A Pegasus tattoo will have a unique meaning for each person who chooses it. Common meanings for Pegasus tattoos include immortality, transformation, and beauty. The tattoo can also represent ancestry and history.
In this article, we’ll examine different meanings behind pegasus tattoos.
Pegasus
In Greek mythology, Pegasus is a winged horse. Pegasus is considered to be the offspring of Medusa, the snake-haired Gorgon, and Poseidon, the god of the sea. When Perseus, the son of the Greek god Zeus, beheaded Medusa, Pegasus was born from her blood.
In tattoos, Pegasus is often depicted in all white. Sometimes there will be color added to the wings. Tattoos feature Pegasus either as a young foal or as a full-grown horse. Though this tattoo is seen in various sizes, it is common for it to be on the back, chest, or side of the torso to display its large wings.
Ancient Greece
A visual representation of Pegasus is synonymous with Greek mythology and ancient Greece. A tattoo of this winged horse may demonstrate a person’s interest in this history, particularly if it includes other aspects of mythology. Some tattoos may incorporate images of Poseidon or Medusa along with Pegasus.
Freedom
Pegasus symbolizes freedom for many people who choose to get this tattoo. Since the horse has the ability to fly, this represents being able to go wherever one chooses. A Pegasus tattoo can be a symbol of leaving behind restrictions and limitations. Pegasus represents living a life without boundaries.
Beauty
The image of this striking white horse with its powerful wings is a depiction of beauty. Some choose a Pegasus tattoo simply because of the aesthetic of the winged horse. Individuals sometimes choose to add a splash of color to the white horse by having colorful wings in their tattoo.
Transformation
The story of Pegasus springing forth from the blood of its mother’s neck is symbolic of transformation. The mother Medusa was one of the Gorgon monsters, famous for her hair made of snakes and her ability to turn people to stone.
The birth of Pegasus from this monstrous creature is inspiring and represents that something good can come out of any situation. People who have had this sort of transformation in their own life–something beautiful or powerful coming from a bad situation– may choose a Pegasus tattoo to depict this.
Similarly, the myth of Pegasus includes a story of how springs of water, including the famous Hippocrene well, were created when its hoof touched the earth. This is also representative of transformation and the ability to create change in the world.
Immortality
For some, a Pegasus tattoo represents immortality or eternal life. In Greek mythology, Zeus turned Pegasus into a constellation. Today the constellation is visible in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere and is the seventh-largest constellation in the sky.
The idea of Pegasus becoming eternal through this transformation may inspire some Pegasus tattoo designs. Whether the tattoo is of the winged horse, the star formations, or a combination of the two, it can be symbolic of everlasting life.
Speed and Strength
For others, a Pegasus tattoo represents a combination of speed and strength. Horses, in general, are very strong animals and Pegasus was fathered by a Greek god, which makes him even more strong.
The fact that Pegasus is a winged creature and has the ability to fly can be symbolic of a person’s desire for or love of speed. Pegasus displays an ability to move swiftly and is not constrained by the limits of time.
British Heraldry
Images of Pegasus can be seen in various examples of heraldry or coats of arms, particularly in British ancestry. Richardson, Cavalier, and Birchenshaw are all family names that have an image of Pegasus portrayed in their heraldry.
Families that have the winged horse displayed in their coat of arms may inspire a tattoo of this sort to represent their heritage and ancestry.
War History
In the Second World War, some designs were inspired by the Pegasus image. The 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions of the British Forces used the Pegasus on their divisional patch. The 44th Indian Airborne Division also featured a Pegasus design on their patch.
In 1944, parachute troops from the British Forces were successful in capturing two bridges in France, one of which was then called the Benouville Bridge. These efforts were instrumental in fending off a German attack and thus the Benouville Bridge was later renamed Pegasus Bridge to memorialize the efforts of the parachute troops.
Individuals who have family members who served in World War II, particularly in these specific missions, may have a Pegasus tattoo to represent their ancestor’s courage and history.
Tuscany
A region in central Italy, Tuscany has a flag that features a silver Pegasus. The winged horse was first depicted in a Tuscan coin made in the 1500s. The coin honored Pietro Bembo, who was an Italian poet and scholar. Today, the image of Pegasus on the flag is representative of the Tuscan resistance against German troops during the Second World War.
A Pegasus tattoo may represent a person’s Tuscan heritage. The tattoo may include the entire Tuscan flag or just the image of the silver-winged horse.
Following Dreams
A tattoo that depicts an image of Pegasus can be representative of an individual’s desire to follow their dreams. Pegasus was born out of the death of its mother Medusa and became a symbol of strength and inspiration.
The wings of the horse, in particular, are symbolic of a person spreading their wings, leaving the safety or comfort of a regular routine, and dreaming of something larger. A Pegasus tattoo can represent a person’s need to change, create a new beginning in their life, and focus on their dreams.
Spirit
Pegasus, a mythological creature, can be illustrative of a person’s spiritual side or their desire to connect with their inner being or essence. The association with Greek gods and goddesses is representative of spirituality and being connected to something larger than oneself.
An individual may choose a Pegasus tattoo to show a side of themselves that is more than just their physical being. For some, this image is a reminder that there is more to life than this worldly realm.