Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. She is assuring you that God will fight your battles, and help you to become victorious over your enemies. 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. The Beauty and Horror of Medusa, an Enduring Symbol of Women's Power Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. What does a medusa symbolize? 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. 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. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? Every situation you go through will turn around for your good. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. 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. It should help us to remain true to our words. The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. 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. In the original tale, Poseidon . The answer you seek might just be around the corner. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. Jeenah Moon for The New York Times. What Does a Medusa Tattoo Mean? Myth Explained As TikTok - Newsweek This is another caution sign from medusa. [emailprotected]. You can either pray to her or keep her image with you. The Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. In addition to this, the medusa can help people regain their spiritual fervor and sensitivity. Medusa represents feminine power. 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. The Medusa symbol might have a vary If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. 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? 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 be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. Here we discuss Medusa as a goddess, gorgon, and icon AND we teach you 8 ways to work with her fierce energy. 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. 30 Powerful Medusa Tattoo Designs & Meaning - The Trend Spotter We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. A writer of all things gender, culture, and travel. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. 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. Instead of being seen as a monster, she is now depicted as a feminine Fatale. What does this mean? Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. (1) The history behind the association is unclear. Medusa - the Goddess of Protection - Shakti Bhava Healing Grace It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. 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. Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to. Well, let me tell you a secret. She has the divine ability to keep your mind sane as a female. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment - Kelly Erin 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: . On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. 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. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. Many people have heard about Medusa and her tragic tale but not much is known about the Gorgon herself. 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. In her 2017 book Women & Power: A Manifesto, classicist Mary Beard explores how the image of Medusa is used to skewer women in contemporary politics, from Angela Merkel to Hillary Clinton (with Trump as Perseus in a popular manifestation). 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. Medusa: Feminist Icon | GD 203 - North Carolina State University "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. Dangerous Beauty boldly mingles objects from across centuries in the compact exhibition. She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. This should be a lesson to learn. It speaks about the ability to handle complex situations, and deal with hard tasks. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her. 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. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. Black And Gray Tattoos. Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. 1. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. Be careful of this. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. Medusa - Wikipedia 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 labrys also appears in African religious symbolism and mythology (see Shango). The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . Small Medusa Tattoo . This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. In a more modern sense, her image can be used as a warning to keep others at a distance. severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. The tragedy of Medusa reflected how ancient Greece viewed women and their attitude towards them. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). An. Crypto 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. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. Overall, yes it is okay, and I think I wish to work with her, too. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. What does the Medusa symbolize? This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. Doniger claims that beheading equals the release or termination of sexuality, male or female. Doniger submits that through the sexualization of the female head, (i.e. 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. The Medusa Myth Through Time: Monster to Feminist Symbol The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. However, she found a way to remain relevant. She was also a powerful representation of facing ones inner demons and how self-reflection can make you into a better person. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. In the myths, any mortal who set eyes upon it was immediately turned to stone. Her representationthe Medusa Tattoohas long served as a symbol of protection from evil. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. 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. Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with her. 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. Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. Freud considered that as a result, she became the unapproachable woman who repels all sexual desire by carrying (symbolically) the genitals of the mother. What does the Palm Tree Symbolize? All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. The reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. 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). This gorgeous black and gray tattoo is of Athena, the Greek Goddess. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. Medusa Tattoo Ideas - What Are Some of Her Most Popular plan? As a symbol 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. Venus had many lovers both mortal and immortal. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. 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. 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.) Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. I write about my spiritual experiences to help all those who go through the same. Luciano Garbati's sculpture "Medusa With the Head of Perseus" was unveiled Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. Finally, shes a triple goddess. Thankfully, we have collectively realized that the person who deserves to have his head cut off is Neptune, and hopefully one day that revenge fiction will be brought to the big screen. 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. Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. Medusa Teaches Women How to Turn the Patriarchy into Stone Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. One of the versions of Medusa has 3 different interpretations. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Become a subscriber and support the site! Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. The 42nd edition of the fair showcases contemporary, modern, and 19th century images from 44 photography galleries. 20. The story has always been heavily discussed by classics scholars because of the very gendered image of Perseus cutting Medusas head off and the castration anxiety that became very popular around any type of chopping in psychoanalysis, especially after Sigmund Freuds Das Medusenhaupt (Medusas Head) was published in 1940 after his death. What does it mean when Animals Come to You? Including floral details in the tattoo gives it a softer, more feminine finish. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. 17 Ancient Protection Symbols Against Evil - Insight state Medusa Tattoos: What Do They Symbolize? (With Images) Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. From the blood that . 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. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. Medusa :: The Real Story of the Snake-Haired Gorgon - Greek Mythology Many dont know this because Medusa is a monster but her name actually means to protect. Listed below are the top 11 most important Symbols of Female Strength: Table of Contents [ show] 1. Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. 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. The 11 spiritual messages of the medusa goddess can help you understand more about your life and the virtues you carry. I aim to share everything I know about history on this blog, hope you enjoy reading too! Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. Studio of Antonio Canova, Head of Medusa (Rome, 1806-07), plaster cast with modern metal rod (courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1967). If women venture to claim control over their heads, then they become a threat to the phallic, male-dominated structure. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. Medusa: The Definitive Guide to the Greek Myth (2022) - MythologySource The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. 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. 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". Medusa remains the. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . Indian artist Diptej Vernekar attached puppets of Hindu avatars to exercise equipment that anyone could activate and engage with. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. In a new study, researchers propose that the mind creates an opinion of an artwork after dissecting it into discrete elements. 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. Venus was born from seafoam. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Lets go ! Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. The mythologically beheaded woman is seen (or at least partially seen) does not see; she is blinded and those who have beheaded her are blinded to her real nature. 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. She is both feminine and monstrous. 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. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, lets begin with the narrative of her story. 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. 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. This began with the greeks and later flowed down to every other culture. She is the goddess of philosophy and blesses people with this wisdom. People often come to secure their lives with some supernatural rituals and symbols when they do not feel secure with physical protection. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . To ensure your safety from spiritual attacks, try to keep a medusa symbol in front of your home. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . For example, a sun and moon tattoo, which you can view as a coming together of opposites and a representation of two opposing forces. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. She keeps evil far away from her. Simi is a sophomore at American University and the events director for HerCampusAu. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Evil Eye. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. 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. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. 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. 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 Athena discovers that Posidon has raped Medusa, she chooses to blame her rather than him. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. 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. Team Zutara forever. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. 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. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. 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. 22. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. The complexity lies in how to represent her hair by art. Medusa and Athena: Ancient Allies in Healing Women's Trauma by Laura According to ancient history, it is recorded that medusa was one of the prettiest goddesses in the universe. Your email address will not be published. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. We dont have many of her temples around today, but she was once worshipped as a goddess in the past. In the new and annotated edition of Metamorphoses (highly recommend), it becomes clear that in the eyes of the Romans, Minervas wrath against a rape victim is seen as just, same as with Atalantas rape punishment (getting turned into a lion). Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. . Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. 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. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. The evil eye bracelet is great for protecting people from evil stares.