus's horse in the episode of saving Andromeda and Bellerophon's accomplice in the murder of the Chimera. The horse flew at the speed of the wind, and before that it accelerated along the ground and knocked out springs with its hooves. This is how the famous source of Hippocrene arose near the grove of the Muses, from which poets drew inspiration. Pegasus also delivered lightning and thunder from Hephaestus to Zeus on Olympus. The Templars placed the image of a winged horse on their coat of arms as a symbol of contemplation, eloquence and glory.
TROJAN HORSE
From the school history course, everyone remembers that it was this horse that helped the Greeks win the war, which began because Paris stole Helen, the wife of the Greek king Menelaus. The Greeks sailed to Troy, besieged the city, and built wooden horse, inside of which, according to some sources, 50 of the best warriors of Sparta were hidden, according to others - 100, according to others - 23, or even nine. The naive Trojans, mistaking the huge horse at the gate for a gift, brought it into the city, and at night the soldiers got out of the horse, opened the gates to the rest of the army and took possession of Troy. Virgil’s hemistich “fear the Danaans, even those who bring gifts” has become a proverb, and the expression “ Trojan horse" is now used in the sense of an insidious plan.
BUCEPHALUS
Bucephalus (from Greek “bull-headed”) is the favorite horse of Alexander the Great. According to legend, at the age of ten, Tsarevich Alexander was the only one who was able to tame this horse, and since then only Bucephalus allowed him to ride. Moreover, the horse always knelt when he was brought to his owner. Alexander loved Bucephalus madly, took care of him and did not use him in battles. According to legend, the Persian barbarians kidnapped Bucephalus, but when Alexander threatened them with complete extermination, they immediately returned him to the owner. By the way, they say that this nickname was actually given to Alexander by his enemies, and he turned his attention to his horse because of his disproportionate physique. It is also believed that Bucephalus was not afraid of anything except his shadow.
UNICORN
This mythical creature symbolizes chastity. Present in many mythological systems - more often with the body of a horse, less often - of a goat, deer or bull, and in some places even with wings. The most unusual Persian unicorn is in the form of a three-legged white donkey with six eyes, nine mouths and a golden horn. But we are used to white, with blue eyes. Legends claim that he is insatiable when pursued, but obediently lies down on the ground if a virgin approaches him. In general, they say, it is impossible to catch a unicorn, and if you do, you can only hold it with a golden bridle. All his power, naturally, lies in the horn, and it is also attributed to him healing properties in the treatment of various diseases and snake bites. Unicorns eat flowers and drink morning dew. They also look for small lakes in the depths of the forest, in which they swim, from which the water becomes very clean and acquires healing properties.
CENTAUR
By Greek mythology- These are wild mortal creatures with the head and torso of a man on the body of a horse. They usually accompany Dionysus and are distinguished by their violent temperament and intemperance. In myths, centaurs are either educators of heroes, or, on the contrary, hostile to them. Chiron was considered the wisest centaur, who was almost always dressed, which emphasized his closeness to people. Sometimes the front legs of the centaurs were human - to enhance civilization. The centaurs fought tirelessly with their neighbors the Lapiths, trying to kidnap the wives from their tribe for themselves. Once the Lapiths invited centaurs to a wedding, and the tipsy guest insulted the bride by starting the famous “centauromachy.” The centaurs fled defeated, and then most of them were killed by Hercules, and those who escaped listened to the sirens, stopped eating and died of hunger. As a rule, the centaur is naked and armed, and in particularly ancient images he is endowed with both human and horse genitals.
KINNAR
This is a centaur in reverse: the body of a man, the head of a horse. Kinnars are semi-divine winged creatures. The first book of the Mahabharata says that the kinnars were in the service of Indra and were celestial musicians and singers.
INCITATE
Favorite horse of Emperor Caligula. According to legend, Caligula first made the horse a citizen of Rome, then appointed him a Roman senator. They say that Caligula would have managed to make his horse consul if he had not been killed. He loved this stallion so much that he built him a stable of marble and ivory with a golden drinking trough. Then he gave him a palace with servants and utensils. Caligula declared Incitatus “the incarnation of all the gods” and ordered him to be venerated. After the assassination of the emperor, it was said in defense of the horse that he, unlike other senators, did not kill anyone and did not give the emperor a single bad advice. But there was one problem: according to the law, no one, not even a horse, could be expelled from the Senate before the end of his term of office. Then Incitat's salary was cut, and he was removed from the Senate as not meeting the financial qualifications.
HORSE OF THE PROPHETIC OLEG
The meanest horse in history. According to legend, the Magi predicted to Prince Oleg that he would die from his beloved stallion. Oleg ordered the horse to be taken away, lived without him for many years and remembered the prediction only four years later, when he had long since died. Oleg laughed and wanted to look at the bones, stood with his foot on the skull and said: “Should I be afraid of him?” At that moment, a snake crawled out of the skull and fatally stung the prince.
HORSE FROM THE GAME “LUCKY ACCIDENT”
BOLIVAR
This is from the story “Roads We Take” (1910) by the American writer O. Henry. Bolivar is the name of a horse on which two friends could have escaped, but one of them, named Dodson, nicknamed Shark, abandoned his friend and escaped on the horse himself. In his defense, he said: “Bolivar cannot stand two.” Later, when Dodson became a major entrepreneur, these words became his motto, which guided his relations with his business partners. In short, it’s either you or you.
HUMPED HUMPED HORSE
A small, hunchbacked, but very playful and intelligent horse from Ershov’s fairy tale of the same name. As usual, he helped Ivan in all matters, protected, entertained. Few people know, but the fairy tale experienced all the vicissitudes of censorship - at first it was published with amendments, and in 1843 it was completely banned and was not published for 13 years. Pushkin praised “The Little Humpbacked Horse,” and Belinsky declared that the fairy tale “has not only no artistic merit, but even the merit of an amusing farce.”
RED HORSE
“Bathing the Red Horse” is a famous painting by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, painted in 1912 and which brought him fame. Petrov-Vodkin based his horse on a real stallion named Boy, and to create the image of the rider, the artist used the features of his student, a very handsome young man, the artist Kalmykov. Moreover, it was Kalmykov’s work with red horses bathing in water that may have inspired Petrov-Vodkin to create his masterpiece. They say that the horse was first painted as a bay, and then the color was changed to red to make it more similar to the colors of the icons. Now - in the Tretyakov Gallery.
CANVAS METER
An old, sick, experienced horse from a story by Leo Tolstoy. In fact, the gelding’s name was “Muzhik First,” and Kholstomer was his nickname. In the story, he tells his story to the other horses in the first person. Due to a defect in the breed, Kholstomer was considered second-class from childhood, although he was fast. One day he fell in love with a mare, but was immediately castrated. Then Kholstomer was given to the stablemaster, but he turned out to be faster than the count's, and he was sold, and then more than once. Kholstomer was killed in a ravine by a farrier, but his skin and meat were useful to someone, while one of his owners, an officer, although he was buried with pomp, lived a generally worthless life. The story was written in 1886 based on a true story.
WHITE-MANED HORSES
The cartoon, beloved by all Soviet children, about how Little Bear gave his friends new country- Tilimilitryamdiyu. (Screen, 1980)
HORSES OF THE HORSEMON OF THE APOCALYPSE
Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a term from the sixth chapter of the Revelations of John the Theologian, the last of the books of the New Testament. Still not consensus, what exactly each of the horsemen represents, however they are often called Plague (on a white horse), War (on a red horse), Famine (on a black horse) and Death (on a pale horse). By the way, they are mentioned in the songs: Metallica “The Four Horsemen”, Alisa “Horsemen”, Rammstein “Der Meister”.
LOSHARIK
Losharik is a small horse made from juggling balls, voiced in the 1971 cartoon by Rina Zelenaya. The cartoon is, in fact, philosophical: Losharik is different from the “real” circus animals, so they constantly mock him, doubting his artistic talent. Moreover, they simply refuse to perform with him! The juggler is upset and also breaks off all relations with Losharik, and the horse leaves the circus. But the audience is outraged because they loved Losharik, and so the juggler, performing, throws up his balls and, out of habit, folds Losharik again. Peace, friendship, applause. Animator of the cartoon - Yuri Norshtein (“Hedgehog in the Fog”).
NIGHT MARE
It's not what you think. Few people know that English word“nightmare” literally translates as “night mare.” History goes back to Ancient Greece, where in the temples of the Great Mother there were two castes of priestesses: priestesses of the day in red robes and priestesses of the night (lamias) in black. The priestesses' clothing was a tight-fitting net woven from horse hair, and the priestesses had horse hair woven into their hair. The lamias left the temple only at night.
Only the most beautiful and passionate women, skilled in love, were chosen as priestesses. Any man could desire one, but in order to possess the priestess, the man had to tear the net on her body with his bare hands. Horsehair is very durable, and only in a fit of crazy passion strong man could do something like this. If he did not have enough strength, then punishment followed immediately. In the case of the day priestess, the loser was castrated, the lamias gave the loser a kiss and at that time they plunged a dagger, which served as a hairpin, into the back, killing instantly. Lamia is the prototype of the night mare. In Greece and Rome, it was believed that at night a black mare appears at crossroads, and the person who sees her will either face immediate death or great love. Thus, the lamias turned from priestesses into night ghosts. The Romans brought it with them to Britain, where the word mare also means girl in Old English.
HORSE IN A COAT
Famous horse from folklore. There is even a monument erected to him in the center of Sochi. An imposing horse in an expensive English coat, with a cup of wine and a branded pipe in the horse’s smoky teeth, sits with his forelimbs stretched out. The horse smiles with a wide horse smile: life, they say, is a success! The monument was created with the help blacksmith's forge, hammer, sledgehammer and welding machine from a piece water pipe weighing more than 80 kg. All this cost 120 thousand rubles and was financed by one kind person, and then the monument was bought by the city of Sochi.
PRZHEWALSKY'S HORSE
This is a wild horse. Unlike other horses, she has no bangs, a short erect mane and long hair on the tail they do not grow from the very base of the tail, but only on its lower half. She also has long, wavy hair and a larger head than a normal horse. The horse is named after the person who discovered this species - Nikolai Przhevalsky, a Russian traveler and naturalist who noticed an animal unknown to science in Central Asia. There are about 2,000 individuals in the world, and the stud book of Przewalski's horses is kept by the Prague Zoo. In the early 1990s, several horses were released into the Ukrainian exclusion zone as an experiment. Chernobyl nuclear power plant, where they, surprisingly, began to actively reproduce.
ROSINANTE
The name of Don Quixote's horse. The hero took a long time to choose the name of his horse, because... it was supposed to indicate her past and present, corresponding to the new type of activity and status of the owner. As a result, he settled on the name Rocinante (“rosin” - nag; “ante” - before) - “a name explaining that before this horse was an ordinary nag, but now, ahead of all the others, it has become the first nag in the world.” As you know, she was terribly skinny.
PONY
For example, from the famous Soviet cartoon “The Pony Runs in a Circle.” It's about how there lived a little pony at the zoo who gave rides to children and dreamed of participating in a military parade. One day a general came to the zoo and decided to ride a pony. While riding, the general remembered his childhood and imagined himself as a little boy. And the pony realized that his job is to give joy to children and adults, and what he does is no less important than participating in parades.
PEDAL HORSE
Its history is known thanks to the diaries of Alexander the Great found during excavations. Before Bucephalus (see above), Alexander did not ride live horses, because his father was very worried that the prince would harm himself. They built him a wooden horse with wheels, driven by pedals. The same horses were made for his friends, and they staged battles on pedal horses, imitating real battles. Perhaps thanks to this, Alexander became a skilled commander. But now this phrase means a person who is narrow-minded, dull and stubborn. And all because in the 50s of the last century, in the bowels of the defense industry of the USSR, they designed a horse that combined wheels and a bicycle that was in short supply. The product was called “pedal horse”, but was soon discontinued as not functional. And the name itself went down among the people, becoming one of the symbols of human stupidity.
SPIRIT
A horse from an American cartoon by DreamWorks Animation. In the 1870s, there were bloody battles between the American nation and the Indians, and on the banks of the American Cimarron River a foal was born who would eventually be named Spirit. When he grew up, he became the leader of the herd. And everything would have been fine if one day the stallion had not decided to check what kind of light was visible in the distance and had not been captured by people. But, naturally, with his unbending will he surpasses everyone who tries to conquer him. This is a completely drawn film that was nominated in several Oscar categories, but never won a single award.
HORSES ON ANICHKOV BRIDGE
Anichkov Bridge is one of the visiting cards of St. Petersburg. In terms of general architecture, it’s nothing special, but Klodt’s sculptural group “The Taming of a Horse by Man” made this bridge famous. Well, the horses themselves are famous to many. Including the fact that instead of the genitals of one of them, the author depicted the profile of Napoleon. And the whole point is that at one time the emperor darkened Klodt’s honeymoon with very persistent courtship of his young wife.
SIVKA-BURKA
“Sivka-burka, prophetic kaurka” is a canonical assistant character in Russian folk tales. Explanation: sivka is white, burka is dark red, prophetic is wise, foreseeing the future, kauriy is fiery red. This is a beautiful heroic horse (not to be confused with the Little Humpbacked Horse).
FIRST MOVIE HORSE
This is the first horse to be filmed galloping. Someone argued with someone that a horse, when it gallops, does not leave the ground, and the second said that it flies up at a gallop. There were no movie cameras yet, so they placed a lot of cameras with ropes along the wall. The jockey rode his horse along the wall, breaking these ropes, and a bunch of pictures were obtained, from which they compiled a moving film and proved the flight phase. Essentially, this horse played important role in the development of cinema.
GUINGNM
This is a fictional horse with a mind similar to that of a human. The country of the Houyhnhnms is described in the fourth part of Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels. The Houyhnhnms were vegetarians and ate oats and dairy products. Their main virtues are friendship and goodwill towards all their fellows. They never lie, and in the Houyhnhnm language there are no words at all for “lie” and “deception.” They do not know illness, they die without suffering. Some of the Houyhnhnms, less gifted by nature, worked as servants, but this is the only social inequality in their society.
HORSES LEVISES
These are the horses from the famous label that appeared on Levi's jeans in 1886. According to legend, the creators of the brand heard about how one driver tied the cars with jeans when their coupling broke during the journey, and safely reached the nearest station. Then the owners of the brand decided to conduct a similar experiment and successfully tested their jeans for strength with horses.
THREE WHITE HORSES
Choose anyone. But in principle, as Mayakovsky said, “we are all a little bit of a horse, each of us is a horse in our own way.” Especially in the coming year.
