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. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to. [emailprotected]. 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). She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. 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. 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. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. Ideally, Medusa's face is so repulsive and terrifying that it will repel evil entities. She is also seen as a protective figure, and her head is often used as a symbol of strength and power. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? The most common interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative, much like the modern evil eye. In ancient greek mythology, medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. Meanwhile, a rotation of 1990s Versace fashions presents Medusa as a modern luxury logo. 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. 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. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Medusa - whose name probably comes from the Ancient Greek word for "guardian" - was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. Our image of Medusa is one of pure evil, but in reality, she is raped and impregnated by her rapist. Before we talk about the different messages of medusa, let us discuss medusas symbolism. Team Zutara forever. It is believed that she became a goddess after the curse was pronounced. Seems a little ironic that a monster like Medusa would be used as a way to keep family protected against the evils of the world. But she forsook her vows to consummate the reciprocated love of Poseidon - God of the Sea. The present ptient is a female. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. Medusa represents feminine power. 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. 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? Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Dark tones enhance her hideous features and present the visage of Medusa as a frightening monster. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. She was a monster in her story but her symbols were often used for the good of mankind however ironic it is to hear. All of this points to one thing, which is Intellectual power. Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. Listed below are the top 11 most important Symbols of Female Strength: Table of Contents [ show] 1. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. People often turn into stone when faced with their own difficulties and inner demons. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. Press J to jump to the feed. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. I know for a fact Romans wore this as an apotropaic symbol, to avert evil (sorry not as knowledgable about Greek practices yet) . 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. 1. The labrys also appears in African religious symbolism and mythology (see Shango). Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. The closest alternative to the evil eye bracelet is the medusas bracelet. Pastimes include playing with words, using my passport, and eating croissants. It means that medusa can encourage men to embrace their feminine selves. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. There is an alluring nature to Medusa, as she is both siren and saint she is the complicated woman we all understand and fear. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. I do remember exactly, but as far as I remember, it was explained as she was born mortal, then died, and gave birth through this (the rebirth portion). She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. Can Brain Science Explain Why We Like Certain Artworks? If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with her. She is a woman who represents a conflicting view of femininity, one that is seemingly alluring but with a threatening or sinister underside. The femme fatale archetype has found permanence in our storytelling, and confirms to us that: to be both beautiful and fearsome to be a woman who has bodily autonomy and anger is not at all normative and that those women must be cast aside or have power taken from them. 20. pic.twitter.com/u61VAuxhJ8. Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. An. She swore an oath of commitment but did not stay true to it. What does a medusa symbolize? While she may be known for her monstrosity, her beauty remains just as dangerous. Nowadays Medusas can be seen as a symbol of revenge against the male gaze. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. The meaning of Medusa is powerful. This is another caution sign from medusa. The tattoo design is empowering for women and can also be seductive. (1) The history behind the association is unclear. The jazz drummers polymathic experimentation also spanned visual art, botany, and even an improvisational martial art he invented called Yara. Her energy can be channeled for spiritual activities like spells, rituals, and prayers. Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. 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. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. Simi is a sophomore at American University and the events director for HerCampusAu. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. She represented the sexuality of men and the ancient Greeks views towards women. Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. She was likened to the modern evil eye and people believed that they needed an image of evil to ward off other evils that could affect them. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. 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. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. 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. This will also encourage you to always keep to your words. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. 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. 59 Likes, TikTok video from Sasha Melendez (@sashamelendez15): ""Medusa and her story have been reclaimed as a symbol of strength and power, with her image also being used as a mark of protection against evils." #viral #medusa #saawareness #9thgenaccord". Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. This experimental and multidisciplinary solo exhibition in New York City exploring the sweetness of doing nothing closes on March 12. Medusa is a symbol of female power and a popular tattoo design that celebrates the womanhood of women. Worth looking into it, if youre curious. Jeenah Moon for The New York Times. Through these renditions of her visage, Medusa is painted into a half-human, half-animal monster. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. She is assuring you that God will fight your battles, and help you to become victorious over your enemies. In the Artemis temple of Corfu, Medusa is depicted in archaic form as a symbol of fertility with a belt of intertwined snakes on her body. Medusa can be given to you as a sign and message. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. Google any famous womans name, perhaps Angela Merkel, Nancy Pelosi, or Hillary Clinton along with the word Medusa. For centuries women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes.Its clear in our society the sexually and intellectually independent woman is a fearsome sight to behold.