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It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. Medusa in Jewelry. Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . 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. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. According to various sources, Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, so she was able to be beheaded by the Greek hero, Perseus. 21. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. However, she found a way to remain relevant. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. What medusa suffered is enough to make her insignificant in the world of spirituality. But she forsook her vows to consummate the reciprocated love of Poseidon - God of the Sea. 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. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. Small Medusa Tattoo . The tattoo design is empowering for women and can also be seductive. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. Gaia Symbol of fertility, power, and creation. 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. It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Before we talk about the different messages of medusa, let us discuss medusas symbolism. Its Medusas fault for being so beautiful. Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. Pastimes include playing with words, using my passport, and eating croissants. She is also known to ward off evil spirits from peoples environments. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. The evil eye bracelet is great for protecting people from evil stares. 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. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. Athena did not only curse Medusa but also her sisters. I Need To Know What 'Very Bland' Opinion Got J.K. Rowling Kicked Out of a Harry Potter Forum, Disney Found a Way To Make Us Care About Peter Pan Again, 'The Mandalorian' Makes It Pretty Clear Where Gina Carano's Cara Dune Went, 'Quantumania' Writer Shares Painful Thoughts on All the Negative Reviews, 14 Dead By Daylight Characters We Want to See in the Dead by Daylight Movie, The Mary Sue Book Club, March 2023: Powerful Magic, Sensational Secrets, & Public Policy, Was Ellie Gay in The Last of Us Game? She has a stern stare that prevents evil people from glancing at you with their jealous stare. Medusa, in effect, became the archetypal femme fatale: a conflation of femininity, erotic desire, violence, and death, writesKiki Karoglou, associate curator in the Mets Department of Greek and Roman Art and organizer of Dangerous Beauty, in an issue of theMets quarterly Bulletinon the show. Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. The reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. The fair fosters a welcoming environment for all those with an appreciation for art, regardless of background or technical know-how. She was a monster in her story but her symbols were often used for the good of mankind however ironic it is to hear. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. She is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. The consequence led to a lifetime of living beneath her powers. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. When it comes to medusa, we have several mixed stories; however, both stories affirm the fact that medusa was very beautiful. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. What does Medusa Represent? Although Athena had the power to prevent this, she chooses not to. wildfirepunch / Instagram. Her snakes have also made her one of the most popular characters from Greek mythology, with her modern depictions being widely used in modern media. 22. Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. 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. Beauty, like monstrosity, enthralls, and female beauty in particular was perceived and, to a certain extent, is still perceived to be both enchanting and dangerous, or even fatal.. 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). To ensure that you are protected from evil, try wearing medusa as a pendant or amulet. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. I do remember exactly, but as far as I remember, it was explained as she was born mortal, then died, and gave birth through this (the rebirth portion). One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. 1. AirplaneMode - BONES. The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. One day Neptune Found her and raped her, in Minervas temple, And the goddess turned away, and hid her eyes Behind her shield, and, punishing the outrage As it deserved, she changed her hair to serpents, And even now, to frighten evil doers, She carries on her breastplate metal vipers To serve as awful warning of her vengeance.. For example, a sun and moon tattoo, which you can view as a coming together of opposites and a representation of two opposing forces. To become confident in your feminine gender, you should try keeping medusas image with you. In the Artemis temple of Corfu, Medusa is depicted in archaic form as a symbol of fertility with a belt of intertwined snakes on her body. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. 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. The most common interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative, much like the modern evil eye. The evil eye is similar to the Egyptian wedjat, also known as the udjat eye or the Eye of Horus , which is a symbol of protection and good health. What does this mean? Your email address will not be published. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. the hair as a phallic symbol) is also a sexualization of the female head. Her petrifying gaze turns men into stone but only towards those who look at her hideous appearance. Black And Gray Tattoos. She was likened to the modern evil eye and people believed that they needed an image of evil to ward off other evils that could affect them. 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. Through the snake-like strands of medusas hair, the universe is warning you against the deception of your friends. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Meanwhile, a rotation of 1990s Versace fashions presents Medusa as a modern luxury logo. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. Medusa was once a powerful feminine symbol, with control over the natural cycle and in harmony with the worlds of earth and sky. What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? Image Courtesy: pixabay.com. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon - a creature with snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. On view in NYC. Medusas snakes were said to represent the cycle of life, rebirth, and death. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. 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. This should be a lesson to learn. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. 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. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. Unfortunately, the Goddess Athena didnt see it that way and punished her because she couldnt punish the God for his defilement. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. 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. If we go back to Greek antiquity, Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. This prompted the curse she sustains till this moment. Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. It is believed that she became a goddess after the curse was pronounced. She is the opposite of what Michael Foucault called, docile bodies. A concept in which women are expected to conform and submit to the enforced codes and structures of a patriarchal society. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. pic.twitter.com/u61VAuxhJ8. Every situation you go through will turn around for your good. Texas Zero Property Tax Bill Has Extreme, Discriminatory Catches, Eurovision 2023 Tickets Announced on Ticketmaster, Celebrating Womens History With Qiu Jin, Chinese Revolutionary, The Penguin Tells a Batverse Scarface Story. It appears on numerous objects of applied art, such as earrings, cameo rings, and medallion necklaces, etc. Through these renditions of her visage, Medusa is painted into a half-human, half-animal monster. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. I was thinking of getting one for my home then I made a painted wood thing invoking Heracles for protection as mentioned in Greek Religion. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. It should help us to remain true to our words. A soundscape in the exhibition composed by Austin Fisher (which you can also hear on the Mets site) is alternately serene and cacophonous, reflecting how Medusa is pulled back and forth between these seemingly opposed forms. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. In addition to this, the medusa can help people regain their spiritual fervor and sensitivity. Often times, this has allowed us to garner some sort of fable-like lesson from the stories of the Illiad or Metamorphoses. 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. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! She went against her vow and married him. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. You should be fine if you worry about attracting her attention. Men back in the day didnt have the same level of respect for women as they do today because each gender had a different role in society. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment. 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. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. Therefore, the words you speak have consequences. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. Venus was born from seafoam. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. During my free time, I love reading and researching history. The clinical material cited in the above papers refers to male patients, except one case cited by Flugel. The answer you seek might just be around the corner. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, lets begin with the narrative of her story. "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. One of the most complex drawings is medusa. This reminded me of how her story, despite it being one where she gets decapitated, has been reclaimed as of late by feminist scholars. To understand the impact of medusa, the following spiritual messages are important. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. 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. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. 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.) In it, a nude Perseus proudly presents the dead Gorgons head in one hand, grasping some of the hair that writhes with a few subtle serpents. As a symbol I don't see a problem with it. In addition to this, seeing the image of medusa speaks of the intellectual ability of an artist to draw her perfectly. Seventeen contemporary artists of the African Diaspora explore how movement and migration shape their artistic practices and lives. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. 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. What does the Medusa symbolize? When medusa was cursed, no god was there to help her or fight her battles. That the only reason that Medusa is the way that she is is because of a curse that was placed on her. The name Medusa means 'sovereign female wisdom,' 'guardian / protrectress,' 'the one who knows' or 'the one who rules.' It derives from the same Indo-European root as the Sanskrit Medha and the Greek Metis, meaning 'wisdom' and 'intelligence.' (1) Metis, 'the clever one', is Athena's mother. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. Whether you see her as a monster or more of that, the fact is that Medusa slithering her way into being more than meets the eye. When the God of the Sea, Poseidon, was mesmerized by her beauty and forced himself onto her, she was clearly the victim here. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. 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. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. Medusa can be a symbol of female strength and safety for women. The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. 42. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. Reading Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife has got me thinking about historic women, particularly Medusa. Today Medusa, with her snake hair and stare that turns people to stone, endures as an allegorical figure of fatal beauty, or a ready image for superimposing the face of a detested woman in power. Medusa's visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage; one of the first publications to express this idea was a feminist journal called Women: . Nowadays Medusas can be seen as a symbol of revenge against the male gaze. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: Medusa is known as the god of philosophy, beauty, and art. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. Business, Economics, and Finance. In recent years, Medusa has been reformed into a tragic figure who was slut-shamed and victim blamed, simply because punishing a male god (Neptune/Poseidon) would have been considered unthinkable. This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. Feel free to correct me if Im wrong about anything! "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts.