Daedalus and Icarus in the mythology of Ancient Greece

Daedalus and Icarus, judging by the Hellenic legends, were real people, and kept their names in history, thanks to their own decisions, unusual for that time. The myth about the inventing father and daredevil son later centuries has become a kind of warning for those who do not know how to really assess their strength. But along with this - and the image of dreams.

Who are Ikarus and Daedalus?

As the ancient legends of the Greeks tell, Daedalus and Icarus lived in the heyday of the Hellenic country, when people tried to design unusual inventions for humanity. The son of Metsius, the Athenian Daedalus was considered one of the best inventors and builders. He was the first in history to risk creating wings to climb to the sky, and the master succeeded. But for his courage, he paid the life of his only son. Daedalus and Icarus are symbols:

• inventive talent and mind;
• reckless courage;
• aspiration to rise above people, conquest of the sky.

Who is Daedalus?

Daedalus entered the history of Greece as a talented artist and designer, the creator of many instruments, the author of sculptures, about which they said that they can move:

• the chair of Athena Pallada;
• The statues of Hercules in Corinth and Thebes;
• sculptures of Trophonia and Britomartida;
• the statue of Athena on Delos.

His name was born from the Greek word "dadalo" - to engage in art. What did Daedalus invent? The most famous masterpieces:

1. The Minoan Labyrinth.
2. Ariadne's thread.
3. Cow Pasiphees made of wood.
4. Ariadne's hall for dancing.
5. Wings of wax for flight.

Who is Icarus?

Who is Icarus in Ancient Greece? This boy became famous, as the first and, at that time, the only person who ventured to rise to the sun. The teenager was the son of the inventor Daedalus, who helped his father to design wings of feathers and wax. Climbing the sky, Icarus did not listen to his father and decided to fly much higher, to the sunlight. It melted the wax, and the boy crashed, crashing into the water. It happened near the island of Samos, where the sea began to be called Ikaria. The brave man buried the hero Hercules on Dolich Island, which was called Ikaria.

The Myth of Daedalus and Icarus

The myth about Daedalus and Icarus says: the daredevils decided to take off on wings from wax, not for fun, but for escape. The talented designer decided to flee the island of Crete, where he was in the service of King Minos. Daedalus could not use the ship, and chose to flee through the air, creating wings of feathers and wax. The little son asked to take him with him, promising to obey everything. But when they ascended to the sky, the boy wanted to fly closer to the sunlight, ignoring the warnings of his father. Under the rays melted wax, the wings broke up, and the teenager crashed against the waves.

There is a version that in the history of these brave souls the Greeks tried to keep information about the invented oblique sails. Allegedly, Daedalus and Icarus fled Crete on a ship with such windmills, which were used not only at a favorable wind, like all seamen, but also at the side, and even oncoming. Such a decision was considered the ultimate dream of the sea travelers of the time. And Ikar died not in the air, but in the water, falling overboard during the voyage.

What does the myth "Daedalus and Icarus" teach?

The legend of Daedalus and Icarus was analyzed by researchers and even by psychologists. There is even a special interpretation of the symbols mentioned in this legend:

1. Daedalus is the personification of God the Father; whom they dared disobey;
2. The sun that destroyed the boy is a growing force;
3. Wings are a gift that raises above mere mortals;
4. A fall is a payment for disobedience and at the same time a notice that one must approach with the mind to achieve one's aspirations.

There is another interpretation that unites the father and son, which suggests that Daedalus and Icarus are a dream that has almost been realized. After all, the master, who was careful, nevertheless reached the shore. This myth gave rise to the idiom of "the flight of Icarus", which is considered both positive and common, having received several meanings:

1. Courage, which is stronger than ordinary prohibitions.
2. Disobedience and inability to properly assess their capabilities.
3. Self-confidence leading to death.
4. Innovation of ideas, which is stronger than fear of death.
5. Futility of daring.
6. The dissatisfaction of the seeker of truth, which from her also perishes.