Melissa Barker-Simpson

A to Z Blogging Challenge – Day 18: Fantasy Squad – Pegasus

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No squad is complete without Pegasus, at least in my opinion. I have always loved the flying horse; a particular favourite within Greek mythology. You probably don’t need to know that I collected as many pictures, trinkets, and stories as I could growing up. I dreamt Pegasus came to whisk me away to places unknown – it was no knight in shining armour for me, I was happy with his stallion, and more interested in travelling to other worlds. Mostly. Okay that’s officially too much information!

So, briefly, in Greek mythology, Pegasus is the offspring of Poseidon and Medusa. It is said that he was born when Medusa was decapitated by Perseus. Much is written about his ascent to heaven, and his adventures. He was transformed into the constellation Pegasus by Zeus.

Pegasus by GoldenPhoenix100 Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Fantasy©2012-2015 GoldenPhoenix100
Pegasus by GoldenPhoenix100
Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Fantasy©2012-2015 GoldenPhoenix100

In media

  • Pegasus is the mascot for TriStar Pictures, and also appears as the logo or mascot for many other organisations.
  • He features in a number of films including; Fantasia; Hercules, and Clash of the Titans (both versions.)
  • In Stargate Atlantis, Pegasus is a galaxy.
  • Battlestar Pegasus was included in both versions of Battlestar Galactica.
  • In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Pegasus was a starship – the USS Pegasus.
  • Pegasus had a regular slot in the cartoon The Mighty Hercules.
  • In the Magna and Anime, Saint Seiya, Pegasus is a recurring motif.
  • One of the characters, Kira, from the Broadway production of Xanadu, rides on Pegasus to Mount Olympus.
  • Pegasus is frequently mentioned in Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. He appears in the final book, The Blood of Olympus.
  • Video games such as Age of Mythology; Hercules: Battle With The Gods, and God of War II all include a representation of Pegasus.

As always, this is just a flavour of how this mythical creature is portrayed. So, now it’s over to you. What is your favourite representation of Pegasus? Do you have any interesting stories to share? Which creature in Greek mythology is your favourite?

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

Mel

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31 responses to “A to Z Blogging Challenge – Day 18: Fantasy Squad – Pegasus”

  1. Natasha Duncan-Drake Avatar
    Natasha Duncan-Drake

    I always loved Pegasus in the original Clash of the Titans – he stuck with me from when I first saw it. I also have to admit to quite liking My Little Pony Friendship is Magic 😉
    Tasha
    Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      lol – I’ll admit to liking that too 😉

      Reply
  2. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
    Charles Yallowitz

    Think it was ‘Fantasia’ where I first saw or heard of a Pegasus. I thought they were very cool until I saw a griffin. Is plural still Pegasus or Pegasi?

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      For me there’s only one!

      Reply
      1. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
        Charles Yallowitz

        Guess that is how it would work in our world. Author’s choice for others then.

      2. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        I’m just thinking of the Greek legend is all 🙂 Pegasus being Poseidon and Medusa’s son (in most versions). I know there have been other winged horses, and maybe a Pegasus junior…who knows!

      3. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
        Charles Yallowitz

        Was it their son? I do remember it being born from Medusa when she was beheaded or at least escaping her body. Always strange that two non-horse beings would create one.

      4. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        Yes, in most versions of that particular tale, Poseidon came across Medusa, who was once beautiful, in Athena’s temple. They made love, which was of course sacrilege in the temple, and Athena cursed Medusa, turning her into a monster. She also told Perseus how to defeat her and when he cut off her head two children were born – Pegasus being one of them. I think the horse reference comes from the belief (by some) that Poseidon created the horses (or at least controlled them). And I know way too much about Greek mythology!!

      5. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
        Charles Yallowitz

        Forgot there was another kid. Which one was that?

      6. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        Chrysaor 😀

      7. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        If you’re interested, I did a post over at Sourcerer on Thursday – a profile on Poseidon https://sourcererblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/blogging-a-to-z-day-16-n-is-for-neptune-poseidon/

      8. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
        Charles Yallowitz

        Thanks. I’ll take a look at it.

      9. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        No problem 🙂

  3. callummclaughlin Avatar
    callummclaughlin

    I love mythology surrounding horses. I think there’s something quite majestic about them anyway, so they lend themselves nicely to whimsical tales 🙂

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      That’s true. They are a beautiful animal 🙂

      Reply
  4. Alex Hurst Avatar
    Alex Hurst

    I love Pegasus… I used to watch that really old cartoon about his myth as a kid over and over… I can still narrate it scene by scene…. such a cool animal!

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      I totally agree! And I can relate to narrating my favourite shows too – I’m so glad I’m not alone in that 😉

      Reply
  5. Jacqui Murray Avatar
    Jacqui Murray

    I’m so glad you included Pegasus. A crowd favorite, I’m sure.

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Yeah, he’s pretty great!

      Reply
  6. Patricia Lynne (@plynne_writes) Avatar
    Patricia Lynne (@plynne_writes)

    When I was little, I was always torn between pegasus and unicorn. Which one did I like more? Not quite sure, but being able to fly is definitely tipping the scales for the pegasus.

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      I can completely relate! Both are incredible – but to fly…that would be awesome! 🙂

      Reply
  7. heatherjacksonwrites Avatar
    heatherjacksonwrites

    Pegasus was always my favourite mythological creature. Maybe because I grew up riding horses and the idea of having one that could fly seemed like the best thing ever!

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Oh, the adventures you must have taken in your head!

      Reply
  8. Hannah G Avatar
    Hannah G

    When I was a kid I had a large number of imaginary friends, and some of them were a herd of winged horses that lived in the clouds over my house… They all had names and stuff, although I don’t remember them anymore! I’d actually forgotten all about it until just now. 😀

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      That is sooo cool! My imaginary friends were all in my head (and still are!).

      Reply
      1. Hannah G Avatar
        Hannah G

        Heh, well that too. I also had a couple of Unas from Stargate living in a cave in the creek behind my house… There were lots more, I just don’t remember them!

      2. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        You have the coolest friends 😉

      3. Hannah G Avatar
        Hannah G

        😉

  9. A to Z Blogging Challenge – Day 21: Fantasy Squad – Reaper | Melissa Barker-Simpson

    […] Day 18 – Fantasy Squad: Pegasus […]

    Reply
  10. Snarky Momma With Love Avatar
    Snarky Momma With Love

    Pegasus has been a long time favorite. I use to collect glass figurines of him until my collection was destroyed and I saw that as a bad omen. I still love him, just not in glass. Great listing of all the recent sightings!

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Thanks 🙂 I love him too – but I think I drilled that point home!

      Reply

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