Pegasus < Πήγασος>

the immortality of the soul

In Greek mythology, Pegasus is the winged steed whose mighty hoof strike brought forth the sacred Hippocrene, the fountain of the Muses, upon the slopes of Mount Helicon. The etymology of his name is thought to derive from the Greek *pegai*, meaning "springs of the Ocean," or perhaps *pege*, which signifies a "spring" or "fountain." The latter part of his name, *sus*, is of pre-Greek origin, signifying a "bridled horse," and is believed to reference the figurehead of a ship. Consequently, the name Pegasus may be interpreted as "Fountain Horse," symbolising a creature whose very being is intertwined with the life-giving force of water and inspiration.

Star lore of all ages, William Tyler Olcott, 1911.

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.

The Winged Horse or Pegasus symbolises heightened power of the natural forces - the innate capacity for spiritualisation 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, symbolise the transport of the soul of the deceased to Heaven. 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 symbolises the immortality of the soul, and serves as the carrier and protector of the spirit in its journeys to the astral 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.

Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506) - Parnassus, Detail of Pegasus and Mercury.

Pegasus embodies the spirit of transcendence, of shedding the weight of the world and embracing the freedom of flight. The wings that span from his shoulders are not merely physical; they symbolize the expansive nature of the human soul, capable of soaring beyond the material plane to touch the eternal. The horse’s flight through the air also speaks to the transformative power of inspiration, as the steed is often depicted as a bringer of creative impulses—art, poetry, and knowledge spring from his hooves.

In a spiritual context, Pegasus is often seen as a bridge between the earthly self and the divine, a reminder that within each of us lies the potential for transcendence, for breaking through the limitations imposed by our worldly circumstances. His ascent to the heavens is a call to rise above the trivialities of daily life, to seek wisdom, to pursue higher truth, and to understand the interconnectedness of all things in the universe.

To encounter Pegasus is to be reminded that our spirits are not bound by the chains of time and space. It is to recognise that the journey of the soul is one of elevation, growth, and ultimate freedom—an invitation to release the gravity of ego and embrace the boundless potential of the divine within. As Pegasus soars through the sky, he carries with him the eternal promise of liberation and enlightenment, offering an unspoken truth: the heights of our own being are within reach, should we dare to spread our wings.