All the many symbols connected with the horse come alive in the myriad of myths, legends, and beliefs which have forged our common culture and history. Greek mythology gave us the very iconic figure of Pegasus, the winged horse which carried heroes down to the pits of Hell or up to the heights of Mont Olympus. In Homer’s Iliad, the most memorable episode is without a doubt the one where the Greeks successfully break into the city of Troy, hidden inside a colossal wooden horse.
In Christian heritage, the horse is the eternal companion of the knight and helps him in his battle against evil. Saint George slays the dragon on top of his white horse, thereby symbolizing the victory of Faith over the Devil. And then there is the legend of the Knights of the Round Table who travel the world on horseback in their endless quest for the Holy Grail.
Trojan Horse
wood carving, ca. 2012, Lviv, Ukraine
Pegasus
Anatoli Brovchenko
wood carving, ca. 2012, Kyiv, Ukraine
Flying Horse Ornaments
Ostap Soyka and Oksana Kogut
scroll saw and paint, ca. 2012, Yavoriv, Ukraine
Cossack Mamay
Valentin Polishchuk
painting on wooden board, 2008, Kyiv, Ukraine
Cossack Mamay is undoubtedly one of the most famous heroes in Ukrainian folklore. Frequently represented with the attributes of a fierce warrior of the steppes – sabre, pistol and horse – he embodies the national pride of Ukraine and the strength of its people, as well as the image of freedom.
Saint George Fighting the Dragon
Valentin Polishchuk
painting on wooden board, 2008, Kyiv, Ukraine