Pegasus— Greek Creature"The Winged Horse"

Born from Blood

When Perseus struck off Medusa's head, something miraculous emerged from the Gorgon's severed neck: Pegasus, a winged horse of purest white, child of Poseidon conceived long ago but only now released. Along with his brother Chrysaor (a giant with a golden sword), Pegasus leaped forth and immediately flew up to Olympus, leaving the stunned Perseus behind.

The Thunder-Bearer

Pegasus became the favorite of Zeus, carrying his thunderbolts from the forge of Hephaestus to the king of gods. He lived on Mount Olympus, free and wild, allowing no mortal to approach. His hoofbeats on stone created springs of inspiration—the most famous being Hippocrene on Mount Helicon, sacred to the Muses.

Bellerophon's Dream

The hero Bellerophon longed to ride Pegasus and slay the monstrous Chimera. A seer advised him to sleep in Athena's temple, where the goddess appeared in a dream and gave him a golden bridle. Waking, Bellerophon found the bridle real in his hands. He approached Pegasus at the spring Peirene, and the horse, seeing the divine bridle, allowed himself to be mounted.

The Chimera's Death

Astride Pegasus, Bellerophon became invincible. He flew above the fire-breathing Chimera—part lion, part goat, part serpent—and shot arrows from a height she could not reach. Some say he thrust a lead-tipped spear into her mouth, and her own flames melted the lead, choking her. The hero became famous, but his pride grew with his glory.

The Fall of Bellerophon

Bellerophon decided he deserved to live on Olympus and rode Pegasus toward heaven. Zeus, outraged by his presumption, sent a gadfly that stung Pegasus, throwing Bellerophon back to earth. The hero survived but was crippled and blinded, doomed to wander alone until death. Pegasus, innocent of his rider's hubris, was welcomed to Olympus and eventually placed among the stars as a constellation.