was medusa a symbol of protection for women

Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. It has the divine power to protect you from harm. You will see this in movies like clash of the titans. The word means "protect, rule over" with Medusa meaning "guardian" or "protectress." Perseverance Some will get tattoos of Medusa's severed head, or Perseus holding it, as a representation of perseverance. I know for a fact Romans wore this as an apotropaic symbol, to avert evil (sorry not as knowledgable about Greek practices yet) . When the God of the Sea, Poseidon, was mesmerized by her beauty and forced himself onto her, she was clearly the victim here. Become a subscriber and support the site! Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art, in a 2017 essay on Medusa in Ancient Greek Art, which you can also hear on the Mets site, From Ancient Egypt to Teotihuacn, Centuries-Old Palettes Illuminate the Role of the Painter, Tucked Away in LA For Decades, 2,000-Year-Old Roman Mosaic Returns to Italy, Manhattan DA to Seize Looted Hindu Artifact From Met Museum, Roe v. Wade Case Documents Fetch Over $600K at Auction, At the Outsider Art Fair, Passion Trumps Prestige, The Photography Show Presented by AIPAD Arrives in New York. Medusa as a symbol for women's empowerment. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. She is an advocate of the exaltation of femininity. However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. 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. However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. Protection Symbol #9 The Eye of Horus. It wasnt the most pleasant of behaviors but history does teach us its lessons and we should learn from them. If you also desire wisdom and deep understanding, keep a medusa bracelet with you and mediate on it constantly. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Lotus Flower (Asia) Red lotus flower. The earliest portrayals of Medusa show a grotesque part human, part animal creature with wings and boar-like tusks. pic.twitter.com/u61VAuxhJ8. Read the best quotes from Greek mythology about Medusa. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. 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. Medusa thread which will be full of debate on this. 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". Save. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. It looks particularly sexy on the back or thigh area, where the tattoo will draw attention to feminine body parts. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. From a feminist perspective, Medusas story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of ones power. Phoenix Tattoos. 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. 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). Thank you so much for the response! In Ovids story, Medusa is no longer the same monster that had tusks and wings. Originally from Oklahoma, she has been covering visual culture and overlooked history for print What does this mean? Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: Medusa, who is often evil herself in these tellings, is used as a figure to repel other evil forces. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. Freuds analysis of the Medusa myth is that she was decapitated because she represents castration anxiety through phallic symbolism. Stepping on a Crack Superstition and Meaning: Its a Bad Omen? 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. This reminded me of how her story, despite it being one where she gets decapitated, has been reclaimed as of late by feminist scholars. She argues that decapitation is not a symbol of castration anxiety, but rather a result of it. It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. Oftentimes, this message comes with the message of wisdom and spiritual understanding because they are intertwined. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. Now Medusa is now seen as a feminist icon as her ability to turn men into stone can be seen as a way to empower womxn; as Poet Percy Shelley writes about the snaked hair womxns powers as both being full of grace and terror. Dot-work Medusa tattoos might symbolize the connection to the religious part of Athena's story. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. The fair fosters a welcoming environment for all those with an appreciation for art, regardless of background or technical know-how. 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.. Many people have heard about Medusa and her tragic tale but not much is known about the Gorgon herself. 20. "When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows." - Mason Cooley. She is transformed from a seeing subject to merely seen object, a demeaned and faceless body. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. My name is Marlin Davis and I am passionate about history of all sorts. Medusa has 11 spiritual meanings, which we look at in this article. She is the goddess of philosophy and blesses people with this wisdom. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. The tattoo design is empowering for women and can also be seductive. Therefore, this secret behind medusa is the reason for many movies that portrayed her as a head full of snakes. It might come as a surprise but the name Medusa actually means to protect and this actually reflects in the mythology. This is especially true with the character of Medusa, because while the feminist reclaimed version is the one many of us have come to know, it wasnt always the way Medusa was written. 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 a more modern sense, her image can be used as a warning to keep others at a distance. Even though the curse took away her beauty, she remains an emblem of feminine confidence. In the myths, any mortal who set eyes upon it was immediately turned to stone. Lets go ! 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.) Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis . The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. Through the snake-like strands of medusas hair, the universe is warning you against the deception of your friends. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. 1. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. What does Medusa Represent? If men have Medusa in their dreams, according to Freud and Ferencai, it is the terrifying mother syndrome with a castration Just like any other figure in Greek mythology, Medusa had her own symbols that represented things in the culture of Greece. Pharaohs would often be entombed wearing Wadjet amulets, and it was intended to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil forces. From ancient greek mythology, medusa is a goddess of art. According to Freud, it is for this reason that Perseus must decapitate her. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. 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. Horse, dolphin, the Cretan bull. The Medusa head became a symbol of protection because it wards off invaders and turns anyone who gets top close into stone. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. Medusa embodies menstruation's protective powers. I was thinking of getting one for my home then I made a painted wood thing invoking Heracles for protection as mentioned in Greek Religion. She was one of the three Gorgons, or literally "the terrible ones.". Business, Economics, and Finance. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. She is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. In this version of the story, it is said that Medusa was in the temple of Minvera and that one day Neptune, the god of the sea, found her and sexually assaulted her. 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. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. Because Medusa refuses a fate of silence and subjectivity, Perseus is left with no option but to decapitate Medusa for wielding her power. You should never joke with what you say because forces are paying attention to every utterance of yours. 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.. This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. Now, the same generation has turned her into a feminist icon with a story too many can relate to; instead of being a symbol of fear, Medusa has become the symbol of justice for sexual assault victims. Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. American Traditional Medusa Tattoos 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). Therefore, seeing her should remind us of the power of faithfulness. Love this, I decided half an hour before seeing this post to get or make one myself, as an apotropaic symbol. Sculptors and painters would use the Medusa head as an apotropaic symbol to ward. Medusa remains of temporal importance because she is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authority. Moreover, the Gorgon was also seen as a symbol of protection to ward off the evils and negativity of life. She works with birth, death, and rebirth. Because of the origin of medusa, she is an emblem of deep spirituality. Including floral details in the tattoo gives it a softer, more feminine finish. This gorgeous black and gray tattoo is of Athena, the Greek Goddess. She was a beautiful goddess and was desired by many. This talks about inner strength. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. Evil Eye. 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. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. Your email address will not be published. Every situation you go through will turn around for your good. She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. 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. One such symbolisation is the famous Perseus myth. It should help us to remain true to our words. On funerary urns or armor, she was a talisman of protection, those eyes symbolically warding off evil. 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. The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling. 1. It wasnt until the Roman poet Ovid made her a more complex character than her original myth wrote her out to be. Therefore, the words you speak have consequences. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. In this version of the myth, Medusa is instead a beautiful womxn. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, lets begin with the narrative of her story. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? In a new show, Nicole Marroquins artworks are in dialogue with the documentary photographs of Mexican-born artist Diana Sols. Medusa was protective of her chastity and rejected Poseidons advances when the God tried to seduce her. Her expression is one of surprised, but unblinking, sorrow. The 42nd edition of the fair showcases contemporary, modern, and 19th century images from 44 photography galleries. Silencing Powerful Women - The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. The phoenix is an important symbol of life, death, and rebirth and is a popular image to get tattooed because of its incredible meaning. At this point, Medusas head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers. The tragedy of Medusa reflected how ancient Greece viewed women and their attitude towards them. Medusa was one of three daughters born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. Emailus. wildfirepunch / Instagram. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. 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. Through these renditions of her visage, Medusa is painted into a half-human, half-animal monster. Medusa can be given to you as a sign and message. You should be fine if you worry about attracting her attention. Medusa represents feminine power. Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. Thereby, to castrate a man is to severe his most vital organ; and to decapitate a woman is to take her most vital source of power. She is also seen as a protective figure, and her head is often used as a symbol of strength and power. Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. Open March 31 through April 2. 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. 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. While there have been myths about Medusa in the past, the most famous myth is her being the monster that Persuses had killed. Her story always starts in these objects when her power is possessed, her head severed and turned into a weapon, whether shes a damsel in distress or a monster.

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