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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. 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. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. 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). Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty. (1) The history behind the association is unclear. 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 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). 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. Medusa can be given to you as a sign and message. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. Phoenix Tattoos. 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. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. To become confident in your feminine gender, you should try keeping medusas image with you. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. 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. Answered, One Piece Won a Different Award at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Than I Expected, and Im Delighted, Randall Parks Upcoming Film is Everything Ive Ever Wanted. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. That the only reason that Medusa is the way that she is is because of a curse that was placed on her. An. 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. One of the powers of medusa is protection. 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). 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. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. Worth looking into it, if youre curious. Lets go ! If women venture to claim control over their heads, then they become a threat to the phallic, male-dominated structure. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . Medusa remains of temporal importance because she is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Romans were part of the Greek world, and yes a Gorgon head was an apotropaic symbol in the broader Greek world too. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. The clinical material cited in the above papers refers to male patients, except one case cited by Flugel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. There is an alluring nature to Medusa, as she is both siren and saint she is the complicated woman we all understand and fear. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. She is the goddess of philosophy and blesses people with this wisdom. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. She is both feminine and monstrous. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. Well, let me tell you a secret. People often come to secure their lives with some supernatural rituals and symbols when they do not feel secure with physical protection. 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. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. The answer you seek might just be around the corner. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, lets begin with the narrative of her story. 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. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. 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.. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. We dont have many of her temples around today, but she was once worshipped as a goddess in the past. Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. 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. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. We dont have proof of this, but it was said that medusa was one of the 5 goddesses that advocated for feminine equality. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. While not the best source, Wikipedia seems to support your claim - it has images of her head used in gorgoneions. In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. 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: . All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. Emailus. Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What does this mean? It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to. 9 Spiritual Meanings, 11 Ankh Spiritual Meanings: Egyptian Cross Symbol, Triangle Spiritual Meaning: 11 Symbolisms (Its Good or Bad? 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. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. This is why she has been made into many ceramics, golden, bronze, and silver sculptures unlike other goddesses. 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. 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. Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Medusas story is that she was pregnant with Poseidons child when she was killed. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. In 1976, Hlne Cixous, a noteworthy French feminist theorist, wrote an essay called The Laugh of the Medusa, in which she unpacks this myth. Silencing Powerful Women - The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. Seventeen contemporary artists of the African Diaspora explore how movement and migration shape their artistic practices and lives. It is said that medusa protects people from suffering what she suffered at the hands of Athena. What does a medusa symbolize? Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. 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. From Freuds telling, the entire story takes place through the perspective of the man in the story, reducing Medusa to something sub-human. 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. Business, Economics, and Finance. 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. Early accounts placed the Gorgons in a faraway place on the edge of night. An early 1800s plaster cast from the studio of Antonio Canova showspreparation for the marble statue that now presides over the Mets European Sculpture Court. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. Athena's curse was not a punishment for Medusa, but a punishment for the gods and men who intended to harm her. 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. When the artist Luciano Garbati made his sculpture . Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . It means that medusa can encourage men to embrace their feminine selves. 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. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Medusa is so alluring to us, because she is the image of intoxication, petrifaction, and luring attractiveness. She is seductive to us in her contemporary application and dimensionality. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. She is telling you that you will never have to suffer what she endured. Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. What does the Palm Tree Symbolize? 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. 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. People often turn into stone when faced with their own difficulties and inner demons. Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. 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. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. Black And Gray Tattoos. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art continues through January 6, 2019 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan). Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. 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. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. In the original tale, Poseidon . The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. 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. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. When she's not reading at one of D.C's many coffeeshops she can also be found taking pictures of the different monuments. 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. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. 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". 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. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print 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. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. 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. 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. 42. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. 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. Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. I aim to share everything I know about history on this blog, hope you enjoy reading too! Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Thank you so much for the response! 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. This was what attracted Poseidon to her. The labrys symbolism is found in Minoan, Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. Medusa was protective of her chastity and rejected Poseidons advances when the God tried to seduce her. is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. Medusa was once a powerful feminine symbol, with control over the natural cycle and in harmony with the worlds of earth and sky. If humans werent so tempting then maybe most of the male gods wouldnt be serial rapists. January 28, 2022; asus rog zephyrus s gx531 ram upgrade; was medusa a symbol of protection for women It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. They were described as being winged With snakes for hair and having a hatred of mortal man.. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. 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. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. 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. Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. 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. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. To ensure your safety from spiritual attacks, try to keep a medusa symbol in front of your home. 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. Medusas snakes were said to represent the cycle of life, rebirth, and death. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. Become a subscriber and support the site! When medusa was cursed, no god was there to help her or fight her battles. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. 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? From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. 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.