She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. She was one of the three Gorgons, or literally "the terrible ones.". (1) The history behind the association is unclear. 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). ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. But she forsook her vows to consummate the reciprocated love of Poseidon - God of the Sea. The labrys was formerly a symbol of Greek fascism. In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. Medusa represents feminine power. 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. For example, a sun and moon tattoo, which you can view as a coming together of opposites and a representation of two opposing forces. The 11 spiritual messages of the medusa goddess can help you understand more about your life and the virtues you carry. Pastimes include playing with words, using my passport, and eating croissants. Her writhing hair of serpents became wild curls, with maybe a couple of serpents beneath her chin to hint at her more bestial origins. these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. 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. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. . On view in NYC. . 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. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. 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. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Small Medusa Tattoo . This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. 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. Gaia Symbol of fertility, power, and creation. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. She has a stern stare that prevents evil people from glancing at you with their jealous stare. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. 1. Medusa in Jewelry. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. This began with the greeks and later flowed down to every other culture. The story of Medusa shifted over time along with her visage. 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. A soundscape in the exhibition composed by Austin Fisher (which you can also hear on the Mets site) is alternately serene and cacophonous, reflecting how Medusa is pulled back and forth between these seemingly opposed forms. People often turn into stone when faced with their own difficulties and inner demons. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. wildfirepunch / Instagram. After all, we are in a post #MeToo moment, when we can clearly recognize Medusas myth as a rape narrative one in which the victim is blamed and cast out by her community for crimes perpetrated against her. Medusa Greek Mythology Quotes. Overall, yes it is okay, and I think I wish to work with her, too. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. 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.) 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.. To ensure your safety from spiritual attacks, try to keep a medusa symbol in front of your home. It speaks about the ability to handle complex situations, and deal with hard tasks. Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. The Greeks believed most snakes to be poisonous as well which represents the end of a life cycle. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Her gaze became an omen of protection, the snake on her hair became an omen of wisdom, and she is revered all over the world. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. One of the most complex drawings is medusa. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. To understand the impact of medusa, the following spiritual messages are important. If humans werent so tempting then maybe most of the male gods wouldnt be serial rapists. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. The myths and stories about medusa are true. 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. 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. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. When she's not reading at one of D.C's many coffeeshops she can also be found taking pictures of the different monuments. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. 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. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. We dont have proof of this, but it was said that medusa was one of the 5 goddesses that advocated for feminine equality. In her book Put A Bag Over Her Head: Beheading Mythological Women, Wendy Doniger posits that if men fear castration of the penis, then women fear decapitation of the head; therefore the penis and the head become the locus of power within the man and woman respectively. During my free time, I love reading and researching history. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. Team Zutara forever. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. Chariot pole finial with the head of Medusa (detail) (Roman, Imperial, 1st2nd century CE), bronze, silver, and copper, height: 7 1/4 inches, width: 7 inches; diameter: 4 1/4 inches (courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Rogers Fund, 1918). She is assuring you that God will fight your battles, and help you to become victorious over your enemies. By the fifth century BCE, that figure from Greek myth began to morph into an alluring seductress, shaped by the idealization of the body in Greek art. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. What does a medusa symbolize? If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. 1. Thereby, to castrate a man is to severe his most vital organ; and to decapitate a woman is to take her most vital source of power. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. 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. Open March 31 through April 2. 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. 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. 42. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. Simi is very passionate about talking about women of color in media, politics, and the arts. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. 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. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? Crypto Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. To become confident in your feminine gender, you should try keeping medusas image with you. It wasnt until the Roman poet Ovid made her a more complex character than her original myth wrote her out to be. the "old women," Pemphredoo, Enyo, and Deino or Perso, who share one tooth and one eye which they pass between them; the Graiai play a role in Medusa's myth. 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. From the blood that . The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. Men back in the day didnt have the same level of respect for women as they do today because each gender had a different role in society. Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. visittuscany.com Venus had many lovers both mortal and immortal. This should be a lesson to learn. She went against her vow and married him. Fortunately, the times have changed and people have started to realize the flaw in their reasoning. How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? For this Athena punished her hideously. Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. [emailprotected]. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. The fair fosters a welcoming environment for all those with an appreciation for art, regardless of background or technical know-how. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". It is believed that she became a goddess after the curse was pronounced. Gorgon Medusa. Among them, the most prominent was the horse, a symbol of valor and beauty since he himself fathered many horses, the best-known being the winged horse Pegasus by the Gorgon Medusa. Ideally, Medusa's face is so repulsive and terrifying that it will repel evil entities. The Medusa symbol might have a vary It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. Have a tip or story idea? As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. 21. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. Her decapitation is in direct result of male anxiety about maintaining power and control. Required fields are marked *. Often times, this has allowed us to garner some sort of fable-like lesson from the stories of the Illiad or Metamorphoses. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, lets begin with the narrative of her story. That's why it's considered protective. It also speaks of the power to generate new ideas for accomplishing a given task. Our image of Medusa is one of pure evil, but in reality, she is raped and impregnated by her rapist. She wants you to deliberately watch the things you say. She calls women to write and express themselves fully. This is why she has been made into many ceramics, golden, bronze, and silver sculptures unlike other goddesses. Medusa has 11 spiritual meanings, which we look at in this article. Her energy can be channeled for spiritual activities like spells, rituals, and prayers. 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. Different regions and cultures . To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. In 1976, Hlne Cixous, a noteworthy French feminist theorist, wrote an essay called The Laugh of the Medusa, in which she unpacks this myth. Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. While not the best source, Wikipedia seems to support your claim - it has images of her head used in gorgoneions. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. The jazz drummers polymathic experimentation also spanned visual art, botany, and even an improvisational martial art he invented called Yara. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. I remember finding out one day that the name Medusa means protectress, and it makes me wish that someone had been able to protect her. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. 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). While there were some hints at Medusa once being a beautiful woman, that narrative didnt really get popular until the Roman poet Ovid wrote Metamorphoses, which contained 15 books and over 250 myths, including his version of the Medusa story. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. 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. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. According to ancient history, it is recorded that medusa was one of the prettiest goddesses in the universe. Like the evil eye, the Medusa is an apotropaic symbol that protects from evil. All of Medusa's siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not, she had the misfortune of being turned . 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. 20. More by Allison Meier. "Pegasus, poetry, was born of Medusa when her head was cut off." - Joseph Campbell. 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. Medusa was one of three daughters born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. 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? 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. What does the Palm Tree Symbolize? The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. 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. AirplaneMode - BONES. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. Allison C. Meier is a former staff writer for Hyperallergic. She keeps evil far away from her. The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. Lotus Flower (Asia) Red lotus flower. Seventeen contemporary artists of the African Diaspora explore how movement and migration shape their artistic practices and lives. In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. I aim to share everything I know about history on this blog, hope you enjoy reading too! 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. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. Beyond the curse she sustained, medusa is known for her deep wisdom and understanding of the world. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. 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. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. Image Courtesy: pixabay.com. This talks about inner strength. I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. Therefore, to enhance your intellectual power, try keeping an image of medusa around you. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . She works with birth, death, and rebirth. 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. Listed below are the top 11 most important Symbols of Female Strength: Table of Contents [ show] 1. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Silencing Powerful Women - The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. 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. Your email address will not be published. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . Be careful of this. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. Well, let me tell you a secret. 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). 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. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. In a later version, as told by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa is a beautiful human woman, who is turned into a monster by Athena as punishment after she is raped by Poseidon (woe to mortal women in mythology). Luciano Garbati's sculpture "Medusa With the Head of Perseus" was unveiled Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. This was what attracted Poseidon to her. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. 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. As Karoglou points out, the majority of hybrids (half-human, half-animal monsters like sirens or Gorgons) in ancient Greece were female. Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. In Medusas story, the Gorgon was born a beautiful mortal among her hideous immortal siblings which people saw as a blessing for her. 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. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. "When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows." - Mason Cooley. As such she posed a great threat to the power of the Greek male-dominated sky gods. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to.