was medusa a symbol of protection for women was medusa a symbol of protection for women

Evil Eye. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. In her book Put A Bag Over Her Head: Beheading Mythological Women, Wendy Doniger posits that if men fear castration of the penis, then women fear decapitation of the head; therefore the penis and the head become the locus of power within the man and woman respectively. Medusa, in effect, became the archetypal femme fatale: a conflation of femininity, erotic desire, violence, and death, writesKiki Karoglou, associate curator in the Mets Department of Greek and Roman Art and organizer of Dangerous Beauty, in an issue of theMets quarterly Bulletinon the show. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. There are numerous images of Medusa in an almost angel-like state, or even once she had been cursed, images where the snakes in her hair function as more of an accessory rather than something fearsome. Use this symbol to keep you safe on your travels as did ancient sailors who would paint it on the sides of their boats. This is another caution sign from medusa. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. She swore an oath of commitment but did not stay true to it. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. The Gorgon was also a representation of protection and had symbols. In addition to this, the medusa can help people regain their spiritual fervor and sensitivity. Business, Economics, and Finance. Although other greek mythology claimed that she was a priestess and one of the 3 monstrous gorgons, which are known as 3 winged females. She was also a powerful representation of facing ones inner demons and how self-reflection can make you into a better person. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. At this point, Medusas head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers. Nowadays Medusas can be seen as a symbol of revenge against the male gaze. When medusa was cursed, no god was there to help her or fight her battles. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. The Greeks loved to romanticize their culture in the form of Greek mythology and every character in it represented something about their culture. Athena is one of Poseidons sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. It means that she is a goddess that inspires people to be creative which brought forth the science of art. Therefore, to enhance your intellectual power, try keeping an image of medusa around you. 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. Feel free to correct me if Im wrong about anything! Sculptors and painters would use the Medusa head as an apotropaic symbol to ward. What medusa suffered is enough to make her insignificant in the world of spirituality. Still no matter her form or decapitation her gaze is never averted, looking directly at the viewer as an assertion of her horrifying power that cannot be completely subverted by beauty. The evil eye bracelet is great for protecting people from evil stares. However, seeing her in your dream changes the narrative. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here we discuss Medusa as a goddess, gorgon, and icon AND we teach you 8 ways to work with her fierce energy. Cixous disagrees with this analysis. The story has always been heavily discussed by classics scholars because of the very gendered image of Perseus cutting Medusas head off and the castration anxiety that became very popular around any type of chopping in psychoanalysis, especially after Sigmund Freuds Das Medusenhaupt (Medusas Head) was published in 1940 after his death. 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. Jeenah Moon for The New York Times. As an ancient protection symbol, the Medusa in this way also symbolizes aspects of the mother goddess, especially as a child of Gaia, the creator. When she's not reading at one of D.C's many coffeeshops she can also be found taking pictures of the different monuments. 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. Answered, One Piece Won a Different Award at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Than I Expected, and Im Delighted, Randall Parks Upcoming Film is Everything Ive Ever Wanted. Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. The name Medusa means 'sovereign female wisdom,' 'guardian / protrectress,' 'the one who knows' or 'the one who rules.' It derives from the same Indo-European root as the Sanskrit Medha and the Greek Metis, meaning 'wisdom' and 'intelligence.' (1) Metis, 'the clever one', is Athena's mother. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. 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. Small Medusa Tattoo . 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 and Mars are Cupid's parents. as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes. The curse was meant to punish medusa, but it eventually became leverage for other spiritual things. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. So basically, Im wondering which is the most accurate? She calls women to write and express themselves fully. About US | Privacy Policy | Contact Information | Pinterest | Web Stories. In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. The Classical period of Greek art from 480 to 323 BCE further associated beauty with danger when Medusa, the sirens, sphinxes, and Scylla all got a little hotter, losing some scales and wings as their bodies were more and more humanized. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. 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. While she may be known for her monstrosity, her beauty remains just as dangerous. She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. The symbol appeared on ships and pharaohs entombed in the pyramids wore an Eye of Horus amulet around their neck. This will also encourage you to always keep to your words. 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). Venus was born from seafoam. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. This should be a lesson to learn. The ability to understand science and ancient myths is also given by the goddess medusa. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. On a 570 BCE terracotta stand, Medusa is comically hideous, and fully bearded, sticking out her tongue between two tusks. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. Thank you so much for the response! 22. A writer of all things gender, culture, and travel. Open March 31 through April 2. 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.. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. It is also thought that the symbol brings its owner luck, happiness, good . She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. Now, many are claiming that Medusa is not an evil figure, but a strong person who had to overcome enormous pain and trauma. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. During my free time, I love reading and researching history. She has a stern stare that prevents evil people from glancing at you with their jealous stare. The reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. Different versions of a myth can grow in popularity, replacing others, and there ends up being no one singular original story. 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. Be careful of this. 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. Medusa was protective of her chastity and rejected Poseidons advances when the God tried to seduce her. Medusa Tattoo Designs 1. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. Although Athena had the power to prevent this, she chooses not to. 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. However, Poseidon fell in love with her and slept with her. American Traditional Medusa Tattoos 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. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. The symbol offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. An. What does a medusa symbolize? From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. 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. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. It means that we all can stay relevant even if all odds are against us. 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? This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. This began with the greeks and later flowed down to every other culture. Hence, Medusa's tale has served as a metaphor for power and bravery, particularly for women who have experienced s*xual harassment. 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. 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. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. This is why she has been made into many ceramics, golden, bronze, and silver sculptures unlike other goddesses. 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. For more often than not, shes depicted just as a severed head a visual that even has its own name,the Gorgoneion sculpted, painted, or carved being held aloft by her slayer Perseus. She was a monster in her story but her symbols were often used for the good of mankind however ironic it is to hear. This was what attracted Poseidon to her. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. In ancient Egyptian society, the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) was widely used as a symbol of protection, restoration, and royal power. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Medusa was trending on Twitter in June because of an incredible statue image of Medusa sitting on her throne in all her glory. It is also given to help you keep your secrets to yourself, thereby avoiding betrayal. We dont have many of her temples around today, but she was once worshipped as a goddess in the past. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. 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. . 1. Pastimes include playing with words, using my passport, and eating croissants. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil. In a more modern sense, her image can be used as a warning to keep others at a distance. a protection against . Many dont know this because Medusa is a monster but her name actually means to protect. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. is derived from a conviction that women lack a penis. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . 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). GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. She represented the beauty of the female gender and advocated for it. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. Another reminder that Minerva/Athena is not your feminist queen. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. 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. 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. Medusa Greek Mythology Quotes. In addition to this, seeing the image of medusa speaks of the intellectual ability of an artist to draw her perfectly. What does this mean? Hyperallergic is a forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today. Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. In other words, symbolic decapitation, is a symptom of the real dangers that women face in a culture that is anxious about the powers of masculinity. Cixous demonstrates these points by claiming Freud himself is reductive and neglects to address the female experience in the Medusa myth, thereby erasing her experience, or, symbolically decapitating her as well. To ensure that you are protected from evil, try wearing medusa as a pendant or amulet. This talks about inner strength. Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. Phoenix Tattoos. Your email address will not be published. Did the monstrous Gorgon bear any children that 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. 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. 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. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print 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 symbol I don't see a problem with it. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. In it, a nude Perseus proudly presents the dead Gorgons head in one hand, grasping some of the hair that writhes with a few subtle serpents. This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. If women venture to claim control over their heads, then they become a threat to the phallic, male-dominated structure. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. The myths and stories about medusa are true. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. By the fifth century BCE, that figure from Greek myth began to morph into an alluring seductress, shaped by the idealization of the body in Greek art. 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. 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. Well, let me tell you a secret. Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. What are your opinions on Medusa as a symbol of protection? 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. 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 consequence led to a lifetime of living beneath her powers. It also speaks of the power to generate new ideas for accomplishing a given task. 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.) Beauty, like monstrosity, enthralls, and female beauty in particular was perceived and, to a certain extent, is still perceived to be both enchanting and dangerous, or even fatal.. In 1950 his uncompleted essay, Medusas Head, was posthumously published. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. Even into the 19th century, as the romanticization continued, her eyes did not close. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. There have been all kinds of well-known feminist attempts over the last fifty years or more to reclaim Medusa for female power (Laugh with Medusa, as the title of one recent collection of essays almost put it) not to mention the use of her as the Versace logo but its made not a blind bit of difference to the way she has been used in attacks on female politicians, writes Beard. 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). If you have committed to accomplishing a task, stay true to it no matter what. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. The eye of Horus is an ancient symbol embued with magickal power and meaning. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. Through these renditions of her visage, Medusa is painted into a half-human, half-animal monster. Instead of being seen as a monster, she is now depicted as a feminine Fatale. Medusa is a female character that is present in Greek mythology. Her power is also associated with protection, as she was often depicted as a guardian of the temple. 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. Furthermore, she advocates for the respect of the feminine gender. Venus was a Roman goddess who symbolized sex, fertility, love, beauty, desire, and prosperity. 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. They were described as being "winged With snakes for hair" and having a . Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful. Throughout the essay she encourages women to come closer in relation to her sexuality, to her womanly being, giving her access to her native strength. She goes on to say that in doing so she will get back her goods, her pleasure, her organs, her immense bodily territories. Cixous continues on, saying that for too long women's bodies have been occupied and deemed guilty guilty of everything, guilty at every turn: for having desire, for not having any; for being frigid, for being too hot; for not being both at once, perhaps even from being both woman and angry. Medusa was r*ped by Poseidon in Athena's temple and Athena was wrong for punishing her. She is both feminine and monstrous. As this article from the Atlantic puts it: "In Western culture, strong women have historically been imagined as threats requiring male conquest and control. Image Courtesy: pixabay.com. According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an "apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative," representing a "dangerous threat meant to deter other. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. Cixous emphasizes the importance of the female voice, of womens story, she urges women to urgently learn to speak; because after all a woman without a body, dumb, blind, cant possibly be a good fighter. Herein, we see Medusas head, cut from her body, being held up by Perseus, she is reduced to being the servant of the militant male, his shadow. In what insidious ways are women made to be in a mans shadow? According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: Medusa was one of three daughters born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. The mythologically beheaded woman is seen (or at least partially seen) does not see; she is blinded and those who have beheaded her are blinded to her real nature. "In a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women," she said. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. She has the divine ability to keep your mind sane as a female. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! The answer you seek might just be around the corner. 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While there were some hints at Medusa once being a beautiful woman, that narrative didnt really get popular until the Roman poet Ovid wrote Metamorphoses, which contained 15 books and over 250 myths, including his version of the Medusa story.