It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. This is another caution sign from medusa. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. Up to that point that was Medusa was known for a monster that had the ability to turn her victims into stone. 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. 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). Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. mustache stubble was replaced by smooth cheeks, and fangs concealed by shapely lips, a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women, represents a conflicting view of femininity, one that is seemingly alluring but with a threatening or sinister underside. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. The reason for medusas plight was her unfaithfulness to the vow she made. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. What does the Medusa symbolize? She has a stern stare that prevents evil people from glancing at you with their jealous stare. This week, a Black Southern quilt collection is donated to a Mississippi museum, the fascinating AI-generated ceramic glazes, a map of Italian Fascist monuments, and can clothing ever truly be recycled? In the original tale, Poseidon . Medusa remains of temporal importance because she is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. What does this mean? Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. Here we discuss Medusa as a goddess, gorgon, and icon AND we teach you 8 ways to work with her fierce energy. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . It is said that everyone has a masculine and feminine self. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. 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 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). Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. 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. 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. 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. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. This reminded me of how her story, despite it being one where she gets decapitated, has been reclaimed as of late by feminist scholars. The labrys symbolism is found in Minoan, Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. Save. 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. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. The rebooted TV series Charmed just did an episode touching on this, and it was really powerful because of all the work done to reclaim the character by pop culture. Terracotta two-handled funnel vase with Medusa head (Greek, South Italian, Apulian, Canosan, Early Hellenistic, late 4thearly 3rd century BCE), terracotta, height: 30 3/4 inches; diameter: 17 5/16 inches (courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund, 1906). 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. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. She wants you to deliberately watch the things you say. the hair as a phallic symbol) is also a sexualization of the female head. This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. Black And Gray Tattoos. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. Evil Eye. This talks about inner strength. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. The myth tells us that the only way to defeat Medusa is by looking at our reflections through a mirror and this tells us that we should reflect upon ourselves to defeat our darkest demons. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. It is also given to help you keep your secrets to yourself, thereby avoiding betrayal. Open March 31 through April 2. 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.) Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. She keeps evil far away from her. She has the power to make you spiritually active and sensitive again. 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). 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. What does it mean when Animals Come to You? It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. This helps you to be more tender and caring towards other people. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . Small Medusa Tattoo . Athena did not only curse Medusa but also her sisters. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. 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. What does the Palm Tree Symbolize? ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. 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. 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). is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. She was also a ward of sorts for the Greeks to protect themselves against the negativity in life. Her symbols were a shield that frequently appeared above her head in ancient hieroglyphics which was why she was killed with a reflective shield in Greek mythology. The 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. 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. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. As a symbol I don't see a problem with it. As Elizabeth Johnston claims in her 2016 Atlantic essay, Medusa may be the original Nasty Woman. In 2020, it might be easy to chastise the women in the 90s who called Medusa the most horrific woman, but perhaps we would be better suited to remind ourselves just how recently things have begun to change. All of this points to one thing, which is Intellectual power. Her power is also associated with protection, as she was often depicted as a guardian of the temple. Simi is very passionate about talking about women of color in media, politics, and the arts. 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. However, Poseidon fell in love with her and slept with her. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. Every situation you go through will turn around for your good. 22. As such she posed a great threat to the power of the Greek male-dominated sky gods. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Medusa's visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage; one of the first publications to express this idea was a feminist journal called Women: . Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. She is also known to ward off evil spirits from peoples environments. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. You can keep medusas image with you to remind you of the danger of unfaithfulness. a protection against . It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. 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. If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. She has been used as an image of great learning and wisdom for years. these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. 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. Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. Medusa in Jewelry. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. To ensure that you are protected from evil, try wearing medusa as a pendant or amulet. During my free time, I love reading and researching history. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat.