Hippocamps often rescued sailors from drowning and saved men from sea monsters. Therefore, they were revered by the Ancient Greeks as the mounts of Poseidon (in Roman mythology: Neptune). They were respected by all sea creatures such as mermen, sea elves and sea gods who treated them as their loyal mounts.Īccording to Homer’s Iliad, Poseidon’s chariot was pulled by two or more beautiful hippocamps which is why the beasts became closely associated with the Greek god of the sea. Hippocamps were known for being gentle creatures that had good relationships with their owners. The Hippocampus in Greek and Roman Mythology A Hippocampus in Trevi Fountain In these regards, the symbolism of the Hippocampus is similar to that of Pegasus, another mythical horse-like creature of Greek mythology. Many people who have hippocampus tattoos say that it makes them feel free, beautiful and graceful. The image of the hippocampus is a popular one for tattoo designs. In addition to this, it symbolizes true love, humility and freedom. Sailors regarded the hippocampus as a good omen and it was also a symbol of agility and strength. The hippocampus is often regarded as a symbol of hope since it was a benevolent and spiritual creature that helped people.Īs a mythical creature, it’s strongly associated with creativity and imagination. Overall, these lovely creatures preferred to have their privacy and didn’t like to have their space invaded. It took a newborn hippocampus a year to reach physical maturity but a year longer to mature intellectually and until then, their mothers were very protective of them. The pack consisted of one stallion, several mares and a number of young hippocamps. According to some accounts, they fed on small fish as well.Īccording to various sources, hippocamps traveled around in packs of ten, similar to lions. According to some sources, they were herbivorous creatures that fed on seaweed, algae, bits of coral reef and other sea plants. They didn’t need air to survive and hardly returned to the water’s surface unless their food sources were completely depleted. Habits of the Hippocampsīecause they were so large, hippocamps preferred to live in the deeper part of the sea and were found in both saltwater and freshwater. They were strong and swift swimmers that could span several miles of sea in a few seconds which is why they were popular rides. They used their powerful tails to defend themselves when attacked and they had a strong bite but they preferred to flee rather than go for a fight. Hippocamps were said to have been good-natured beasts that got along well with other sea creatures. However, it’s a popular creature not only in Greece but also in Phoenician, Pictish, Roman and Etruscan mythologies. The name hippocampus comes from the Greek word ‘ hippos’ meaning ‘horse’ and ‘ kampos’ meaning ‘sea monster’. They were predominantly blue or green, although they’re also described as portraying various colors. Hippocamps were also typically portrayed with large wings that helped them to move fast under water. Some artists depict them with manes made of flexible fins instead of hair and webbed fins instead of hooves.Along fish tail like that of a serpent.The upper body (head and foreparts) of a horse.The hippocampus was an aquatic creature with a personality similar to that of modern day horses. They were ridden by other sea creatures as a form of transport, including the Nereid nymphs and were closely associated with Poseidon, one of the most powerful gods of the ocean. Hippocamps were fish-tailed horses believed to be the adult form of the little fish that we know today as sea horses. The hippocampus or hippocamp (Plural hippocampi) was a sea creature that originated in Greek mythology. The Hippocampus in Greek and Roman Mythology.
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