Winged horse
A winged horse, flying horse, or pterippus is a kind of mythical creature, mostly depicted as a horse with the wings of a bird. Winged horses appear in the mythologies of various cultures including, but not limited to, Greek mythology, Chinese Mythology, and Hindu mythology. Multiple types and variations of mythological horses exist across cultures, however, of those that can fly, many possess winged features, avian or otherwise.
European mythos
Greco-Roman
The Greek winged horse, Pegasus, was sired by Poseidon or, in Roman myth, by Neptune, from Medusa. Often portrayed as a white horse with feathered white wings, he was the steed of the Greek hero Bellerophon until they both met their demise at the hands of Zeus. He also has a constellation, and is often considered the 'prototypical' model for winged horses in both ancient and modern depictions.Additionally, Selene, Greek goddess of the Moon, was often depicted as riding across the night sky either in a chariot pulled by winged white horses or on horseback herself. Her brother, Helios, Greek God of the Sun, was also pictured as riding through the sky on horse-drawn carriage, and though his were not as often depicted as winged, there does exist material of them with wings as well.
Horses in the Jura
The Jura Mountains on the Alps-Swiss border are mythologized to home magical horses, multiple of which are winged. The White Horse of Foncine was seen often throughout the commune of Foncine-le-Haut, Foncine-le-Bas, and Les Planches, mainly in the dusk. The Horses of Cosges were known to be twin, headless horses with wings that lived in the Canton of Bletterans. Finally, the Sylph Horseman of Bonlieu was taled to be the spirit of an old King rode who could be seen riding a winged horse in the Haut- Jura region.File:Petre Ispirescu-Fairy-tales.jpg|thumb|Fǎt-Frumos riding calul năzdrăvan on a postage stamp.
Norse
While many horses in Norse mythology can fly, only Hófvarpnir, steed of Gná, has been depicted as winged. Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, is famously capable of flight, but is not said to have had wings.Slavic
In the folklore of Romania, the prince and hero Făt-Frumos rides a steed called , often depicted as a flying, winged horse who advises the prince in their many adventures.East Asian
Chinese Mythology
Three winged horses were discussed in ancient Chinese texts, yet the lines between the three seem to blur. Some scholars debate about the distinction or difference between the three, as their features were largely similar.The tianma were "blood-sweating horses" sometimes depicted as winged, that were highly sought after by Han Dynasty Emperor Wu.
Qianlima, also called chollima in Korean or senrima in Japanese, was originally written about in Chinese classics and described as a winged horse who could travel hundreds of li in a day.
Finally, the longma was a winged dragon horse referred to in the Bamboo Annals and magic squares arrangements. Although similar to a Chimera, longma were often depicted as dragon-horse hybrids with colorful scales who walked on water and were omens of a good emperor to come.
Tibetan Mythology
Lungta, or Wind Horse, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a flying horse, often winged, that was said to carry prayers from humans to the heavens. The horse is known to have a large, colorful gem on its back and is depicted with the four other mythical creatures on prayer flags. As a symbol, the horse represents the buoyancy of life and fundamental goodness of the human spirit.Hinduism
Two major winged horses are featured in Hinduism.In Vishnu's final avatar, Kalki, or Kalkin, is depicted as coming down from the heavens to end the world on a large winged horse named Devadatta.
Uchchaihshravas, meaning Long-Ears, is a seven-headed, winged horse that was deemed 'King of Horses'. During the original churning of the Sea of Milk, Uchchaihshravas emerged and was grabbed and ridden by Lord Indra.