was medusa a symbol of protection for women
The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. An. When it comes to medusa, we have several mixed stories; however, both stories affirm the fact that medusa was very beautiful. Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art draws on around 60 works from the Manhattan museums collections to explore the transformation of Medusa and other classical female hybrid creatures, from sphinxes to sirens to Scylla, a sailor-eating sea creature with twelve legs and six necks who makes an appearance in Homers Odyssey. Medusa represents feminine power. Now, many are claiming that Medusa is not an evil figure, but a strong person who had to overcome enormous pain and trauma. Want more stories like this? Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. From the blood that . Greek mythology has long fascinated me, but Im also intrigued by how the stories have changed and developed over time, as have interpretations of those stories. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. 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. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. I write about my spiritual experiences to help all those who go through the same. Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. 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. The Gorgon, Medusa, was said to have been raped by the God of the Sea, Poseidon, but were there any children that were a product of this animosity? Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. 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. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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 clinical material cited in the above papers refers to male patients, except one case cited by Flugel. Indian artist Diptej Vernekar attached puppets of Hindu avatars to exercise equipment that anyone could activate and engage with. Romans were part of the Greek world, and yes a Gorgon head was an apotropaic symbol in the broader Greek world too. This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her. a protection against . According to ancient history, it is recorded that medusa was one of the prettiest goddesses in the universe. 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. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. What does this mean? Medusa was protective of her chastity and rejected Poseidons advances when the God tried to seduce her. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. American Traditional Medusa Tattoos 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. 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. 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.. Read the best quotes from Greek mythology about Medusa. Evil Eye. On view in NYC. Medusa has become an ubiquitous symbol of female empowerment and for good reason. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. She is assuring you that God will fight your battles, and help you to become victorious over your enemies. Our image of Medusa is one of pure evil, but in reality, she is raped and impregnated by her rapist. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. She was also a ward of sorts for the Greeks to protect themselves against the negativity in life. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. 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. In Medusas story, the Gorgon was born a beautiful mortal among her hideous immortal siblings which people saw as a blessing for her. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. wildfirepunch / Instagram. 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). Medusa remains of temporal importance because she is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. She swore an oath of commitment but did not stay true to it. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. . Still no matter her form or decapitation her gaze is never averted, looking directly at the viewer as an assertion of her horrifying power that cannot be completely subverted by beauty. She works with birth, death, and rebirth. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. Small Medusa Tattoo . 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. Then her severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. There is a painful recognition in the fact that Medusas head the center of her knowledge and power is taken from her in order to empower a man and to fight his battles for him. Fortunately, the times have changed and people have started to realize the flaw in their reasoning. 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. 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. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. She keeps evil far away from her. It is said that everyone has a masculine and feminine self. The 42nd edition of the fair showcases contemporary, modern, and 19th century images from 44 photography galleries. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. Have a tip or story idea? What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. 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. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. She was a monster in her story but her symbols were often used for the good of mankind however ironic it is to hear. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. This is another caution sign from medusa. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: (1) The history behind the association is unclear. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. What does this mean? All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. 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. What does the Palm Tree Symbolize? Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art continues through January 6, 2019 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan). Athena holds her head and Hades her soul. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. Medusa Greek Mythology Quotes. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. Venus was a Roman goddess who symbolized sex, fertility, love, beauty, desire, and prosperity. This should be a lesson to learn. "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. 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. these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). She was one of the three Gorgons, or literally "the terrible ones.". It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. 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. 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. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". 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. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. She has the divine ability to keep your mind sane as a female. 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. Whenever you see yourself drawing medusa in a dream, it means that the universe has blessed you with creativity. The Greeks believed most snakes to be poisonous as well which represents the end of a life cycle. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. 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. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. However, Poseidon fell in love with her and slept with her. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. 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. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. Medusa can be given to you as a sign and message. Medusa was the only one of the three who could ever be killed. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. Venus had many lovers both mortal and immortal. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. In the original tale, Poseidon . In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. Moreover, the Gorgon was also seen as a symbol of protection to ward off the evils and negativity of life. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. The closest alternative to the evil eye bracelet is the medusas bracelet. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. Can you now see the reason for her plight? 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). 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. . 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. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. 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. Listed below are the top 11 most important Symbols of Female Strength: Table of Contents [ show] 1. 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. 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). It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Seems a little ironic that a monster like Medusa would be used as a way to keep family protected against the evils of the world. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. 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. 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. The Greeks loved to romanticize their culture in the form of Greek mythology and every character in it represented something about their culture. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. Venus was born from seafoam. What does Medusa Symbolize? At this point, Medusas head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers. This reminded me of how her story, despite it being one where she gets decapitated, has been reclaimed as of late by feminist scholars. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. It wasnt until the Roman poet Ovid made her a more complex character than her original myth wrote her out to be. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus to provide protection. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. Medusa is known as the god of philosophy, beauty, and art. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. 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. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. This will also encourage you to always keep to your words. The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. 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. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. 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. In ancient Greek society, which was a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women. Medusa is, in other words, the ultimate femme fatale.