Things I Like: The Traveling Circus Part III

All photos courtesy of Retronaut. 


 When I found these images on Retronaut I fell in love with them! It's so great to see color photos of old circus performers.

Things I Like: Greek Mythology - The Fall of Icarus

Daedalus was a skilled Athenian craftsman who built a cavernous and twisting labyrinth where King Minos could keep his minotaur. Theseus, who was an enemy of King Minos was sent to wander around this labyrinth and defeat the minotaur, Daedalus know he would not find his way through the labyrinth, took pity on him. He gave King Minos' daughter, Ariadne, a ball of string to give to Theseus so that he could find his way out after going into the winding caverns. Daedalus was caught and sentenced to life long imprisonment on the island of Crete.

Daedalus had a son named Icarus. Icarus was beautiful and pure, he brought good fortune to everyone he met. Not wanting his son to live his life imprisoned on Crete and being a gifted builder, he began assembling two great pairs of wings. They would fly away from Crete forever. When Daedalus finished the wings were wondrous and large, made of wax and feathers, they were also quite delicate. Finally, the day had come when the would leave. As Daedalus fashioned the wings to Icarus he warned him not to fly too close to the sun or the sea. The sun would melt the wax and the sea would wash away the feathers.

Finally, they took off, flying up into the sky they looked down at the island of Crete below them and felt the freedom they had longed for. Caught up in the excitement of being free and flying, Icarus forgot his father's warning and flew too close to the sun. Icarus began flapping his wings harder, but looked up to see only his arms waving frantically. He let out a cry as he fell down out of the blue sky and into the sea.

Things I Like: Greek Mythology - The Story of Psyche & Eros

There were once three sisters who were unusually lovely, and the loveliest of the them was named Psyche. Word of the sisters spread and finally came to the attention of Aphrodite. When Aphrodite heard of the strange beauty of Psyche she became so jealous she had to do something about the mortal girl whose fairness rivaled her own. So, she sent her son, Eros, the god of love to put a spell on her.

Things I Like: The Traveling Circus Part II

Well, I guess "Things I Like" won't be a weekly thing... It'll just be a whenever I feel like it thing. I really was expecting to be able to update this blog more often, and I still think I will once I get into the swing of things. I've just been really busy lately. Good busy. Anyway, if you missed Traveling Circus part I you can find it here. All images in this post via the wonderful Circus Blog.

Things I Like: The Traveling Circus

I'm going to start making a weekly "Things I Like" post featuring cool stuff that I'm interested in. Since  I love anything that has to do with the circus... I figure this will be a good place to start.  I love it so much I've even taught myself how to juggle and ride a unicycle. (Still working on doing both at the same time. Hehe.) Although, what I would really love to do is aerial acrobatics. There are a few places you can take aerial silks classes here in the city and I'm looking into starting soon - I'm excited. Also- There are some really good books out there of old circus imagery from the 20's - 30's. Step Right This Way: The Photographs of Edward J Kelty  is definitely worth checking out. Personally, I can  look through old photographs for hours.

* If any of these photographs are yours please let me know! I've forgotten the sources.