Blowing in the warmth

by Daniel Mackie April 22, 2017

The herald of summer

Hoarse print

Have you packed away your winter coat yet for this year? Or is it still hanging the hall, just in case? It's almost the time when spring turns to summer and the winds are a welcome breeze, not a force to wrap up against!

What's this got to do with Daniel's illustration of a rather elegant Horse? Well, the ancient Greeks (a big influence on Daniel's work!) believed the winds were brought through the earth by swift running horses. Though, Zephyrus, herald of the spring winds, is the only one you'd welcome. The other three Anemoi, horse-gods of the winds, brought winter freezes or autumn storms destroying crops in their path.

Zephyrus, on the other hand, brings the warmer air and has a bountiful partnership being married to the goddess of flowers and father to their son the god of fruit. Now that sounds a recipe for a happy home!

Except, as is the way of Greek gods, Zephyrus is not content with monogamy. He was also linked to the goddess of the rainbow and sired Apollo's horse with yet another. Zephyrus was also (sort of) responsible for the creation of the hyacinth when he accidentally killed a beautiful youth, the object of unrequited love, in a jealous rage. It seems many dying Greek youths were turned to flowers!

Whatever the colourful past of the Greek gods, Daniel's colourful equine creature perfectly evokes the early summer ... I can even spot a wind-swept flower on his haunches.

Shop Daniel's Horse design - available as greeting card or art print.

Daniel Mackie

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