People and horses have long had a close relationship. Horses have been a part of human life since the beginning of time. They have served both as means of transportation and as weapons. There are numerous fiction and non fiction kids book by famous authors to read. Little girls now wish for a pony horse. However, horses held a special place in our hearts back then.
The legendary horses that are most frequently encountered are the Pegasus, Unicorn, Centaur, Kelpie, and Hippogriff. These mythical horses have been significant figures in numerous civilizations, often portrayed as essential and potent beings.
Horses are undoubtedly legendary animals, with many associated myths written in different famous horse books. It’s important to note that many mythical tales have an animal that resembles a horse. However, horses are not always the focus of our discussions.
Horses have been a fundamental part of human legends, cultures, and mythologies for a long time, dating back to the Paleolithic paintings of the Chauvet Cave and Tolkien’s Shadowfax. Yet, perhaps no other domesticated animal has been as essential and integral to the growth of humans as the animals that served as farm laborers, weapons on the battlefield, and simple friends. Ten of history’s most critical mythological horses are listed below.
Unicorn
One of the most significant beasts in mythological tales is the unicorn. A horse with a horn on his head, a goat’s beard, and cloven hooves is a unicorn. The unicorn was one of the animals that were non-threatening and amicable toward people. The unicorn’s horn is also supposed to have a magical property that can counteract the effects of poison. The first mentions of unicorns are in accounts of Indus Valley civilizations.
Chollima
In ancient China, this famed mythological horse originated in Korean folklore. The name Chollima means “thousand ri horses” in its literal sense. Here, “ri” was a measurement unit equal to 500 kilometers or 311 miles. The horse could move so quickly and over such a considerable distance. It was moving so quickly that no mortal man or woman could ride it. It was comparable to the Pegasus of the West. The national football team of Korea also goes by that moniker.
Tulpar
One of the most significant mythological horses in ancient history is Tulpar. The folklore surrounding the early turkey has its roots in tulpar. They have also been depicted in a few Asian myths. One Asian myth claims that a Tuvan hero created the fiddle using the Tulpar’s remnants. The creature represents hunting in Central Asia with a horse-like body and a bird-like wing. Tulpar can be found on the national crests of Kazakhstan and Mongolia. According to legend, Tulpar is comparable to the Pegasus of western mythology.
Centaur
A centaur is one of the most unusual types of mythical horses, which is often mentioned in best horse books for kids stories, having a human upper body and a horse lower body. Though other tales show them as more amiable creatures, the Greek legends were initially portrayed as chaotic and violent. However, they have the strength and speed of a horse and can communicate like humans. Spirit horse books by Michael Ellis also talk about a special horse named ‘Spirit.’ Michael’s love for horses has inspired him to write a book about a true story of a horse and share his life experiences spent looking after horses. His book, A Horse Named Spirit, is an entire package of stories and knowledge to learn about horses.
Bucephalus
Bucephalus was the most famous horse, serving as Alexander the Great’s cherished mount. At the forehead of his black coat was a white star. He terrified others because he was erratic and wild. Bucephalus was eventually tamed by young Alexander, who used him as a battle mount. Alexander asserted that Bucephalus would tilt his head toward the sun when mounted because he was terrified of his shadow. Legends about this formerly strong horse claim that he turned into a man-eater after his demise.
Hippogriff
Hippogriffs are quick and powerful magical animal that still exists in the modern wizarding world. They have an eagle’s head and the back of a horse. Hippogriffs made their initial appearance in Greek mythology. They are thought to be the offspring of a gryphon mare. Despite their fierceness, they are often depicted in stories as a symbol of love. Their natural adversaries are a mare and a griffin.