Use this symbol to keep you safe on your travels as did ancient sailors who would paint it on the sides of their boats. Therefore, anytime you see this image around (during a confusing situation), it is a sign that you should pay close attention to. However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. Athena did not only curse Medusa but also her sisters. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. It appears on numerous objects of applied art, such as earrings, cameo rings, and medallion necklaces, etc. The present ptient is a female. More by Allison Meier. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Medusas story is that she was pregnant with Poseidons child when she was killed. 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). Anyone that believes in her will enjoy this protection continually. 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. How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? This is exactly why the story of Medusa continues to captivate us because she is a character that demands to be reimagined, she pushes back against the story that places Perseus at its center, who claims him to be blameless and heroic. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. Medusa is a female character that is present in Greek mythology. Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. You can keep medusas image with you to remind you of the danger of unfaithfulness. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. Medusa was r*ped by Poseidon in Athena's temple and Athena was wrong for punishing her. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Two solo photography exhibitions at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, expose the obscured, silenced, and unacknowledged histories of the slave trade. American Traditional Medusa Tattoos image of intoxication, petrifaction, and luring attractiveness. She has been used as an image of great learning and wisdom for years. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. Luciano Garbati's sculpture "Medusa With the Head of Perseus" was unveiled Tuesday in Lower Manhattan. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. A writer of all things gender, culture, and travel. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. 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). During my free time, I love reading and researching history. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. Medusa has 11 spiritual meanings, which we look at in this article. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. To become confident in your feminine gender, you should try keeping medusas image with you. 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. Moreover, the Gorgon was also seen as a symbol of protection to ward off the evils and negativity of life. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. 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 beginning of the cycle represents an opportunity to bring in new life while the later parts represent the end of life. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. That the only reason that Medusa is the way that she is is because of a curse that was placed on her. 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! She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. What does the Medusa symbolize? 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. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. This prompted the curse she sustains till this moment. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her. Romans were part of the Greek world, and yes a Gorgon head was an apotropaic symbol in the broader Greek world too. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. Whenever you see yourself drawing medusa in a dream, it means that the universe has blessed you with creativity. The phallocentric understanding of Medusa that attempts to claim her as an erotic object denies her of her full power of speech, thought, and importance. He then employs her head and its stony glare as a weapon, a tool he subsequently gives to the goddess Athena who wore it on her armor. 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. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. She went against her vow and married him. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. 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. Medusa is also seen as a symbol of freedom and liberation for women, as she was used as a symbol of French liberation during the French Revolution. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon - a creature with snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. In 1976, Hlne Cixous, a noteworthy French feminist theorist, wrote an essay called The Laugh of the Medusa, in which she unpacks this myth. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus to provide protection. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. the hair as a phallic symbol) is also a sexualization of the female head. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. One of the powers of medusa is protection. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. Thank you so much for the response! The symbol of her snakes is closely related to life itself as well as the cycle of rebirth. 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). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. 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. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. 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. these associations, Medusa is a purely sexual symbol that pertains to the sexual anxieties of women. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. Medusa's beautyand, in particular, her femininityremains as dangerous as her original monstrosity. Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. Dangerous Beauty boldly mingles objects from across centuries in the compact exhibition. Medusa remains the. Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? If she had not sworn an oath of celibacy, She might not suffer the grave consequences that befell her after Poseidon slept with her. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. 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 you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? As she became more and more attractive, Medusa's allure became a symbol of her power in the world, a might that was often distinctly feminine. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. 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. Additionally, the snakes in her hair can symbolize wisdom, healing, and . 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.

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