In Greek mythology, Medusa was the mother of the winged horse Pegasus.
Medusa was one of the three Gorgons and the only one traditionally described as mortal. Perseus killed her by avoiding her direct gaze and using a polished shield to see her reflection. When Perseus severed Medusa's head, Pegasus sprang from her blood, along with the warrior Chrysaor.
Some ancient and later versions connect Medusa's pregnancy to Poseidon, who fathered Pegasus and Chrysaor. Pegasus later became famous through the hero Bellerophon, who attempted to ride the winged horse against the Chimera.
Medusa is often remembered only as a monster whose gaze turned observers to stone. Her story is more complex: she was a figure of protection as well as danger, and images of her head, called a gorgoneion, were used as an apotropaic symbol. Pegasus was not born from Zeus, despite later links between the horse and Olympus.