Pegasus (Winged)
creaturePegasus was the immortal winged horse born from Medusa's blood whose hoof-strike created the Hippocrene spring of poetic inspiration.
The Myth
Springing from Medusa's severed neck alongside Chrysaor, Pegasus flew to Mount Helicon and struck a rock with his hoof, creating the Hippocrene ("horse spring") sacred to the Muses. He was tamed by Bellerophon using Athena's golden bridle. Together they slew the Chimera. When Bellerophon tried to ride Pegasus to Olympus, Zeus sent a gadfly; Bellerophon fell. Pegasus continued to Olympus to carry Zeus's thunderbolts and was placed among the stars as a constellation.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Pegasus's hoof created the spring of poetic inspiration — making a horse born from a monster's death the ultimate source of art.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Athena
godGoddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, born fully armored from the head of Zeus. Patron deity of...
Bellerophon
heroThe hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and used him to slay the monstrous Chimera. His story...
Chimera
creatureA fire-breathing monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail. The Chimera...
Chrysaor
creatureChrysaor was a giant with a golden sword who sprang from Medusa's blood alongside Pegasus — father...
Medusa
creatureA winged Gorgon with serpents for hair whose gaze could turn any living creature to stone. Once...
Muses
conceptNine sister goddesses who inspired all forms of art, literature, and knowledge. Every poet,...