9 Powerful Protection Symbols Explained - Welcome To Wicca Now AirplaneMode - BONES. The Beauty and Horror of Medusa, an Enduring Symbol of Women's Power (The Etruscans especially used to put her symbol on homes and temples to ward off evil spirits.) This is another caution sign from medusa. She went against her vow and married him. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Simi is a sophomore at American University and the events director for HerCampusAu. 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. 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. She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. I Need To Know What 'Very Bland' Opinion Got J.K. Rowling Kicked Out of a Harry Potter Forum, Disney Found a Way To Make Us Care About Peter Pan Again, 'The Mandalorian' Makes It Pretty Clear Where Gina Carano's Cara Dune Went, 'Quantumania' Writer Shares Painful Thoughts on All the Negative Reviews, 14 Dead By Daylight Characters We Want to See in the Dead by Daylight Movie, The Mary Sue Book Club, March 2023: Powerful Magic, Sensational Secrets, & Public Policy, Was Ellie Gay in The Last of Us Game? Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. 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. Medusa Greek Mythology Quotes. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? The gorgons have some interesting lore, well beyond what you see in pop culture. Beyond the curse she sustained, medusa is known for her deep wisdom and understanding of the world. 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. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. Some believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. 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.. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. In order to punish her, Athena curses Medusa by replacing her beautiful hair with a head of venomous snakes and making it so anyone who looks into her eyes will be turned to stone. 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. She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. 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. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. She is both feminine and monstrous. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. In the new and annotated edition of Metamorphoses (highly recommend), it becomes clear that in the eyes of the Romans, Minervas wrath against a rape victim is seen as just, same as with Atalantas rape punishment (getting turned into a lion). Instead of being seen as a monster, she is now depicted as a feminine Fatale. This was to ensure that no man will ever be able to look at her anymore. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. and rebirth and can be inked as a symbol of protection, warding off evil and keeping the wearer safe from harm. To this moment, her beautiful face remains even with the snake on her head. Open March 31 through April 2. Medusa | Myth & Story | Britannica Victim in Stone Benvenuto Cellini , Perseus with the Head of Medusa, 1545-1554, Florence. 9 Spiritual Meanings, 11 Ankh Spiritual Meanings: Egyptian Cross Symbol, Triangle Spiritual Meaning: 11 Symbolisms (Its Good or Bad? Medusa can be a symbol of female strength and safety for women. Save. How a Medusa Sculpture From a Decade Ago Became #MeToo Art For example, a sun and moon tattoo, which you can view as a coming together of opposites and a representation of two opposing forces. They represent female power Medusa tattoos are a great way to express your feminine power and independence. The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. Become a subscriber and support the site! The reason for medusas plight was her unfaithfulness to the vow she made. 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. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. 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. Passionate about spirituality, numerology and spiritual accounts. The tragedy of Medusa reflected how ancient Greece viewed women and their attitude towards them. 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. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Every situation you go through will turn around for your good. When she's not reading at one of D.C's many coffeeshops she can also be found taking pictures of the different monuments. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Among them, the most prominent was the horse, a symbol of valor and beauty since he himself fathered many horses, the best-known being the winged horse Pegasus by the Gorgon Medusa. The ability to be confident and proud of your gender stems from medusa. Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Because of the origin of medusa, she is an emblem of deep spirituality. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. wildfirepunch / Instagram. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. 21. Medusa is often seen as a strong and powerful woman, who has the ability to destroy her enemies. Black And Gray Tattoos. This extends to even monsters like Medusa which really showed us how the ancient Greeks viewed the things around them. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. Medusa Tattoos: What Do They Symbolize? (With Images) You only need to maintain a positive approach towards life and have a little faith. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? 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. 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). This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. This should be a lesson to learn. You can either pray to her or keep her image with you. 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. Best Greek Mythology Tattoos And Their Meanings. 30+ Scary medusa tattoos design ideas and placement tips This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. 1. Returning to those startling early images of Medusa, with her bared teeth and frightful snake hair, theres a narrative here on how transforming her into something benignly ornamental was another level of control. 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. The closest alternative to the evil eye bracelet is the medusas bracelet. 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.. Team Zutara forever. Therefore, the words you speak have consequences. However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. In myth Medusa was the granddaughter of the earth (Gaia) and the ocean (Oceanus), a beautiful mortal Gorgon maiden sworn to celibacy to fulfill her duties as an attendant to Athena. Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . 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. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. 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.. Medusa was a monster in Greek mythology but she represented some real-world problems for the Greeks and the rest of the world. From Freuds telling, the entire story takes place through the perspective of the man in the story, reducing Medusa to something sub-human. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. It speaks about the ability to handle complex situations, and deal with hard tasks. Greek mythology has long fascinated me, but Im also intrigued by how the stories have changed and developed over time, as have interpretations of those stories. Emailus. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. She calls women to write and express themselves fully. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. Other sacred animals to Poseidon were the . The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . Now, many are claiming that Medusa is not an evil figure, but a strong person who had to overcome enormous pain and trauma. In ancient Greek society, which was a male-centered society, the feminization of monsters served to demonize women. Medusa is, in other words, the ultimate femme fatale. The Medusa symbol might have a vary 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. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About 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. 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. The snake-like strands of hair also represent the cunning ability of snakes, which gives additional wisdom. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. This is a powerful combo to enjoy protection from the evil eye. 42. I know for a fact Romans wore this as an apotropaic symbol, to avert evil (sorry not as knowledgable about Greek practices yet) . She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. Your email address will not be published. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. 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. 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. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. The beginning of the cycle represents an opportunity to bring in new life while the later parts represent the end of life. It should help us to remain true to our words. The jazz drummers polymathic experimentation also spanned visual art, botany, and even an improvisational martial art he invented called Yara. 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). Thankfully, we have collectively realized that the person who deserves to have his head cut off is Neptune, and hopefully one day that revenge fiction will be brought to the big screen. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Medusa and Athena: Ancient Allies in Healing Women's Trauma by Laura Her power is also associated with protection, as she was often depicted as a guardian of the temple. 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. Can Brain Science Explain Why We Like Certain Artworks? Dangerous Beauty boldly mingles objects from across centuries in the compact exhibition. 22. 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. 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. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. While she may be known for her monstrosity, her beauty remains just as dangerous. 11 Important Symbols of Female Strength With Meanings Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. the mouth becoming the vagina) the woman, in essence, loses her voice, or rather she is denied of her voice. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. She has the divine ability to keep your mind sane as a female. Keeping an image of medusa in front of your door wards off evil spirits. Have a tip or story idea? Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus to provide protection. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. Her existence reflected on the behavior of men during ancient times in Greece and shows how much have we advanced since then. This helps you to be more tender and caring towards other people. Lotus Flower (Asia) Red lotus flower. Medusas snakes were said to represent the cycle of life, rebirth, and death. 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. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. If it's something you want, I don't see a problem with it. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good.