Its Medusas fault for being so beautiful. According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an "apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative," representing a "dangerous threat meant to deter other. Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. The Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe. The masculine part is the rigid, convinced, and hard-hearted aspect of us, while the feminine side is the tender, emotional, loving, and caring part of us. ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. Her writhing hair of serpents became wild curls, with maybe a couple of serpents beneath her chin to hint at her more bestial origins. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. The inclusion of Medusa in the center implies the protection of the goddess Athena, who wore the Gorgon's likeness on her aegis, as said above. Up to that point that was Medusa was known for a monster that had the ability to turn her victims into stone. As Karoglou points out, the majority of hybrids (half-human, half-animal monsters like sirens or Gorgons) in ancient Greece were female. The mythologically beheaded woman is seen (or at least partially seen) does not see; she is blinded and those who have beheaded her are blinded to her real nature. 9 Spiritual Meanings, 11 Ankh Spiritual Meanings: Egyptian Cross Symbol, Triangle Spiritual Meaning: 11 Symbolisms (Its Good or Bad? While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. Emailus. Her symbols were a shield that frequently appeared above her head in ancient hieroglyphics which was why she was killed with a reflective shield in Greek mythology. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. In fact, the name Medusa is derived from the Greek verb that means "to guard" or "to protect." And at the end of the story, Athena takes Medusa's severed head and uses it as her own protection in future battle (a symbol for these dual aspects of a woman becoming integrated.) Venus had many lovers both mortal and immortal. Well, let me tell you a secret. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. Then her severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. There is a painful recognition in the fact that Medusas head the center of her knowledge and power is taken from her in order to empower a man and to fight his battles for him. Upon witnessing this act the goddess Minerva turned Medusa into the snake hair monster with the cold-stone stare that we all know her as. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. Simi is a sophomore at American University and the events director for HerCampusAu. Her story always starts in these objects when her power is possessed, her head severed and turned into a weapon, whether shes a damsel in distress or a monster. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. As a symbol I don't see a problem with it. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Athena's curse was not a punishment for Medusa, but a punishment for the gods and men who intended to harm her. Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". . Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. Shoulder Medusa Tattoo Fabio Mauro Symbol Sage points out, "The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments." Further to this ability to turn people into stone, depictions of Medusa were used as a type of protection against evil. Moreover, the Gorgon was also seen as a symbol of protection to ward off the evils and negativity of life. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. Although design houses like Versace (and some might say even comedian Kathy Griffin) have tried to reclaim the myth of Medusa for women, it has largely not been effective. She has a stern stare that prevents evil people from glancing at you with their jealous stare. While the wild red locks of Edvard Munchs 1902 lithograph The Sin (Woman with Red Hair and Green Eyes), or Dante Gabriel Rossettis Lady Lilith (1867) with the Pre-Raphaelite subject brushing her long hair, are more of a stretch in the narrative, they reinforce the ongoing artistic portrayal of women as dangerous through their looks or power. Worth looking into it, if youre curious. Medusa - whose name probably comes from the Ancient Greek word for "guardian" - was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. "I believe the Medusa tattoo is the perfect visual depiction of a survivor's journey from pain to resilience, strength, empowerment and self-preservationa protective symbol, as she has the. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. Across the internet, this sculpture has become a symbol of feminine rage for women fighting back against male oppression and, in a way, Medusa is the perfect face for the feminist movement: a woman who had her bodily autonomy taken from her, was cursed, forced to live a life she did not choose, but yet was still immensely powerful. Jeenah Moon for The New York Times. The beginning of the cycle represents an opportunity to bring in new life while the later parts represent the end of life. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. The first depiction of Medusa can be dated back from a poem by Homer as being part of the three gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryale. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. It appears on numerous objects of applied art, such as earrings, cameo rings, and medallion necklaces, etc. On a chariot-pole finial from 1st-2nd century Rome, Medusa is almost angelic with her flowing hair (and a pair of snakes peeking through her tresses), yet her penetrating eyes of inlaid silver recall her petrifying gaze. 21. Read the best quotes from Greek mythology about Medusa. Medusa represents feminine power. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. In ancient Egyptian society, the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) was widely used as a symbol of protection, restoration, and royal power. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. Her power is also associated with protection, as she was often depicted as a guardian of the temple. And rightly so. The Greeks loved to romanticize their culture in the form of Greek mythology and every character in it represented something about their culture. In a new study, researchers propose that the mind creates an opinion of an artwork after dissecting it into discrete elements. She is both feminine and monstrous. It is said that medusa protects people from suffering what she suffered at the hands of Athena. The Medusa symbol might have a vary Seventeen contemporary artists of the African Diaspora explore how movement and migration shape their artistic practices and lives. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. If you ever find yourself in Sicily, you will see the Trinacria being sold in all forms: magnets, key chains, pins, postcards and most stunning of all: ceramic Trinacria plaques that are hand-crafted by local artisans. Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. She went against her vow and married him. Phoenix Tattoos. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. The word means "protect, rule over" with Medusa meaning "guardian" or "protectress." Perseverance Some will get tattoos of Medusa's severed head, or Perseus holding it, as a representation of perseverance. When she's not reading at one of D.C's many coffeeshops she can also be found taking pictures of the different monuments. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. The stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology have, over the years, been rediscovered, repurposed, and reinterpreted in more modern contexts. The rebooted TV series Charmed just did an episode touching on this, and it was really powerful because of all the work done to reclaim the character by pop culture. Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus to provide protection. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. (1) The history behind the association is unclear. Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. Ive seen a lot of variations of her myths that paint her as a vengeful monster, a symbol of feminine rage, or a protective one. Have a tip or story idea? The labrys also appears in African religious symbolism and mythology (see Shango). Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. The incomplete essay becomes far more phallocentric as it continues explaining how the sight of female genitalia instills fear of castration, how Medusas snake-like hair is (of course) a phallic symbol, and finally that Medusas ability to cause onlookers to become stiff, is a representation of an erection and therefore a confirmation of their manhood and of still having a penis it is in essence, their final confirmation of manhood. Medusa was the only one of the three who could ever be killed. If we go back to Greek antiquity, Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem. Black And Gray Tattoos. The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. 22. This week, a Black Southern quilt collection is donated to a Mississippi museum, the fascinating AI-generated ceramic glazes, a map of Italian Fascist monuments, and can clothing ever truly be recycled?