Facts about Pegasus

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1. Pegasus is Greek
Pegasus is a Greek mythological creature. His name, which is derived from the word Pegasos originates, from two words which are ‘Pegos’ which means strong, and ‘Pegaios’ which means from a water spring.

2. Pegasus’ Parents
Pegasus is believed to be an offspring of the Gorgon Medusa and Poseidon, god of the sea. Pegasus was born when Perseus cut off Gorgon Medusa’s head. The blood that sprang out gave rise to this mythical creature depicted as a winged horse.

3. Pegasus’ Twin
After Medusa was beheaded, Pegasus is not the only creature that was born of her blood. A strong warrior known as ‘Chrysaor’ also sprang forth from the blood hence is considered his twin brother. Chrysaor, who is depicted as a giant, may also have been conceived as a winged boar, just as his twin brother was a winged horse. He later had off springs and was the father of the three headed Geryones and Echidna.

4. Pegasus’ Magical Hooves
There is a belief that the slightest touch of Pegasus hooves created springs. The most famous spring created by this winged horse is known as the ‘Hippocrene’ found on Mt. Helicon. Pegasus was thrusting the side of the mountain with his hooves, and his marks caused springs to turn into fountains of inspiration. The creature was excited because he was given to the Muses after being parentless at Mt. Helicon where goddess Athena took him. The springs were sacred to the Muses.

5. Other names for Pegasus
Pegasus is also called Sonipes, which means “Noisy-footed”. Pegasus who was adopted by Zeus was brought to live on Mt. Olympus. The winged horse carried the thunderbolts of Zeus. Due to this responsibility, Pegasus is sometimes called ‘Thundering Horse of Jove’ because he carried the divine lightning bolts of Zeus.

6. Bellerophon tamed Pegasus
The goddess Athena left Bellerophon with a magic bridle that would allow him to ride Pegasus. He carried the bridle to the well at Pirene where he found the winged horse taking a drink. He captured and tamed the horse using the bridle. Bellerophon had a mission to kill Chimera, a creature that wrecked havoc in the village by eating up women and children. Together with Pegasus, they performed heroic acts together including killing the fire-breathing monster that was Chimera.

7. Pegasus separated from Bellerophon
Bellerophon decided to fly to Mount Olympus to join Zeus and the other gods despite being forbidden. Due to this disobedient act, Zeus sent a fly to disrupt Pegasus. The fly stung the winged horse making him jump and drop Bellerophon, who fell to the earth below. Bellerophon might not have fallen to his demise but was left crippled.

8. Pegasus’ Character
Pegasus was a strong and mighty creature. The winged horse was beautiful and heroic. The fact that the horse could fly depicted and supported the view of the horse as a strong creature. Pegasus was submissive and obedient to his masters. However, the fact that he could be captured, tamed and ridden by anyone came out as a weakness.

9. Pegasus’ Offsprings
Pegasus mated with Euippe and had two offsprings. The children of Pegasus and Euippe were called Celeris and Melanippe. This family constituted a whole new generation of winged horses. Like his father Pegasus, Celeris was honored by being sent to the celestial sphere under the constellation name Equuleus.

10. Pegasus Constellation
On the last day of the winged horse, Zeus gave him an honor by changing him into a beautiful set of stars. Pegasus has been recognized as a constellation for 2000 years, and is easily noticeable due to his bright asterism known as the square of Pegasus.

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