They were described as being "winged With snakes for hair" and having a . Medusa, who was once thought of as a boastful mortal who deserved to be turned into a monster, is now seen in a more sympathetic view by modern standards. 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. Through the snake-like strands of medusas hair, the universe is warning you against the deception of your friends. 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. This should be a lesson to learn. Whenever you see yourself drawing medusa in a dream, it means that the universe has blessed you with creativity. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Many dont know this because Medusa is a monster but her name actually means to protect. Black And Gray Tattoos. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. From the blood that . Venus was a Roman goddess who symbolized sex, fertility, love, beauty, desire, and prosperity. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. If men have Medusa in their dreams, according to Freud and Ferencai, it is the terrifying mother syndrome with a castration Meanwhile, a rotation of 1990s Versace fashions presents Medusa as a modern luxury logo. Silencing Powerful Women - The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. 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. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. 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. And rightly so. 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. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print Gaia Symbol of fertility, power, and creation. 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? You should never joke with what you say because forces are paying attention to every utterance of yours. "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. The answer you seek might just be around the corner. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. Want more stories like this? Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. This is another caution sign from medusa. 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. Sculptors and painters would use the Medusa head as an apotropaic symbol to ward. 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. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. 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. 21. Medusa was once a powerful feminine symbol, with control over the natural cycle and in harmony with the worlds of earth and sky. Medusa represents feminine power. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. 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). Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. Her writhing hair of serpents became wild curls, with maybe a couple of serpents beneath her chin to hint at her more bestial origins. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. Become a subscriber and support the site! Required fields are marked *. 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.. Hyperallergic is a forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today. 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. Small Medusa Tattoo . All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. I write about my spiritual experiences to help all those who go through the same. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. When Athena discovers that Posidon has raped Medusa, she chooses to blame her rather than him. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. Across the internet, this sculpture has become a symbol of feminine rage for women fighting back against male oppression and, in a way, Medusa is the perfect face for the feminist movement: a woman who had her bodily autonomy taken from her, was cursed, forced to live a life she did not choose, but yet was still immensely powerful. 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.) What does a medusa symbolize? Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. 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. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. 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. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. 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. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. Medusa can be a symbol of female strength and safety for women. One of the powers of medusa is protection. When the God of the Sea, Poseidon, was mesmerized by her beauty and forced himself onto her, she was clearly the victim here. For example, a sun and moon tattoo, which you can view as a coming together of opposites and a representation of two opposing forces. 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. 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). Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. Some believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. We dont have proof of this, but it was said that medusa was one of the 5 goddesses that advocated for feminine equality. This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. The jazz drummers polymathic experimentation also spanned visual art, botany, and even an improvisational martial art he invented called Yara. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. Zeus represented power, Hades represented fairness in death, but what did a mortal who turned into a monster, like Medusa, represent? The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Luciano Garbati's sculpture "Medusa With the Head of Perseus" was unveiled Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. visittuscany.com 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. In myth Medusa was the granddaughter of the earth (Gaia) and the ocean (Oceanus), a beautiful mortal Gorgon maiden sworn to celibacy to fulfill her duties as an attendant to Athena. Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with her. 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. 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. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . 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. Lets go ! Can Brain Science Explain Why We Like Certain Artworks? Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. According to ancient history, it is recorded that medusa was one of the prettiest goddesses in the universe. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art, in a 2017 essay on Medusa in Ancient Greek Art, which you can also hear on the Mets site, From Ancient Egypt to Teotihuacn, Centuries-Old Palettes Illuminate the Role of the Painter, Tucked Away in LA For Decades, 2,000-Year-Old Roman Mosaic Returns to Italy, Manhattan DA to Seize Looted Hindu Artifact From Met Museum, Roe v. Wade Case Documents Fetch Over $600K at Auction, At the Outsider Art Fair, Passion Trumps Prestige, The Photography Show Presented by AIPAD Arrives in New York. Medusa has 11 spiritual meanings, which we look at in this article. Due to the apotropaic (protective) function of her image, the hydra Medusa motif has been widespread since the Hellenistic period. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. The original Hamsa amulet was shaped like a hand with 3 fingers in the middle and the thumb and small finger in a curved shape on either side of the hand. 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. 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). If humans werent so tempting then maybe most of the male gods wouldnt be serial rapists. 1. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . 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. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? Medusa in Jewelry. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. 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. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. wildfirepunch / Instagram. Be careful of this. As such she posed a great threat to the power of the Greek male-dominated sky gods. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The Medusa symbol might have a vary It is said that everyone has a masculine and feminine self. Studio of Antonio Canova, Head of Medusa (Rome, 1806-07), plaster cast with modern metal rod (courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fletcher Fund, 1967). Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Medusas story is that she was pregnant with Poseidons child when she was killed. Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. 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). The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgon sisters, represented an array of things to the Greeks. One day Neptune Found her and raped her, in Minervas temple, And the goddess turned away, and hid her eyes Behind her shield, and, punishing the outrage As it deserved, she changed her hair to serpents, And even now, to frighten evil doers, She carries on her breastplate metal vipers To serve as awful warning of her vengeance.. Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! That the only reason that Medusa is the way that she is is because of a curse that was placed on her. Open March 31 through April 2. 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. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. The labrys also appears in African religious symbolism and mythology (see Shango). Modern women and pagans realize just how powerful Medusa's story is and what it means to women, trans women, the downtrodden and oppressed today. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her. Medusa remains the. 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). The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. 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. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Medusa represents feminine power. Unfortunately, the Goddess Athena didnt see it that way and punished her because she couldnt punish the God for his defilement. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . In recent years, Medusa has been reformed into a tragic figure who was slut-shamed and victim blamed, simply because punishing a male god (Neptune/Poseidon) would have been considered unthinkable. The Greeks believed most snakes to be poisonous as well which represents the end of a life cycle. Indian artist Diptej Vernekar attached puppets of Hindu avatars to exercise equipment that anyone could activate and engage with. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. 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 was the only one of the three who could ever be killed. 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. She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. As a symbol I don't see a problem with it. What does it mean when Animals Come to You? She may also be accessed as a living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries. 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. 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. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? Simi is very passionate about talking about women of color in media, politics, and the arts. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. 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. 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. Shoulder Medusa Tattoo Fabio Mauro Symbol Sage points out, "The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments." Further to this ability to turn people into stone, depictions of Medusa were used as a type of protection against evil. It also speaks of the power to generate new ideas for accomplishing a given task.