Pegasus, By John Keats

I have chosen the constellation of Pegasus which is the seventh largest constellation of the eighty-eight identified constellations. I have always liked this constellation because I think the winged horse is one of the most beautiful creatures. The constellation can be seen in the northern sky and is made up of 23 stars. The names of the stars composing Pegasus have Arabic names such as ‘Scheat’ meaning ‘shin’ and ‘Markab’ meaning ‘saddle’. In fact, the star marking his neck is ‘Homam’ which means ‘horse-whisperer’ which reminds us of the ancient art of taming wild horses that may have previously seemed untameable. This is another reason I chose this constellation - because I like the element of magic there is in it. Interestingly, when British
Although the image of the pegasus was used as part of the military, he was actually a very peaceful animal. The story of Pegasus partially inspired the great poet John Keats to write his poem ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ which mentions the ‘Hippocrene’, meaning ‘horse’s fountain’ which is the stream he created at the top of Mount Helicon. However, this peaceful creature did not have such a peaceful birth - which I will now explain in the Greek creation myth.

It all began when Poseidon decided to seduce Medusa, as she was once a beautiful young woman with infamous hair which every other woman envied. So, Poseidon set out to seduce her in the Athene temple and he succeeded. Naturally, Athena was infuriated that Poseidon has done such a thing in her own temple and she was also enraged by the possibility that Medusa was more beautiful than her. So, in a fit of rage, she transformed Medusa from beautiful to hideous, replacing her lovely hair with snakes, and cursing her with eyes that turned every man to stone with one glance. Athena, however, was still not content and so she instructed Perseus, Zeus’ son, to slay Medusa. Perseus agreed and that day he found Medusa in her cave and decapitated her with his sword. As