The Story of Eternal

Eternal

24 x 28 inch Oil and mixed media on canvas

“The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears” - Arabian Proverb

This painting is the second in my ‘Freedom’ series.  I was inspired by the story of pegasus and how he represents the freedom that we all value.  Our connection to myths and legends, I believe, is that they touch a deep need inside of us, which is very often mirrored in the thing that we love, or what we perceive to be beautiful.

Read on for the story of Pegasus:

Pegasus was an immortal, magical, winged stallion in Greek mythology.  His father, Poseidon, was the god of the sea, horses, storms and earthquakes, and his mother was the snake - haired Gorgon Medusa. 

Pegasus was capable of creating streams of water wherever he struck his hoof.  The two famous ones were both called Hippocrene, the most well known one is on Mount Helicon; the sacred place of the Muses.

Athena, the Goddess of War, tamed Pegasus with a magic golden bridle, and when a hero called Bellerophon asked for her help she gave him the bridle and Pegasus knowing that it was from Athena let him climb on his back to ride him.

One day Bellerophon was accused of something that he didn’t do, and was given a seemingly impossible task of killing the Chimera, which was a fire-breathing monster with the head and body of a lion, a goats head on his back, and a snake for a tail.

Bellerophon climbed on the Pegasus back to use the winged horse in the battle.  Bellerophon was able to fight the Chimera from above because Pegasus could fly, and he repeatedly stabbed the monster from above with lead tipped spears until it was dead.

Bellerophon and Pegasus went on to complete more challenges and battles together, including a battle with the Amazons.

Bellerophon began to feel that he should not be with the mortals on earth, but deserved to be with the Gods on Mount Olympus, so one day he decided to fly to Olympus with Pegasus.  As they flew higher and higher, Zeus (King of the Gods), became very angry at Bellerophon and sent a horsefly down from the mountain.  The horsefly bit Pegasus, causing him to buck in pain which threw Bellerophon from his back.  Bellerophon fell back to earth and was killed.

Pegasus carried on flying and reached Mount Olympus.  He then served Zeus for many years by fetching his thunder and lightening bolts whenever he needed them.

On the last day of Pegasus’ life, Zeus rewarded him for his loyal service by making him into a constellation in the sky to live forever.

Today Pegasus is a symbol of freedom.