There's a Greek myth everyone knows, even those who've never opened a mythology book. It's the story of a boy, a pair of wings, and an unforgiving sun. It's the story of Icarus.
Who was Icarus?
Icarus was the son of Daedalus, the greatest inventor and architect of ancient Greece. Daedalus was so skilled that King Minos of Crete hired him to build the Labyrinth — that impossible prison from which no one could escape (and which housed a certain Minotaur we've already discussed).
The problem? Minos didn't want Daedalus to leave. You don't let a genius like that get away. So father and son found themselves prisoners on the island of Crete, without ships and with no way to escape.
Daedalus' Mad Plan
Daedalus, being the clever inventor he was, didn't give up. If they couldn't escape by sea, they would escape by air. He collected bird feathers, assembled them with beeswax, and built two pairs of wings — one for himself, one for Icarus.
Before flying, Daedalus gave his son a clear warning: "Don't fly too low, or the sea's dampness will weigh down the wings. Don't fly too high, or the sun's heat will melt the wax."
Icarus nodded. He understood. And then he forgot everything.
The Flight
At first, it went well. Father and son flew together, free for the first time. But Icarus felt something he had never felt before: the euphoria of flight. The wind beneath his wings, the open sky, the feeling of being invincible.
He climbed. Higher. And higher.
The sun was there, close, beautiful. The wax began to warm. The feathers began to detach. And Icarus, before he even realized what was happening, fell into the sea that today bears his name — the Icarian Sea.
What Does Icarus Teach Us Today?
For centuries, Icarus has been used as a symbol of hubris — the arrogance of those who challenge their limits and are punished. "Don't be like Icarus" has become a way of saying: stay in your place, don't dare too much.
But there's another interpretation. Icarus was young, free, and for a moment he truly flew. He chose the sky instead of caution. He chose to live big, even if only for a short time.
Perhaps the real mistake wasn't flying too high. Perhaps it was forgetting his father's words.
Or perhaps — and this is the version we prefer — Aim High is never wrong. You just need to remember to bring sunscreen.
Angy Shop celebrates Icarus with the "Aim High" t-shirt — for those who believe it's always worth trying to fly a little higher.