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Medusa represents feminine power. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. Medusa was protective of her chastity and rejected Poseidons advances when the God tried to seduce her. I bought a Medusa pendant the minute Covid struck my area last March and have been wearing it since. 22. Gorgon Medusa. 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. Finally, shes a triple goddess. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. Many in Greek culture also link snakes to a womans menstruation cycle which relates to the cycle of life and death as well. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. In a new study, researchers propose that the mind creates an opinion of an artwork after dissecting it into discrete elements. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. The Medusa symbol might have a vary In the 1994 book, Female Rage: Unlocking Its Secrets, Claiming Its Power, the authors claimed that when they asked women what female rage looked like to them, it was always Medusawho came to mindIn one interview after another they were told that Medusa is the most horrific woman in the world. None of the women they interview could remember the details of the myth, and perhaps, had they been able to, they would have had a different perspective. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. What Depictions of Medusa Say about the Way Society Views Powerful Women 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. The myth tells us that the only way to defeat Medusa is by looking at our reflections through a mirror and this tells us that we should reflect upon ourselves to defeat our darkest demons. Medusa is both a symbolic and cultural figure for many, as she was cursed by Greek deities and later became a protectress and warden for them as a former worshipper of Athena. Nowadays Medusas can be seen as a symbol of revenge against the male gaze. Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. An Interpretation of the Symbolism of Medusa - jstor.org 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. Want more stories like this? Mishandling the Myth of Medusa. A Feminist Perspective on Medusa | by 17 Ancient Protection Symbols Against Evil - Insight state 23 Best Mythological Greek God Tattoos And The Meanings - STYLECRAZE Medusa - Symbolizing the Power of the Feminine - Home - Symbol Sage In Greek mythology, she is one of the Gorgon sisters (derived from the Greek gorgs for dreadful), and Perseus uses a reflective bronze shield to defeat her. 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.. If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. Lotus Flower (Asia) Red lotus flower. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. What Does Medusa Tattoo Mean? | Represent Symbolism 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. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. The Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. You can either pray to her or keep her image with you. The Trinacria, the symbol of Sicily - LivTours If we go back to Greek antiquity, Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem. This gorgeous black and gray tattoo is of Athena, the Greek Goddess. a protection against . Female Symbols - Ancient Symbols The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . The beginning of the cycle represents an opportunity to bring in new life while the later parts represent the end of life. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: The reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. This began with the greeks and later flowed down to every other culture. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Ancient Greek artists originally portrayed Medusa as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. This image of Medusa began to shift when mustache stubble was replaced by smooth cheeks, and fangs concealed by shapely lips, as Classical artists began to feminize her once again. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. Black And Gray Tattoos. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. Phoenix Tattoos. Medusa's name derives from an ancient Greek verb that means "to protect and guard," which may be a nod to Athena's attempt to guard and protect Medusa from further abuse at the hands of Poseidon and other men. 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. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. Team Zutara forever. It should help us to remain true to our words. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . Read the best quotes from Greek mythology about Medusa. Before we talk about the different messages of medusa, let us discuss medusas symbolism. As Elizabeth Johnston claims in her 2016 Atlantic essay, Medusa may be the original Nasty Woman. In 2020, it might be easy to chastise the women in the 90s who called Medusa the most horrific woman, but perhaps we would be better suited to remind ourselves just how recently things have begun to change. Her energy can be channeled for spiritual activities like spells, rituals, and prayers. 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. After all, we are in a post #MeToo moment, when we can clearly recognize Medusas myth as a rape narrative one in which the victim is blamed and cast out by her community for crimes perpetrated against her. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. 59 Likes, TikTok video from Sasha Melendez (@sashamelendez15): ""Medusa and her story have been reclaimed as a symbol of strength and power, with her image also being used as a mark of protection against evils." #viral #medusa #saawareness #9thgenaccord". The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster It has the divine power to protect you from harm. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. 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. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Our image of Medusa is one of pure evil, but in reality, she is raped and impregnated by her rapist. 11 Important Symbols of Female Strength With Meanings The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. 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. Medusa remains the. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. 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. 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). Her representationthe Medusa Tattoohas long served as a symbol of protection from evil. One of the versions of Medusa has 3 different interpretations. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. PDF One With Her Sheild - University of Hawaii at Hilo Reading Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife has got me thinking about historic women, particularly Medusa. Protection symbols are the specific signs that people use to safeguard against evil and negative energies, especially to have a strong spiritual and ritual impression in mind. Medusa :: The Real Story of the Snake-Haired Gorgon - Greek Mythology Fortunately, the times have changed and people have started to realize the flaw in their reasoning. 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. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Animals of the Greek Gods - Athens and Beyond Sculptors and painters would use the Medusa head as an apotropaic symbol to ward. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. 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. 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. What medusa suffered is enough to make her insignificant in the world of spirituality. The consequence led to a lifetime of living beneath her powers. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? Another reminder that Minerva/Athena is not your feminist queen. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. 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: . The earliest portrayals of Medusa show a grotesque part human, part animal creature with wings and boar-like tusks. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. 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. Vanderbilt University Rehabilitating Medusa: Powerful Women, Sexism And Reading Mary Beard's She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. What Do Medusa Tattoos Mean? - Myth & Symbolism - Beauty Mag Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. Studio of Antonio Canova, Head of Medusa (Rome, 1806-07), plaster cast with modern metal rod (courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1967). [emailprotected]. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. Your email address will not be published. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art continues through January 6, 2019 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan). Medusa Tattoos: What Do They Symbolize? (With Images) To ensure your safety from spiritual attacks, try to keep a medusa symbol in front of your home. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. Medusa: The Ancient Greek Myth of the Snake-Haired Gorgon - ThoughtCo 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. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. Now Medusa is now seen as a feminist icon as her ability to turn men into stone can be seen as a way to empower womxn; as Poet Percy Shelley writes about the snaked hair womxns powers as both being full of grace and terror. Medusa can be given to you as a sign and message. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. Thank you so much for the response! 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. Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. Small Medusa Tattoo . It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. Greek Symbols During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. Medusa in Ancient Greek Art | Essay - Home - The Metropolitan Museum of Art 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. As Elizabeth Johnston says in her 2016 piece The Original Nasty Woman on Medusa: In Western culture, strong women have historically been imagined as threats requiring male conquest and control, and Medusa herself has long been the go-to figure for those seeking to demonize female authority.. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. 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. She swore an oath of commitment but did not stay true to it. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Google any famous womans name, perhaps Angela Merkel, Nancy Pelosi, or Hillary Clinton along with the word Medusa. For centuries women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes.Its clear in our society the sexually and intellectually independent woman is a fearsome sight to behold. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. They were described as being "winged With snakes for hair" and having a . Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. the "old women," Pemphredoo, Enyo, and Deino or Perso, who share one tooth and one eye which they pass between them; the Graiai play a role in Medusa's myth. Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . She keeps evil far away from her. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. What does the Head of Medusa Symbolize? - GTHIC The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. About US | Privacy Policy | Contact Information | Pinterest | Web Stories. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. At this point, Medusas head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers. As weve mentioned, the myth of Medusa can be interpreted in various ways, but I think perhaps the most fascinating analysis is done through a feminist perspective because it unveils just how swift we are to circumvent female rage. If humans werent so tempting then maybe most of the male gods wouldnt be serial rapists. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. She is also seen as a protective figure, and her head is often used as a symbol of strength and power. Her power is also associated with protection, as she was often depicted as a guardian of the temple. Greek mythology has long fascinated me, but Im also intrigued by how the stories have changed and developed over time, as have interpretations of those stories. How might womens stories actually be centered around women? Returning to those startling early images of Medusa, with her bared teeth and frightful snake hair, theres a narrative here on how transforming her into something benignly ornamental was another level of control. She is both feminine and monstrous. Different regions and cultures . The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. Her petrifying gaze turns men into stone but only towards those who look at her hideous appearance. However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. Image Courtesy: pixabay.com. Ideally, Medusa's face is so repulsive and terrifying that it will repel evil entities. Installation view of Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (photo by the author for Hyperallergic), Terracotta pelike (jar) with Perseus beheading the sleeping Medusa, attributed to Polygnotos (Greek, 450440 BCE), terracotta, height: 18 13/16 inches, diameter: 13 1/2 inches (courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund, 1945), Madeleine Glennonin a 2017 essay on Medusa in Ancient Greek Artfor the Met notes thatClassical and Hellenistic images of Medusa are more human, but she retains a sense of the unknown through specific supernatural details such as wings and snakes. I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. Cixous emphasizes the importance of the female voice, of womens story, she urges women to urgently learn to speak; because after all a woman without a body, dumb, blind, cant possibly be a good fighter. Herein, we see Medusas head, cut from her body, being held up by Perseus, she is reduced to being the servant of the militant male, his shadow. In what insidious ways are women made to be in a mans shadow?