Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgon sisters, represented an array of things to the Greeks. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. Because of the origin of medusa, she is an emblem of deep spirituality. 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. The labrys also appears in African religious symbolism and mythology (see Shango). 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 Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. The reason for medusas plight was her unfaithfulness to the vow she made. Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to. Like the evil eye, the Medusa is an apotropaic symbol that protects from evil. 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. 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. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. She is telling you that you will never have to suffer what she endured. She is both feminine and monstrous. 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. American Traditional Medusa Tattoos 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. 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. 42. 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. One of the versions of Medusa has 3 different interpretations. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. When the artist Luciano Garbati made his sculpture . Medusa remains of temporal importance because she is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. 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.. Zeus represented power, Hades represented fairness in death, but what did a mortal who turned into a monster, like Medusa, represent? Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. This gorgeous black and gray tattoo is of Athena, the Greek Goddess. Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. That the only reason that Medusa is the way that she is is because of a curse that was placed on her. The stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology have, over the years, been rediscovered, repurposed, and reinterpreted in more modern contexts. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. Medusa was one of three daughters born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. In a new show, Nicole Marroquins artworks are in dialogue with the documentary photographs of Mexican-born artist Diana Sols. In addition to this, the medusa can help people regain their spiritual fervor and sensitivity. Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. However, Poseidon fell in love with her and slept with her. 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. Thereby, to castrate a man is to severe his most vital organ; and to decapitate a woman is to take her most vital source of power. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. Studio of Antonio Canova, Head of Medusa (Rome, 1806-07), plaster cast with modern metal rod (courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1967). Image Courtesy: pixabay.com. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. What does the Medusa symbolize? It is also given to help you keep your secrets to yourself, thereby avoiding betrayal. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. Unfortunately, the Goddess Athena didnt see it that way and punished her because she couldnt punish the God for his defilement. The evil eye bracelet is great for protecting people from evil stares. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. Team Zutara forever. As Karoglou points out, the majority of hybrids (half-human, half-animal monsters like sirens or Gorgons) in ancient Greece were female. 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. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. 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. 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 Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe. Though there is much to say about the tragedy of Medusa's story, she became a formidable foe. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. 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). I know for a fact Romans wore this as an apotropaic symbol, to avert evil (sorry not as knowledgable about Greek practices yet) . these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. 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. Business, Economics, and Finance. The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. 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. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. You should never joke with what you say because forces are paying attention to every utterance of yours. Medusa represents feminine power. . They were described as being winged With snakes for hair and having a hatred of mortal man.. 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. Therefore, to enhance your intellectual power, try keeping an image of medusa around you. 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. Use this symbol to keep you safe on your travels as did ancient sailors who would paint it on the sides of their boats. Ironic how a woman seen as a monster to men is used as a symbol of protection for the same people who wrote about her story. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment. You can keep medusas image with you to remind you of the danger of unfaithfulness. However, seeing her in your dream changes the narrative. When Athena discovers that Posidon has raped Medusa, she chooses to blame her rather than him. Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus to provide protection. 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 is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. You can either pray to her or keep her image with you. On view in NYC. Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. 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. 21. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. Allison C. Meier is a former staff writer for Hyperallergic. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. The fair fosters a welcoming environment for all those with an appreciation for art, regardless of background or technical know-how. "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. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. mustache stubble was replaced by smooth cheeks, and fangs concealed by shapely lips, a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women, represents a conflicting view of femininity, one that is seemingly alluring but with a threatening or sinister underside. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. a protection against . Jeenah Moon for The New York Times. One of the most complex drawings is medusa. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. She was one of the three Gorgons, or literally "the terrible ones.". She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. 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. 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. visittuscany.com She was also originally a goddess, and I can try to send you all my research on that if you want (though some may be hidden by a paywall, Im not sure). "Pegasus, poetry, was born of Medusa when her head was cut off." - Joseph Campbell. Athena holds her head and Hades her soul. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. Be careful of this. But she forsook her vows to consummate the reciprocated love of Poseidon - God of the Sea. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. 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. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. We dont have proof of this, but it was said that medusa was one of the 5 goddesses that advocated for feminine equality. 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. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art continues through January 6, 2019 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan). This is especially true with the character of Medusa, because while the feminist reclaimed version is the one many of us have come to know, it wasnt always the way Medusa was written. Sculptors and painters would use the Medusa head as an apotropaic symbol to ward. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Beyond the curse she sustained, medusa is known for her deep wisdom and understanding of the world. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". This will also encourage you to always keep to your words. She keeps evil far away from her. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. Save. She went against her vow and married him. 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. 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. He poses the idea that to decapitate = to castrate. Through this framework, Freud posits that the female head is akin to her genitalia keeping in mind that Medusa did in fact give birth to her child from her severed neck. Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. She is also seen as a protective figure, and her head is often used as a symbol of strength and power. Black And Gray Tattoos. Become a subscriber and support the site! No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. Medusa is also seen as a symbol of freedom and liberation for women, as she was used as a symbol of French liberation during the French Revolution. While not the best source, Wikipedia seems to support your claim - it has images of her head used in gorgoneions. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. Peruvian Man Found With Mummy He Called a Spiritual Girlfriend, Picker Art Gallery Presents the Works of William Earle Williams and Nona Faustine, Hito Steyerl to Deliver 2023 Wolgin Lecture at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Preserving an Archive of Chicana and Lesbian History, Internet Goes Wild Over Outdoor Gym of Hindu Puppets, Museum Under Fire for Showing AI Version of Vermeer Masterpiece, The Society Photographer of NYCs Downtown Underground, Affordable Art Fair Returns to NYC With Contemporary Art Under $12,000, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. What does this mean? She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Venus was born from seafoam. 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. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. This prompted the curse she sustains till this moment. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. This is why she has been made into many ceramics, golden, bronze, and silver sculptures unlike other goddesses. The labrys symbolism is found in Minoan, Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. Therefore, the words you speak have consequences. Different regions and cultures . Often times, this has allowed us to garner some sort of fable-like lesson from the stories of the Illiad or Metamorphoses. Pastimes include playing with words, using my passport, and eating croissants. the hair as a phallic symbol) is also a sexualization of the female head. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. I would be super interested in reading your source materials if youre willing (I think I can get around the paywall by using my universitys library so its worth a shot) or I would also like to read your paper whenever youre dont with it if thats easier! If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with 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. 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 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. 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. People often turn into stone when faced with their own difficulties and inner demons. Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. 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. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. While she may be known for her monstrosity, her beauty remains just as dangerous. Hellenism (Greek: Ellinisms, Latin: Hellenismus), also less frequently called Olympianism (Greek: Olympianisms, Latin: Olympianismus) or Dodekatheism (Greek: Dodekathesms, Latin: Duodecimdeismus), is the traditional polytheistic and animistic orthopraxic religion, lifestyle, aesthetics, and ethos of the ancient Graeco-Roman world, and is the indigenous religion of the common Greek and Latin cultural sphere. Despite her origin story being one of purity and renowned beauty, Medusa has come to connote only malevolence and her role as a gorgon, or mythical monster. AirplaneMode - BONES. Medusas snakes were said to represent the cycle of life, rebirth, and death. 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. It should help us to remain true to our words. Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Small Medusa Tattoo . However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. It appears on numerous objects of applied art, such as earrings, cameo rings, and medallion necklaces, etc. These later images may have lost the gaping mouth, sharp teeth, and beard, but they preserve the most striking quality of the Gorgon: the piercing and unflinching outward gaze.. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. 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. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. The earliest portrayals of Medusa show a grotesque part human, part animal creature with wings and boar-like tusks. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. Medusa can be a symbol of female strength and safety for women. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. Early accounts placed the Gorgons in a faraway place on the edge of night. It is said that everyone has a masculine and feminine self. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. Finally, shes a triple goddess. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. Through the snake-like strands of medusas hair, the universe is warning you against the deception of your friends. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. There have been all kinds of well-known feminist attempts over the last fifty years or more to reclaim Medusa for female power (Laugh with Medusa, as the title of one recent collection of essays almost put it) not to mention the use of her as the Versace logo but its made not a blind bit of difference to the way she has been used in attacks on female politicians, writes Beard. Reading Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife has got me thinking about historic women, particularly Medusa. This helps you to be more tender and caring towards other people. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Hyperallergic is a forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. Venus was a Roman goddess who symbolized sex, fertility, love, beauty, desire, and prosperity. I know you wrote this comment nearly a year ago, but Im actually writing a paper on this (which got me into Hellenism, but thats a whole other thing). I bought a Medusa pendant the minute Covid struck my area last March and have been wearing it since. 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. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. All content found on Angelical Balance is for informational purposes only.Made with lots of love, hard work, and energy! 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? She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. Her representationthe Medusa Tattoohas long served as a symbol of protection from evil. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. This should be a lesson to learn. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. It was really interesting and I hadnt heard that she was a triple goddess before, so Im glad I was able to learn something new. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. That's why it's considered protective. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. Although Athena had the power to prevent this, she chooses not to. Lets go ! Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. 1. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. wildfirepunch / Instagram. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. She works with birth, death, and rebirth. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. 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. Many in Greek culture also link snakes to a womans menstruation cycle which relates to the cycle of life and death as well. 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. 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. Medusa represents feminine power. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. In ancient Greece, women were usually accused of provoking men with their image or their personality and are usually blamed when anything happens to them.