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). . It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. Become a subscriber and support the site! Another reminder that Minerva/Athena is not your feminist queen. What Does Medusa Tattoo Mean? | Represent Symbolism 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. Venus was born from seafoam. PDF One With Her Sheild - University of Hawaii at Hilo In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. I would be super interested in reading your source materials if youre willing (I think I can get around the paywall by using my universitys library so its worth a shot) or I would also like to read your paper whenever youre dont with it if thats easier! 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. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. Required fields are marked *. Well, let me tell you a secret. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. What Does a Medusa Tattoo Mean? Myth Explained As TikTok - Newsweek Medusa Teaches Women How to Turn the Patriarchy into Stone Lets go ! In ancient Egyptian society, the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) was widely used as a symbol of protection, restoration, and royal power. Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. 9 Powerful Protection Symbols Explained - Welcome To Wicca Now If the sexualization of the female head causes subjectivity of the woman, then I argue that Freuds analysis (i.e. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. The fair fosters a welcoming environment for all those with an appreciation for art, regardless of background or technical know-how. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Why Did Athena Curse Medusa? - Myth Nerd Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. As Elizabeth Johnston says in her 2016 piece The Original Nasty Woman on Medusa: In Western culture, strong women have historically been imagined as threats requiring male conquest and control, and Medusa herself has long been the go-to figure for those seeking to demonize female authority.. 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). About US | Privacy Policy | Contact Information | Pinterest | Web Stories. Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. She is the opposite of what Michael Foucault called, docile bodies. A concept in which women are expected to conform and submit to the enforced codes and structures of a patriarchal society. Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Medusa's Mirror: Healing the Collective Trauma of the Fallen Priestess Her luscious hair was her most defining feature and she wasnt shy of flaunting herself to others either. Medusa Goddess & Gorgon: 8 Ways to Work With Her Fierce Energy In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. The jazz drummers polymathic experimentation also spanned visual art, botany, and even an improvisational martial art he invented called Yara. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment - Kelly Erin Small Medusa Tattoo . Crypto All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. What does the Medusa symbolize? The labrys symbolism is found in Minoan, Thracian, Greek, and Byzantine religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. For women in ancient times, this motif had a specific function and was of great importance. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. 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. This will also encourage you to always keep to your words. In a more modern sense, her image can be used as a warning to keep others at a distance. The Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe Be careful of this. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. 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. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. How a Medusa Sculpture From a Decade Ago Became #MeToo Art From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. If you ever find yourself in Sicily, you will see the Trinacria being sold in all forms: magnets, key chains, pins, postcards and most stunning of all: ceramic Trinacria plaques that are hand-crafted by local artisans. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. Medusa was r*ped by Poseidon in Athena's temple and Athena was wrong for punishing her. 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.. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. 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. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. 7 Tattoos as Symbols of Protection - Self Tattoo Freud considered that as a result, she became the unapproachable woman who repels all sexual desire by carrying (symbolically) the genitals of the mother. 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. Athena holds her head and Hades her soul. Moreover, the Gorgon was also seen as a symbol of protection to ward off the evils and negativity of life. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. During my free time, I love reading and researching history. To ensure that you are protected from evil, try wearing medusa as a pendant or amulet. 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. Medusa Tattoos: The Ancient Greek Myth And Current Symbolism Luciano Garbati's sculpture "Medusa With the Head of Perseus" was unveiled Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. 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). 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. 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. severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. You can either pray to her or keep her image with you. 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. And rightly so. Beyond the curse she sustained, medusa is known for her deep wisdom and understanding of the world. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. The answer you seek might just be around the corner. 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). From the blood that . Can you now see the reason for her plight? Early accounts placed the Gorgons in a faraway place on the edge of night. Top 24 Ancient Protection Symbols and Their Meanings - Give Me History Unfortunately, the Goddess Athena didnt see it that way and punished her because she couldnt punish the God for his defilement. According to some myths, this was the real head of Medusa. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. Medusa in Ancient Greek Art | Essay - Home - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . However, she found a way to remain relevant. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. She is also known to ward off evil spirits from peoples environments. 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. If we go back to Greek antiquity, Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem. Athena's curse was not a punishment for Medusa, but a punishment for the gods and men who intended to harm her. 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. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it.