Icarus

Icarus is a figure in Greek mythology, the son of Daedalus, a renowned craftsman. According to the myth, Daedalus built the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete to contain the Minotaur. After falling into disfavor with Minos, Daedalus and Icarus attempted an escape by crafting wings from feathers and wax for themselves.

They flew from Crete, guided by Daedalus’s warning not to fly too high or too low. Icarus, exhilarated by flight, disregarded the advice and flew closer to the sun. The heat melted the wax on his wings, causing them to fail; he plunged into the sea and drowned. In many tellings the death occurs in the Aegean Sea, with the Icarian Sea (near Icaria) serving as a traditional geographic association for the event.

The tale survives in several ancient sources, with variations in detail. It is widely associated with Ovid’s Metamorphoses and appears in later Graeco-Roman literature as well as vase paintings and other art. The core motif—hubris and the peril of overreaching ambition—has made Icarus a persistent symbol in Western culture.

Legacy and interpretation: Icarus is frequently cited as a cautionary example of ambition unchecked by prudence. The story has influenced a broad range of artistic and literary works, from poetry and drama to visual art and music. Today, the name Icarus is often used metaphorically to describe a bold but reckless undertaking, or a failed aspiration due to excessive pride.