Although design houses like Versace (and some might say even comedian Kathy Griffin) have tried to reclaim the myth of Medusa for women, it has largely not been effective. 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. This reminded me of how her story, despite it being one where she gets decapitated, has been reclaimed as of late by feminist scholars. Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . People often turn into stone when faced with their own difficulties and inner demons. Athena did not only curse Medusa but also her sisters. 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. Medusa and Athena: Ancient Allies in Healing Women's Trauma by Laura It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. [5] Protection [ edit] Finally, shes a triple goddess. To ensure your safety from spiritual attacks, try to keep a medusa symbol in front of your home. 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. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. Medusa has become an ubiquitous symbol of female empowerment and for good reason. If humans werent so tempting then maybe most of the male gods wouldnt be serial rapists. 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. a protection against . In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). She wants you to deliberately watch the things you say. Small Medusa Tattoo . Her decapitation is in direct result of male anxiety about maintaining power and control. 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. According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an "apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative," representing a "dangerous threat meant to deter other. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. While she may be known for her monstrosity, her beauty remains just as dangerous. There is an alluring nature to Medusa, as she is both siren and saint she is the complicated woman we all understand and fear. If we go back to Greek antiquity, Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem. All content found on Angelical Balance is for informational purposes only.Made with lots of love, hard work, and energy! Romans were part of the Greek world, and yes a Gorgon head was an apotropaic symbol in the broader Greek world too. 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. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". 9 Powerful Protection Symbols Explained - Welcome To Wicca Now 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. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. 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? "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. Medusa represents feminine power. Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. Freud considered that as a result, she became the unapproachable woman who repels all sexual desire by carrying (symbolically) the genitals of the mother. Black And Gray Tattoos. Why Did Athena Curse Medusa? - Myth Nerd Medusa in Ancient Greek Art | Essay - Home - The Metropolitan Museum of Art During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. 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. Its Medusas fault for being so beautiful. Nowadays Medusas can be seen as a symbol of revenge against the male gaze. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. Athena's curse was not a punishment for Medusa, but a punishment for the gods and men who intended to harm her. Of course, one must never mention psychoanalysis and phallic imagery without then mentioning Sigmund Freud, who, during the 20th century, wrote prolifically about the intersection of sexuality and psychology. I Need To Know What 'Very Bland' Opinion Got J.K. 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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. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. "Pegasus, poetry, was born of Medusa when her head was cut off." - Joseph Campbell. When it comes to medusa, we have several mixed stories; however, both stories affirm the fact that medusa was very beautiful. 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. 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. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. 33 Medusa Quotes About The Greek Mythological Figure | Kidadl However, she found a way to remain relevant. The Trinacria, the symbol of Sicily - LivTours Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. 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. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. In this version of the story, it is said that Medusa was in the temple of Minvera and that one day Neptune, the god of the sea, found her and sexually assaulted her. As this article from the Atlantic puts it: "In Western culture, strong women have historically been imagined as threats requiring male conquest and control. Required fields are marked *. Throughout the essay she encourages women to come closer in relation to her sexuality, to her womanly being, giving her access to her native strength. She goes on to say that in doing so she will get back her goods, her pleasure, her organs, her immense bodily territories. Cixous continues on, saying that for too long women's bodies have been occupied and deemed guilty guilty of everything, guilty at every turn: for having desire, for not having any; for being frigid, for being too hot; for not being both at once, perhaps even from being both woman and angry. 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. 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). On view in NYC. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. 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. Can you now see the reason for her plight? What does Medusa Symbolize? 11 Spiritual Meanings - Angelical Balance In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . What does it mean when Animals Come to You? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. 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. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. Become a subscriber and support the site! Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. How a Medusa Sculpture From a Decade Ago Became #MeToo Art She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? 30 Powerful Medusa Tattoo Designs & Meaning - The Trend Spotter Medusa was r*ped by Poseidon in Athena's temple and Athena was wrong for punishing her. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. One of the powers of medusa is protection. Another reminder that Minerva/Athena is not your feminist queen. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. In a new show, Nicole Marroquins artworks are in dialogue with the documentary photographs of Mexican-born artist Diana Sols. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. Medusa Legendary Snake Haired Gorgon of Greek Mythology 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.) The reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. [emailprotected]. The consequence led to a lifetime of living beneath her powers. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. "Medusa and her story have been reclaimed as a symbol of strength and Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. Seventeen contemporary artists of the African Diaspora explore how movement and migration shape their artistic practices and lives. 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. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. 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. Her existence reflected on the behavior of men during ancient times in Greece and shows how much have we advanced since then. I aim to share everything I know about history on this blog, hope you enjoy reading too! The labrys was formerly a symbol of Greek fascism. 11 Important Symbols of Female Strength With Meanings Allison C. Meier is a former staff writer for Hyperallergic. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. 1. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. 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. How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. January 28, 2022; asus rog zephyrus s gx531 ram upgrade; was medusa a symbol of protection for women It should help us to remain true to our words. 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. Gorgoneion - Symbol of Protection - Symbol Sage 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. Her representationthe Medusa Tattoohas long served as a symbol of protection from evil. 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. 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. Meanwhile, a rotation of 1990s Versace fashions presents Medusa as a modern luxury logo. Medusa Tattoo Meaning: Symbolism for Sexual Assault Survivors - Parade Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. Emailus. Greek Symbols It appears on numerous objects of applied art, such as earrings, cameo rings, and medallion necklaces, etc. 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. 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. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. It was really interesting and I hadnt heard that she was a triple goddess before, so Im glad I was able to learn something new. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. 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. To ensure that you are protected from evil, try wearing medusa as a pendant or amulet. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . Medusa's Head - Wikipedia It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. 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. It is said that medusa protects people from suffering what she suffered at the hands of Athena. 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. In it, a nude Perseus proudly presents the dead Gorgons head in one hand, grasping some of the hair that writhes with a few subtle serpents. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . 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. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! 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. ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. Medusa: The Ancient Greek Myth of the Snake-Haired Gorgon - ThoughtCo Save. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. 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. Medusa - the Goddess of Protection - Shakti Bhava Healing Grace She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. What does the Head of Medusa Symbolize? - GTHIC Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. 42. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. The complexity lies in how to represent her hair by art. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. This prompted the curse she sustains till this moment. For women in ancient times, this motif had a specific function and was of great importance. Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. Medusa's name derives from an ancient Greek verb that means "to protect and guard," which may be a nod to Athena's attempt to guard and protect Medusa from further abuse at the hands of Poseidon and other men. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods.