History Main / Pegasus

** In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', pegasi are one of the main three races of ponies, along with {{unicorn}}s and good old earth ponies. Aside from flight, pegasi have the racial ability to control the weather and walk on clouds.
*** Two of them, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, are part of the Mane Cast. Rainbow Dash in particular is an incredibly talented flier, having broken what is depicted as the sound barrier ''multiple times'', to the point of doing it as a MundaneUtility. Fluttershy, on the other hand, is ([[BerserkButton usually]]) a [[AcrophobicBird fairly poor flyer who happens to be deathly afraid of heights]], though this is compensated by [[FriendToAllLivingThings her great skill with animals]] (something more commonly found in earth ponies) and the powerful [[DeathGlare Stare]].
*** Scootaloo is one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and an example of a flightless Pegasus; she can't fly in the ''air'' -- her inability to fly and her self-image issues stemming from this are actually a plot point in one episode -- but put her on her scooter and stand back. On the other hand, "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" showed she can definitely hover a few inches above the ground [[CentipedesDilemma when she's not thinking about it]].
*** The Changelings are a [[NightmareFuel rather creepy]] variation. They are vaguely equine, [[EmotionEater love-eating]], [[VoluntaryshapeShifting shapeshifting]] monsters with fangs, [[BodyHorror bodies full of]] ''[[BodyHorror holes]]'', and torn, insectoid wings. In other words, they are [[VisualPun horseflies]].

* ''WesternAnimation/CornAndPeg'': Of the two title characters, the latter is a Pegasus, with the former being a {{Unicorn}}.

* Pegasi are present in ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'', but conform to the traits of their D&D counterparts in most respects. However, most rulebooks also make mention of a "champion" variety that is faster and stronger than the stock pegasus and also possesses resistance to fire, poison, and petrification - traits that would make it quite ideal as a steed for fighting legendary monsters like the Chimera.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=4023 Paradise has winged horses]].

* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':

** ''ComicBook/BlackKnightMarvelComics'': Dane Whitman first had Aragorn, a genetically engineered flying horse, and then eventually upgraded to Strider, a magic horse capable of flying faster than the speed of sound (which would lead to all sorts of other problems, but hey, it's magic, so that clears it all up). The less said about the mechanical "Atomic Steed" he rode for a while, the better.

** ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAndTheMagicOfPegasus'', naturally.

%%* ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAndTheMagicOfPegasus''

* Pegasi are present in ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'', but conform to the traits of their D&D counterparts in most respects. However, most rulebooks also make mention of a "champion" variety that is faster and stronger than the stock pegasus and possess resistance to fire, poison, and petrification - traits that would make it quite ideal as a steed for fighting legendary monsters like the Chimera.

* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' has Pegasus Knights.

%%* ''Literature/CompanionsQuartet''.

* ''Webcomic/AtArmsLength'' features Alexander, [[http://atarmslength.smackjeeves.com/comics/1295995/games-monsters-play-42/ a fast-talking winged horse desperate to close a deal]].

* ''WesternAnimation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'': Pegasi are the focus of the sixth film, ''Meet the Pegasus'', where the goats must write a happy ending for a story starring the Pegasus Prince, who lives in a cloud city populated by humanoid pegasus people.

"Pegasus" is the name of the winged horse in [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]], [[SpontaneousGeneration born]] from the blood that flowed when Perseus slew {{Medusa}}. He was then used by Bellerophon to slay the [[MixAndMatchCritter Chimera.]] [[note]]A lesser-known aspect of the myth is that Pegasus had a twin sibling, Chrysaor. In some myths Chrysaor is a human giant; in other readings of the myth, he is a massive winged boar. Therefore a winged horse and a winged pig were born together. Medusa is also the mother of flying pigs.[[/note]]

Since then, the image of a horse with wings has persisted in stories and culture, whether these horses are named Pegasus or another name. (In fact, "pterippi" is a redirect to this page.)

Such stories may [[AKindOfOne turn Pegasus into a whole species]], even though there was only ever one of them in legend (the plural is [[PerplexingPlurals often]] "pegasi").

[[folder:Advertising]]
* The Creator/TriStarPictures logo.
* The Mobil logo.
* The logo of the Reader's Digest Association.
* The defunct Spanish truck manufacturer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegaso Pegaso]], even if InNameOnly.
[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Literature/{{Snuff}}'', the Amkh-Morpork City Watch makes the discovery that Air Watch pilots can use the Feegle magic of the "craw-step" to take a pilot from Ankh-Morpork to Howondaland in a matter of ''minutes''. The Feegle magic is a close-guarded secret, but it is believed to exploit the ability to enter a parellel dimension of space-time and then to return to the "real world" at a location chosen by the navigating pilot - potentially crossing thousands of miles of real-world space within minutes. Feegle pilots navigating birds of prey - who are Air Policemen under Sam Vimes' command[[note]]and ultimately, under Vetinari's command [[/note]] - use this for recconnaisance and communications flights.

* Myth/ClassicalMythology is the {{Trope Namer|s}} and {{Trope Maker|s}}. Pegasus (''Pegasos'', in Greek) was owned by Bellerophon, until Zeus struck them down. Far less famous than Pegasus was his brother, Chrysaor, who depending on the source is a giant or a winged boar.
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uchchaihshravas Uchhaihshravas]] is a ''seven headed'' flying horse from Hindu mythology.
* The Tianma of Chinese mythology is often translated as a Pegasus, though it lacks wings and instead flies via magic.
* In Islamic lore, ''Al-Buraq'' ("lightning") was a magnificent winged white horse presented to the prophet Mohammed by the arch-angel Gabriel.

* Wrestling/ChrisBenoit used the names Wild Pegasus and The Pegasus Kid in Japan and Mexico.

* ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia''L Halfway through, Cress rides a Sleipnir to tackle Dhaos' aerial forces, accompanied by Arche on her FlyingBroomstick.

"Pegasus" is the name of the winged horse in [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]], [[SpontaneousGeneration born]] from the blood that flowed when Perseus slew {{Medusa}}. He was then used by Bellerophon to slay the [[MixAndMatchCritter Chimera.]]

* Creator/AAPessimal: Pegasi(i), long thought extinct, return to the Franchise/{{Discworld}} after a gorgon policewoman is swiped across the face by a troll and gets a bad nosebleed. Lord Vetinari and Sir Samuel Vimes take advantage and upgrade the Air Watch with the resultant marvellous flying horses. These are placed in the care of the [[BikerBabe Air Witches]]. Later on it is discovered that whilst created by magical accident, they are capable of breeding with normal horses. Thus creating more Pegasi in the natural run of things, and as time passes, allowing the Service to expand and recruit more Witch-Pilots. Vetinari is in favour of this and makes the necessary funding and facilities available, including purpose-built air bases.[[note]] He is, as is revealed across the stories, building Ankh-Morpork's Air Force, to mesh with its resurgent Army and Navy.[[/note]] Piloted by Witches and navigated by attendent Feegle, a Pegasus can get a rider plus load ''anywhere'' on the Disc via the Feegle magic of the craw-step... in a matter of ''minutes''. This builds on the canonical use of the craw-step by the City Watch Air Police in ''Literature/{{Snuff}}''.

* In ''Anime/TheLittlePrinceAndTheEightHeadedDragon'', the young Susano uses a small flying horse sent to him by Amaterasu to battle Orochi.

* The famed [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_hussars Polish hussars]], also known as Winged Hussars, wore wood-framed wings on their backs. They couldn't fly, of course, and several theories have been proposed for why the wings were used. Some geeky sport scientists think that the wing was used to ''slow the horses down'' and keep them from [[HeroicRROD overexerting themselves on the first charge]], so the Hussars could be used for repeated charges.

A SisterTrope to {{Unicorn}}, WingedHumanoid.

*** One of Wonder Woman's foes has Pegasus (the original one from Greek myth) as his personal steed.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': Pegasi appear in several armies. Empire and Bretonnian heroes and generals can ride them, and the Bretonnians can also field an entire unit of Pegasus Knights. A particular breed, referred to as royal pegasi, is native exclusively to Bretonnia and famed for its extreme intelligence and loyalty. The Dark Elves have access to an evil version with bat wings and dark colouring. In generally, pegasi are stated to differ from true horses in several respects -- they have hollow bones like birds, although their ability to fly is still assumed to be chiefly magical in nature, and are omnivorous as well.

* In ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', Bellerophon, the Noble Phantasm of the Servant Rider, can be used to control even the most powerful mythical beasts. Rider [[spoiler:due to her part in the creation of Pegasus as his mother, Medusa,]] is able to summon Pegasus and perfectly control it in battle with Bellerophon.

* Creator/AAPessimal: Pegasi(i), long thought extinct, return to the Franchise/{{Discworld}} after a gorgon policewoman is swiped across the face by a troll and gets a bad nosebleed. Lord Vetinari and Sir Samuel Vimes take advantage and upgrade the Air Watch with the resultant marvellous flying horses. These are placed in the care of the [[BikerBabe Air Witches]]. Later on it is discovered that whilst created by magical accident, they are capable of breeding with normal horses. Thus creating more Pegasi in the natural run of things, and as time passes, allowing the Service to expand and recruit more Witch-Pilots. Vetinari is in favour of this and makes the necessary funding and facilities available, including purpose-built air bases.[[note]] He is, as is revealed across the stories, building Ankh-Morpork's Air Force, to mesh with its resurgent Army and Navy.[[/note]] Piloted by Witches and navigated by attendent Feegle, a Pegasus can get a rider plus load ''anywhere'' on the Disc via the Feegle magic of the craw-step... in a matter of ''minutes''. This builds on the canonical use of the craw-step by the City Watch Air Police in ''Discworld/{{Snuff}}''.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': In ''Discworld/{{Snuff}}'', the Amkh-Morpork City Watch makes the discovery that Air Watch pilots can use the Feegle magic of the "craw-step" to take a pilot from Ankh-Morpork to Howondaland in a matter of ''minutes''. The Feegle magic is a close-guarded secret, but it is believed to exploit the ability to enter a parellel dimension of space-time and then to return to the "real world" at a location chosen by the navigating pilot - potentially crossing thousands of miles of real-world space within minutes. Feegle pilots navigating birds of prey - who are Air Policemen under Sam Vimes' command[[note]]and ultimately, under Vetinari's command [[/note]] - use this for recconnaisance and communications flights.

* ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': A number of winged horses appear in the later books. They're never referred to as pegasi, and come in a variety of forms, including little insect-sized ones and the carnivorous hurroks. The herbivorous kind play a big role in ''Literature/DaughterOfTheLioness'' as the symbol of the raka royal family, the Haimings. All of them are explicitly stated to have bat-like wings because they're mammals.

* In ''Discworld/{{Snuff}}'', the Amkh-Morpork City Watch makes the discovery that Air Watch pilots can use the Feegle magic of the "craw-step" to take a pilot from Ankh-Morpork to Howondaland in a matter of ''minutes''. The Feegle magic is a close-guarded secret, but it is believed to exploit the ability to enter a parellel dimension of space-time and then to return to the "real world" at a location chosen by the navigating pilot - potentially crossing thousands of miles of real-world space within minutes. Feegle pilots navigating birds of prey - who are Air Policemen under Sam Vimes' command[[note]]and ulimately, under Vetinari's command [[/note]] - use this for recconnaisance and communications flights.

* In ''Discworld/{{Snuff}}'', the Amkh-Morpork City Watch makes the discovery that Air Watch pilots can use the Feegle magic of the "craw-step" to take a pilot from Ankh-Morpork to Howondaland in a matter of ''minutes''. The Feegle magic is a close-guarded secret, but it is beleived to exploit the ability to enter a parellel dimension of space-time and then to return to the "real world" at a location chosen by the navigating pilot - potentially crossing thousands of miles of real-world space within minutes. Feegle pilots navigating birds of prey - who are Air Policemen under Sam Vimes' command[[note]]and ulimately, under Vetinari's commans [[/note]] - use this for recconnaisance and communications flights.