The sea horse is one of the most fascinating figures in the animal kingdom. In case you didn't know, it carries a great deal of symbolism in Greek culture, being associated with deities as old as the earth. Seahorse in Greek Mythology!

History

The seahorse in Greek mythology derives from a mystical being called hippocampus a creature half horse and fish, literally Being the mount of the king of the seas, Poseidon, he became known for being the representation of the entity's arrival. He was seen pulling his chariot or being ridden by the Greek god.

The seahorse or hippocampus has the upper half with front legs, neck and head of a horse, while the lower half resembles a fish, dolphin or even a sea serpent. Hippocampus comes from the Greek hippos horse, and kampos monster.

Its presence has survived the passage of time and is still revered or, at least, respected today. The seahorse continues as a chance of impossibility in nature because of what it can do. Even after so much time, it does not cease to lose the fascination that they employed in such distant times.

The art

As you well know, Greek culture has survived through its own art, something magnificent and extraordinarily beautiful. Regardless of its anchor with reality, it was a means of representing its myths and records The sea horse in Greek mythology has its own place, carrying a strong symbolism to everything it represents.

The sea horse or hippocampus is Poseidon's mount, carrying him directly on his back or pulling his chariot. Besides Poseidon, considered the god of horses, the hippocampus also carried his wife Amphitrite, not to mention that a sea nymph sometimes used the creature as a mount.

The hippocampus served as decoration for bronze tableware and cutlery, as well as paintings from ancient Greece. They represent freedom and strength within the sea, swimming to anywhere your will desires.

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The sea horse in Greek mythology had not been chosen by Poseidon at random. According to studies of the myths, the hippocampi had an influence on the maritime nature With this, the god of the seas had one more ally to leverage his reinforcements in any situation he entered.

It is said that sea and land tremors happened thanks to the moving presence of the animals. Their bronze hooves when riding on the sea surface were so strong that they caused ripples. This is why they associated earthquakes and sea storms with the animal's galloping.

The birth of the animal would have the same origin as the goddess Aphrodite, but with Poseidon as its creator. He would have molded the sea foam to create such animals the way he wanted. It is believed that this is why they would appear as bright and colorful fish, like a moving rainbow.

Biological description

The Greeks, even because of the time in which they lived, had a different perspective on reality. They re-signified something they observed, being richly influenced by their myths and beliefs, something that lasted through time The sea horse in Greek mythology makes connections with the animal we know in some points:

Mimesis

Seahorses have an incredible capacity for mimicry, being able to blend into their environment. Although they display an incredible variety of colors, they are very adept at changing them so that they can survive. As you read above, the seahorse in Greek mythology was colorful, like a living rainbow.

Independent Eyes

The anatomy of the seahorse has contributed to their survival in the seas. Similar to a chameleon, their eyes are independent, which allows them greater control of their vision. They can look at various angles to detect a threat or find a food source.

Appearance

Many species of this fish have such a radical appearance that they can be mistaken for other creatures. Seahorses can resemble sea plants, anemones, or corals, giving them an extraordinary look Consequently, it can be useful to your survival to confuse your enemies.

The cultural mixtures

Not only the sea horse in Greek mythology took on a new form, but other animals as well. After this change they ended up influencing other stories and myths known to mankind. Less known, but no less important, we can mention:

Leokampos

O leokampos Despite the new shape, according to the artistic representations, the animal remains as majestic as ever.

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Pardalokampos

In turn, the pardalokampos is the junction of a leopard and a fish. One of the greatest characteristics of a leopard is its incredible speed, reaching up to 58 km/h .

Taurokampos

Taurokampos As you can imagine, the bull is very much referenced in world culture, generating several mythical stories about it. Another well-known story is that of the Minotaur, a human body with the head of a bull.

Aigikampos

Last on the list, but not the last in history, is the aigikampos Interestingly, the goat has become a symbol of the zodiac, and has been established over time in many cultures.

Environmental risk

Although it has been a frequent cultural object in the world, the seahorse in Greek mythology is safer than in real life. This is because the animal is endangered, suffering severely from changes in its habitat .

In addition, the culture of some people negatively and directly impacts the natural life cycle of these fish. In Asia, for example, it is seen as a natural remedy for some diseases and physical ailments. As a result, there is rampant predatory fishing, removing them from their natural habitat areas to be sold.

It is estimated that approximately 20 million are caught and sold for oriental medicinal use.

Media

The seahorse in Greek mythology eventually influenced media products such as films and animations. Even if it does not portray Greek culture, the animal can be seen as a mount for other sea creatures. Note that their use as animal transport is quite similar to the horse, using reins and saddle for this .

This feature is most common in children's drawings, since the fantasy appeal works very well with children. Seahorses are usually portrayed with joy, colors, and playfulness, not to mention that the animal's relationship with the main character serves as a parallel to the real world and stimulates children's affectivity and imagination.

Final considerations about the sea horse in Greek mythology

The sea horse in Greek mythology represents an ideal of life and freedom in existence His myth contributed to the emergence of cultural ideas that revolutionized the way of seeing the animal, which is why the mythic surrounding him remains so alive and clear in ancient and contemporary culture.

Overall, we pointed out that his presence indicated a willingness to explore unknown lands based on what we know. Human beings have located figures very well to revitalize ideas and find new purposes and explanations.

The classes help you to coordinate your internal structure, showing you your potential and all that needs resignification. Just like the figure of the sea horse in Greek mythology, you will find a new space to redefine your life .

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