Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. She has been used as an image of great learning and wisdom for years. Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica Athena's curse was not a punishment for Medusa, but a punishment for the gods and men who intended to harm her. Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. 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. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. This was what attracted Poseidon to her. 9 Meanings, 9 Vertigo Spiritual Meanings: Random Dizziness. How a Medusa Sculpture From a Decade Ago Became #MeToo Art This should be a lesson to learn. Medusa Goddess & Gorgon: 8 Ways to Work With Her Fierce Energy How might womens stories actually be centered around women? She and Mars are Cupid's parents. Through these renditions of her visage, Medusa is painted into a half-human, half-animal monster. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. Your email address will not be published. Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. Medusa represents feminine power. Thankfully, we have collectively realized that the person who deserves to have his head cut off is Neptune, and hopefully one day that revenge fiction will be brought to the big screen. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. 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. It means that medusa can encourage men to embrace their feminine selves. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Well, let me tell you a secret. Her gaze became an omen of protection, the snake on her hair became an omen of wisdom, and she is revered all over the world. . It was this sort of power dangerous, beautiful, and connected to women that both ancients and more modern people felt needed curtailing, oftentimes at the end of a sword. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. 20. Now, the same generation has turned her into a feminist icon with a story too many can relate to; instead of being a symbol of fear, Medusa has become the symbol of justice for sexual assault victims. What Does a Medusa Tattoo Mean? Myth Explained As TikTok - Newsweek The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. As such she posed a great threat to the power of the Greek male-dominated sky gods. For this Athena punished her hideously. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. She was also a powerful representation of facing ones inner demons and how self-reflection can make you into a better person. The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. The myth of Medusa lies at the nexus of conversations about symbolism, feminity, rage, and the ways women are symbols of generativity, desire, and power. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. Seems a little ironic that a monster like Medusa would be used as a way to keep family protected against the evils of the world. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. Her existence reflected on the behavior of men during ancient times in Greece and shows how much have we advanced since then. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. 30+ Scary medusa tattoos design ideas and placement tips 1. Bronze greave (shin guard) for the left leg with Medusa head (Greek, 4th century BCE), bronze, width: 4 7/8 inches; length: 15 3/4inches (courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan P. Rosen, 1991). 22. I aim to share everything I know about history on this blog, hope you enjoy reading too! Lotus Flower (Asia) Red lotus flower. The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. Shes been found on houses, tombs, walls of cities, and temples (including the famous example, the Temple of Artemis in Corfu, which is what my paper circles around). Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. From Freuds telling, the entire story takes place through the perspective of the man in the story, reducing Medusa to something sub-human. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. Many dont know this because Medusa is a monster but her name actually means to protect. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. Through the snake-like strands of medusas hair, the universe is warning you against the deception of your friends. A 450440 BCE red figure pelike container is among the earliest depictions of Medusa as an innocent maiden, with Perseus creeping up on the sleeping Gorgon. 42. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment - Kelly Erin In other words, symbolic decapitation, is a symptom of the real dangers that women face in a culture that is anxious about the powers of masculinity. Cixous demonstrates these points by claiming Freud himself is reductive and neglects to address the female experience in the Medusa myth, thereby erasing her experience, or, symbolically decapitating her as well. The stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology have, over the years, been rediscovered, repurposed, and reinterpreted in more modern contexts. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. The Goddess Medusa: Myths, Symbols, & How To Work - Tea & Rosemary This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. Medusa's Head - Wikipedia Evil Eye. . GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. Throughout the essay she encourages women to come closer in relation to her sexuality, to her womanly being, giving her access to her native strength. She goes on to say that in doing so she will get back her goods, her pleasure, her organs, her immense bodily territories. Cixous continues on, saying that for too long women's bodies have been occupied and deemed guilty guilty of everything, guilty at every turn: for having desire, for not having any; for being frigid, for being too hot; for not being both at once, perhaps even from being both woman and angry. While there were some hints at Medusa once being a beautiful woman, that narrative didnt really get popular until the Roman poet Ovid wrote Metamorphoses, which contained 15 books and over 250 myths, including his version of the Medusa story. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. She was very lovely once, the hope of many An envious suitor, and of all her beauties Her hair most beautifulat least I heard so From one who claimed he had seen her. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. A Note on The Medusa Symbolism - Jstor This is another caution sign from medusa. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Thank you so much for the response! The tragedy of Medusa reflected how ancient Greece viewed women and their attitude towards them. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. For more often than not, shes depicted just as a severed head a visual that even has its own name,the Gorgoneion sculpted, painted, or carved being held aloft by her slayer Perseus. Fortunately, the times have changed and people have started to realize the flaw in their reasoning. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art, in a 2017 essay on Medusa in Ancient Greek Art, which you can also hear on the Mets site, From Ancient Egypt to Teotihuacn, Centuries-Old Palettes Illuminate the Role of the Painter, Tucked Away in LA For Decades, 2,000-Year-Old Roman Mosaic Returns to Italy, Manhattan DA to Seize Looted Hindu Artifact From Met Museum, Roe v. Wade Case Documents Fetch Over $600K at Auction, At the Outsider Art Fair, Passion Trumps Prestige, The Photography Show Presented by AIPAD Arrives in New York. The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. "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. Greek Symbols Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. What does Medusa Represent? They were described as being winged With snakes for hair and having a hatred of mortal man.. The Trinacria, the symbol of Sicily - LivTours Medusas beheading is the ultimate offense because it involves a complete dismemberment, a permanence within the male gaze, and a double darkness. According to Hlne Cixous article The Laugh of Medusa, she claims that. It is believed that she became a goddess after the curse was pronounced. The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. The Medusa Myth Through Time: Monster to Feminist Symbol This is exactly why the story of Medusa continues to captivate us because she is a character that demands to be reimagined, she pushes back against the story that places Perseus at its center, who claims him to be blameless and heroic. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. The evil eye bracelet is great for protecting people from evil stares. In a new show, Nicole Marroquins artworks are in dialogue with the documentary photographs of Mexican-born artist Diana Sols. [5] Protection [ edit] She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. 21. However, seeing her in your dream changes the narrative. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. It wasnt until the Roman poet Ovid made her a more complex character than her original myth wrote her out to be. In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. One of the powers of medusa is protection. Rehabilitating Medusa: Powerful Women, Sexism And Reading Mary Beard's 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. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. In ancient Greek society, which was a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women. Medusa is, in other words, the ultimate femme fatale. 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.) The earliest portrayals of Medusa show a grotesque part human, part animal creature with wings and boar-like tusks. In order to punish her, Athena curses Medusa by replacing her beautiful hair with a head of venomous snakes and making it so anyone who looks into her eyes will be turned to stone. Including floral details in the tattoo gives it a softer, more feminine finish. Venus was born from seafoam. Ideally, Medusa's face is so repulsive and terrifying that it will repel evil entities. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . According to ancient history, it is recorded that medusa was one of the prettiest goddesses in the universe. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Gorgon Medusa. Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. What Depictions of Medusa Say about the Way Society Views Powerful Women (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. The original Hamsa amulet was shaped like a hand with 3 fingers in the middle and the thumb and small finger in a curved shape on either side of the hand. The phallocentric understanding of Medusa that attempts to claim her as an erotic object denies her of her full power of speech, thought, and importance. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with her. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. Mishandling the Myth of Medusa. A Feminist Perspective on Medusa | by Team Zutara forever. Your email address will not be published. Freud considered that as a result, she became the unapproachable woman who repels all sexual desire by carrying (symbolically) the genitals of the mother. a protection against . All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. I heard somewhere (that is not a very reliable source I know) that the story of Medusa is actually a story ancient Greek women would look to for empowerment. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. and rebirth and can be inked as a symbol of protection, warding off evil and keeping the wearer safe from harm. Medusa is known as the god of philosophy, beauty, and art. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. In fact, her name means Queen, and her sisters have similar positive names, whereas Perseus means to destroy and if that doesnt mean something, I dont know what does. What Do Medusa Tattoos Mean? - Myth & Symbolism - Beauty Mag these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. 30 Powerful Medusa Tattoo Designs & Meaning - The Trend Spotter Zeus represented power, Hades represented fairness in death, but what did a mortal who turned into a monster, like Medusa, represent? Often times, this has allowed us to garner some sort of fable-like lesson from the stories of the Illiad or Metamorphoses. She was a monster in her story but her symbols were often used for the good of mankind however ironic it is to hear. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment. Reading Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife has got me thinking about historic women, particularly Medusa. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. As an ancient protection symbol, the Medusa in this way also symbolizes aspects of the mother goddess, especially as a child of Gaia, the creator. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. If men have Medusa in their dreams, according to Freud and Ferencai, it is the terrifying mother syndrome with a castration He then employs her head and its stony glare as a weapon, a tool he subsequently gives to the goddess Athena who wore it on her armor. I Need To Know What 'Very Bland' Opinion Got J.K. 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The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. Throughout all of her work, Cixous decries phallocentric storytelling and histories in which men and the psychoanalytic lens of phallic imagery are centered in womens stories. I remember finding out one day that the name Medusa means protectress, and it makes me wish that someone had been able to protect her. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. Medusa: The Definitive Guide to the Greek Myth (2022) - MythologySource Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. In her book Put A Bag Over Her Head: Beheading Mythological Women, Wendy Doniger posits that if men fear castration of the penis, then women fear decapitation of the head; therefore the penis and the head become the locus of power within the man and woman respectively. When the artist Luciano Garbati made his sculpture . Instead of being seen as a monster, she is now depicted as a feminine Fatale. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. As she became more and more attractive, Medusa's allure became a symbol of her power in the world, a might that was often distinctly feminine. Have a tip or story idea? If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. All of this points to one thing, which is Intellectual power. In ancient Egyptian society, the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) was widely used as a symbol of protection, restoration, and royal power.