While visiting Japan, I saw in Hiroshima, Hakone and Tokyo several statues and drawings of Pegasus. At first, I was surprised; then, I realized that, after all, it was rather normal to meet with the famous winged horse of the Greek mythology, although it was far away from Greece!
Why not surprising? Because of his symbolism.
From poetry of the Greek lyric poet Pindar (5th c. B.C.) and the Latin Ovid (1st c.) we know that Pegasus is the son of Poseidon/Neptune, the god of water and the sea, and Medusa. Medusa used to be a beautiful woman before her metamorphosis in a terrible monster with snakes instead of hair and petrifying eyes. On this picture from a ceiling in a villa of Pompeii, she wears wings. And this is perhaps the reason why Pegasus is winged.
However, Medusa was the only mortal gorgon, and Perseus killed her by cutting off her head, as Ovid tells the story. ‘Perseus had himself look at the dread form of Medusa reflected in a circular shield of polished bronze that he carried on his left arm. And while a deep sleep held the snakes and herself, he struck her head from her neck. And the swift winged horse Pegasus and his brother the warrior Chrysaor were born from their mother’s blood.’ (The Metamorphoses, IV, translated by A.S. Kline, 2000).
An amazing birth, an amazing creature!
Only the hero Bellerophon (with a little help of the goddess Athena/Minerva) was able to catch Pegasus, as the winged horse was drinking water from the Pirene source in the city of Corinth. On Pegasus’ back Bellerophon slew the monster Chimera. Then he wanted to climb up to the Gods on Mount Olympus, but was unseated by Pegasus. This is the sculpture (by C. Mills, 1949) that we can see in the splendid Open-air Museum of Hakone:
Bellerophon’s life ended miserably; on the contrary, Pegasus won the favor to carry forever Zeus/Jupiter’s thunder and lightnings, as a celestial steed!
Pegasus is associated with the four elements. With air, as his wings allow him to be a celestial courrier. With fire, because of his office given by Zeus. With earth, as he comes back each night to his stable in Corinth!
Finally, he is associated with water, for several reasons. Etymologically speaking, his name of Pegasus comes from the Greek πηγη (pêgê), the source. Moreover, he is the son of the god of water and the sea. In addition, he made the Hippocrene source spring up from his hoof, as tells Ovid in The Metamorphoses.
‘Minerva headed for Mount Helicon, home of the virgin Muses, crossing the sea by whichever way seemed quickest. Reaching it, she alighted there and spoke to the sisters, learned in song, saying: ‘Talk of a new fountain has reached my ears, that gushed out from under the hard hoof of winged Pegasus, born of Medusa. That is the reason for my journey. I wanted to see this wonderful creation. He himself I saw born from his mother’s blood.’ Urania replied: ‘Whatever reason brings you here, to see our home, goddess, you are dear to our hearts. But the tale is true: Pegasus is the source of our fountain’, and she led her to the sacred waters. Pallas, having looked in wonder, for a long time, at this stream made by the blow of the horse’s hoof…’ (The Metamorphoses, V, translated by A.S. Kline, 2000).
By the way, the Greek name Hippocrene comes from two nouns: ιππος hippos, horse + κρηνη crênê source, fountain, and the Latin name is fons caballinus (given by the poet Persius, 1st c. A.D.), literally meaning ‘the source/fountain of the horse’.
Hence, this winged horse symbolizes a winged source, which illustrates the relationship between elevation and fertility. The Hippocrene source was once believed to give inspiration to people drinking its water, and the word Hippocrene is still ‘used to refer to poetic or literary inspiration‘, according to the Oxford Dictionary of English.
As a result, Pegasus appears as the symbol of poetic inspiration.
Moreover, the Muses and Apollo, god of Arts, were also worshipped on Mount Parnassus, which was ‘regarded as a symbol of poetry‘ (O.D.E.). This is probably why the Italian painter Andrea Mantegna painted ‘The Parnassus‘ (1497) including Pegasus (on the right, beside Hermes/Mercury, who was also a messenger of gods).
Altogether, it is not surprising to meet Pegasus in cultural places like Japanese museums and parks – as well as everywhere in the world!
Nowadays, Pegasus’ image is used rightly or wrongly to symbolize many different things.
For example, it symbolizes speed (as an American motor oil):
or it has an aesthetic value (for a Japanese ‘Restaurant & Beauty zone‘ in Hiroshima):
However, Pegasus should not be the companion of Hercules in Disney’s pictures – not a mythological reality!
Finally, the weirdest image I have seen is this advertising poster for cigarettes in Tokyo Museum of Tobacco & Salt, where Pegasus is smoking:
Understand who can!