Glastrier (Pokémon)

Glastrier may draw inspiration from the mythological Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Glastrier representing the white horse of Conquest given its belligerent nature and purported desire to take anything it wants by force. It may also be based on the white-colored knight chess piece.

Both Glastrier and its counterpart Spectrier's relationship with Calyrex appears to be based on the legend of Brian Boru and the Pooka. Legend has it that Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, is the only person to have ever ridden a Pooka, a mischievous faery in the form of a black horse. Brian tamed the Pooka by using a special bridle that contained three hairs from the Pooka's tail and successfully staying on its back through a wild ride. The king then forced the Pooka not to torment Christian people and to never attack an Irishman ever again. This is similar to how Calyrex, a Pokémon known as a king, can only ride its loyal steed, Glastrier or Spectrier, using the Reins of Unity woven in part from hairs from the steed's mane and had to prove itself by riding through the steed's bucking. It also relates to how, in taming this steed, Calyrex stopped the steed Pokémon from tormenting the people of the Crown Tundra.

The appearance of Glastrier may be based on the unicorn, the national animal of Scotland – which is the country that the Crown Tundra is based on. The unicorn in mythology is also said to be extremely wild and can only be tamed by the pure of heart; Glastrier is noted to be very aggressive and only the graceful Calyrex was able to tame it. Spectrier and Glastrier may also be based on Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend, two chariot horses of the hero Cúchulainn of Irish Mythology.

Glastrier's name may also reference the Glashtyn, a water horse or goblin of Manx folklore. Some Glashtyn tales say that, like many other water horses, it tries to lure people onto its back, only to then gallop into a body of water where it will drown its victim or drag them to an underwater abode. The Glashtyn is sometimes called the "Howler", because its eerie cry is said to warn of approaching storms, which may be referenced by Glastrier's Ability, Chilling Neigh. The Glashtyn is also said to fear fire, which Glastrier is weak to due to its Ice typing.

Glastrier may also take inspiration from the nykur, the water horse of Iceland and the Faroese Islands. This water horse is said to be white in color, and according to Icelanders, the sound of ice cracking on frozen lakes is the sound of the nykur's neighing, which may also connect to Glastrier's Ability.

Alternatively, Glastrier may be based on Hengroen, a stallion owned by King Arthur in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen.

Glastrier may also be based on Shire horses and Clydesdale horses, draft horse breeds from the UK. Glastrier's tail length may be a reference to these horse breeds often having low tail sets, while its large ice-covered hooves may be a stylization of the horse breeds' large feathered hooves.

Glastrier together with Spectrier may also be based on the Horsehead Nebula, a horse-shaped nebula near the constellation Orion. Glastrier itself may also be based on the Monoceros (unicorn) constellation, which also borders Orion. This would correspond to Calyrex possibly representing Orion itself or Lepus, the "hare" constellation located right below Orion, as well as Zacian and Zamazenta possibly representing Canis Major, which borders both Monoceros and Lepus.

Glastrier may be a combination of glacier and destrier, a type of medieval war horse.

Blizzapos may be a combination of blizzard and ἵππος híppos (Greek for horse) or horse.