From Freuds telling, the entire story takes place through the perspective of the man in the story, reducing Medusa to something sub-human. 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.. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. In a more modern sense, her image can be used as a warning to keep others at a distance. 22. 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. The tragedy of Medusa reflected how ancient Greece viewed women and their attitude towards them. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. Dangerous Beauty boldly mingles objects from across centuries in the compact exhibition. The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). The labrys was formerly a symbol of Greek fascism. 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. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. A 450440 BCE red figure pelike container is among the earliest depictions of Medusa as an innocent maiden, with Perseus creeping up on the sleeping Gorgon. This talks about inner strength. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Your email address will not be published. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. 42. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. What does this mean? Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. Some believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. 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. What does this mean? Medusas story showed us the representation of women in ancient Greek society and how people viewed them. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. She calls women to write and express themselves fully. The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. Gaia Symbol of fertility, power, and creation. Like the evil eye, the Medusa is an apotropaic symbol that protects from evil. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. 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. 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. Many in Greek culture also link snakes to a womans menstruation cycle which relates to the cycle of life and death as well. The Medusa symbol might have a vary Flower tattoos are associated with beauty . The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. Medusa is a female character that is present in Greek mythology. visittuscany.com While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Black And Gray Tattoos. 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. The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . "When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows." - Mason Cooley. Up to that point that was Medusa was known for a monster that had the ability to turn her victims into stone. Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. You should never joke with what you say because forces are paying attention to every utterance of yours. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. To become confident in your feminine gender, you should try keeping medusas image with you. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. 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). If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. The Greeks loved to romanticize their culture in the form of Greek mythology and every character in it represented something about their culture. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. 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. If men have Medusa in their dreams, according to Freud and Ferencai, it is the terrifying mother syndrome with a castration All of this points to one thing, which is Intellectual power. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. (1) The history behind the association is unclear. 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. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. In ancient Egyptian society, the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) was widely used as a symbol of protection, restoration, and royal power. She is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Want more stories like this? Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art continues through January 6, 2019 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan). Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. I heard somewhere (that is not a very reliable source I know) that the story of Medusa is actually a story ancient Greek women would look to for empowerment. Many people have heard about Medusa and her tragic tale but not much is known about the Gorgon herself. There is an alluring nature to Medusa, as she is both siren and saint she is the complicated woman we all understand and fear. Can Brain Science Explain Why We Like Certain Artworks? I bought a Medusa pendant the minute Covid struck my area last March and have been wearing it since. This is why she has been made into many ceramics, golden, bronze, and silver sculptures unlike other goddesses. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. What medusa suffered is enough to make her insignificant in the world of spirituality. Zeus represented power, Hades represented fairness in death, but what did a mortal who turned into a monster, like Medusa, represent? She represented the beauty of the female gender and advocated for it. 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. 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). 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. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. While not the best source, Wikipedia seems to support your claim - it has images of her head used in gorgoneions. Be careful of this. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. From the blood that . The tattoo design is empowering for women and can also be seductive. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. Texas Zero Property Tax Bill Has Extreme, Discriminatory Catches, Eurovision 2023 Tickets Announced on Ticketmaster, Celebrating Womens History With Qiu Jin, Chinese Revolutionary, The Penguin Tells a Batverse Scarface Story. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. Medusa is known as the god of philosophy, beauty, and art. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. At this point, Medusas head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers. She is telling you that you will never have to suffer what she endured. She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. In addition to this, the medusa can help people regain their spiritual fervor and sensitivity. Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. Indian artist Diptej Vernekar attached puppets of Hindu avatars to exercise equipment that anyone could activate and engage with. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. She works with birth, death, and rebirth. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About 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. Become a subscriber and support the site! is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Overall, yes it is okay, and I think I wish to work with her, too. She wants you to deliberately watch the things you say. For this Athena punished her hideously. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. Crypto The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. 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. 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. Finally, shes a triple goddess. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. "Pegasus, poetry, was born of Medusa when her head was cut off." - Joseph Campbell. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. She keeps evil far away from her. Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. 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. Now, many are claiming that Medusa is not an evil figure, but a strong person who had to overcome enormous pain and trauma. Emailus. 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. 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. When medusa was cursed, no god was there to help her or fight her battles. 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. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. As such she posed a great threat to the power of the Greek male-dominated sky gods. feelings originating in powerful oral impulses, and, for women, a means for resolving in fantasy the resentment arising from the lack of a penis. Thank you so much for the response! 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 Tattoo Designs 1. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. 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. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. She is also known to ward off evil spirits from peoples environments. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. According to some myths, this was the real head of Medusa. Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy.