The Magnificent Mount of the Muses,
The Winged Horse of Greek Mythology...
Pegasus, the Winged Horse, was the son of Poseidon and Medusa, sprang from the
blood of Medusa when it dropped into the sea after her head had been severed
by Perseus. Pegasus appears again and again throughout mythology. He was captured
by Bellerophon at the water of his fountain and ridden by him when he killed
the dreaded three headed Chimaera. Pegasus became the thundering horse of Zeus
which is why he appears among the stars. Pegasus was later brought to Mount
Helicon by Bellerophon and with one kick of his hoof, he caused the spring of
Hippocrene to flow. Hippocrene is said to be the source of inspiration to poets.
Bellerophon, who slayed the hideous beast Chimaera, became so headstrong that
he ordered Pegasus to fly him up to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. This
impudence angered Zeus, who sent an insect to sting the winged horse, who bucked
Bellerophon off its back. Needless to say, Bellerophon did not survive the fall
to Earth. Pegasus went on to greatness, however, as the "Thundering Horse
of Jove" who carried lightning bolts for Zeus.
Symbolism:
Horses are a potent symbol from almost every world religion and mythology. Many
of its myths express the horse's innate clairvoyance and ability to perceive
the magic within humans. Some view the horse as the symbol of strength, virility
and lust. According to popular belief it loses its sexual powers when its mane
is cut, and is the only animal which shows sorrow because it weeps for its dead
master (though this is later belief is not exclusive to the Horse-Human relationship).
Also, it is a symbol for loyalty and devotion, such as the faith it has with
it's master. It also represents the warrior spirit, bravery and courage. Strength
& Sexual Energy
Wings are a symbol that denotes "flight" and often represent prayer
and contemplation, especially in the sense of feathered bird-like wings. A spiritual
or religious symbol they represent the soul's ability to transcend the weight
of earthly burdens and rise above such concerns into the air, even to Heaven
itself, to the presence of God. In Christian symbolism, through demonization,
there are also the accursed wings of such infernal creatures as vampires, basilisks,
dragons and others. These are the leathery wings of skin, like those of a bat,
whose appearance adds to the attributes of evil inherent in the beast. "Skin"
being a symbol of the carnal nature of man, therefore sinful, is connected to
the to the idea of the perversion of the intellectual faculties toward evil
purposes. Azrael, the Angel of Death, is often depicted with leathery wings,
(i.e., the satyr-like devil, Satan [the former Angel of Light, Lucifer] the
Destroyer). These are the typical wings of the Hellhorse or the Chimaera. Transcendence
& Liberty.
The Winged Horse or Pegasus symbolizes heightened power of the natural forces - the innate capacity for spiritualization and for inverting evil into good. As a Christian and religious symbol, Pegasus was adopted from the attribution as the mount of Apollo, the God of pure light, beauty and truth to be included in the symbolic fauna of Christ. Winged horses, in general, symbolize the transport of the soul of the deceased Christian to Heaven, and figuratively, like Apollo the Sun-god, represents Christ lifted up and, like the sun, 'Full of Glory,' and as the Revealer of Mysteries and the causer of refreshing (as in the passage: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles..." - Isaiah 40:31). Also, during the Apocalypse, Pegasus has been compared to the "white horse" whom the conqueror rides in the book of Revelation in the Bible. Aside from being a general symbol of creative inspiration and poetry, the flying horse is an expression for speed, power and swift transport. As an animal totem, Pegasus symbolizes the immortality of the soul, and serves as the carrier and protector of the spirit in its journeys to the astral plane (especially to the Moon - the emotional plane). Pegasus is closely linked to the Greek gods Poseidon (Neptune) [emotion ], his father; Athena (Minerva) [heavenly wisdom ], his protectress; Zeus (Jupiter) [guidance & creativity ] as his Thunder-bearer; and the Muse Urania [heavenly love ], his nursemaid, and the Muses [inspiration, memory and the arts ] in general; the heroes Perseus [intellect ] and Bellerophon [impudence ]; and the monsters Medusa [mortal wisdom ] and Chimaera [complex evil ]. Creative Inspiration & Benevolent Transformation, Communication & Transportation.