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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. Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, representing female strength and wisdom. In her 2017 book Women & Power: A Manifesto, classicist Mary Beard explores how the image of Medusa is used to skewer women in contemporary politics, from Angela Merkel to Hillary Clinton (with Trump as Perseus in a popular manifestation). However, the Greek evil eye talisman is believed to specifically protect against a malevolent glare - the "evil eye" - given to an unsuspecting person. I bought a Medusa pendant the minute Covid struck my area last March and have been wearing it since. One of the versions of Medusa has 3 different interpretations. I almost got a Medusa pendent myself but I just never ended up getting one. 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. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. She is the opposite of what Michael Foucault called, docile bodies. A concept in which women are expected to conform and submit to the enforced codes and structures of a patriarchal society. Athena brandished Medusa's head on her shield similarly to why Ancient Greek soldiers brandished Phobos's face on their shields: to insight fear. The archive, belonging to lawyer Linda Coffee, contains nearly 150 documents and letters related to the historic case. ), 7 Eye of Horus Spiritual Meanings: The Egyptian Third Eye. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgoneion. (image: Public Domain/Medusa by Caravaggio). The answer you seek might just be around the corner. 42. From Freuds telling, the entire story takes place through the perspective of the man in the story, reducing Medusa to something sub-human. Beyond the stories we have heard about this goddess, there are things to learn from her, which can be applied to our daily living. She has been used as an image of great learning and wisdom for years. link to 13 Frequently Asked Questions About Medusa. Here we discuss Medusa as a goddess, gorgon, and icon AND we teach you 8 ways to work with her fierce energy. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. Medusa slept with Poseidon in Athena's temple knowing the consequences, but did it anyways therefore Athena was right about punishing her. Be careful of this. People with great academic achievements are believed to be possessed with medusa. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. It was believed this would protect them on the journey into the next life. However, Poseidon fell in love with her and slept with her. Despite her origin story being one of purity and renowned beauty, Medusa has come to connote only malevolence and her role as a gorgon, or mythical monster. Save. As this article from the Atlantic puts it: "In Western culture, strong women have historically been imagined as threats requiring male conquest and control. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. In recent years, Medusa has been reformed into a tragic figure who was slut-shamed and victim blamed, simply because punishing a male god (Neptune/Poseidon) would have been considered unthinkable. Some believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. feelings originating in powerful oral impulses, and, for women, a means for resolving in fantasy the resentment arising from the lack of a penis. It wasnt until the Roman poet Ovid made her a more complex character than her original myth wrote her out to be. Allison C. Meier is a former staff writer for Hyperallergic. Many writers will tell you that writing is a physical activity. The moving image artist will discuss her investigative practice and the implications of digital image proliferation, taking place via livestream and in Philadelphia. Though there is much to say about the tragedy of Medusa's story, she became a formidable foe. She and Mars are Cupid's parents. [emailprotected]. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. "When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows." - Mason Cooley. 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 reason for this is that the origin of philosophy and science is traceable to her. 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. Simi is very passionate about talking about women of color in media, politics, and the arts. However, what people dont know is that medusas bracelet carries the same power. She went against her vow and married him. I know it has a name but I can't think of it. 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. In Greece, Medusa was often seen as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evils and negativity as well. Worth looking into it, if youre curious. There is an alluring nature to Medusa, as she is both siren and saint she is the complicated woman we all understand and fear. Medusa was once a powerful feminine symbol, with control over the natural cycle and in harmony with the worlds of earth and sky. The myths and stories about medusa are true. Meaning of Medusa Tattoo: 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. She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. Yes, Medusa is a protection symbol. Medusa is the perfect symbol of this". If women venture to claim control over their heads, then they become a threat to the phallic, male-dominated structure. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. The Hamsa is a talisman from the ancient Middle East. She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. 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 is revered for this power and grants wisdom to everyone that asks for it. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. As a result, women with Medusa Tattoos can show their fierce determination and may also reflect their unpredictable and impulsive nature. She was killed by Zeusbefore he fought his father and the Titans for power. Whenever you see a medusa sign, it is believed to have a close alliance with ancient wisdom and philosophy. 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. 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. She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. Before we talk about the different messages of medusa, let us discuss medusas symbolism. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. Then her severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story. There is a painful recognition in the fact that Medusas head the center of her knowledge and power is taken from her in order to empower a man and to fight his battles for him. The lotus flower is largely symbolic and has implied different concepts through history, such as purity, detachment, enlightenment, and spirituality. Originally born in Weirton West Virginia she spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA. 22. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. 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. 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. Her snakes are undoubtedly one of the better-known symbols in Greek mythology. 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. The Gorgon as a symbol of protection TW: Mention of r*pe. Therefore, if you notice a dwindle in your spiritual consciousness, seek help from medusa. From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. How might womens stories actually be centered around women? Furthermore, she is a goddess that helps young ladies to overcome a lack of confidence. 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. In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three monstrous sisters comprised of Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. To make this obvious, add a medusa pendant to your necklace. Meanwhile, a rotation of 1990s Versace fashions presents Medusa as a modern luxury logo. 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. Within this context, it seems as if both the male genitalia and female head are their respective centers of power. She has the divine ability to keep your mind sane as a female. This helps you to be more tender and caring towards other people. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. The complexity lies in how to represent her hair by art. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokmon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. This seems odd as she was originally a very beautiful mortal. Including floral details in the tattoo gives it a softer, more feminine finish. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Horus was the son of the goddess Isis. When Athena discovers that Posidon has raped Medusa, she chooses to blame her rather than him. Men are trash even in ancient greece, we been knew. Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. To prove her loyalty, she swore an oath of celibacy to be committed to the temple of Athena for the rest of her life. She is astute in the ways of protection and lends her guardianship to those who need her most. This message is meant to keep you alert at all times. Crypto 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). Medusa's visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage; one of the first publications to express this idea was a feminist journal called Women: . Several stories fly around concerning medusa, but we will attempt to extract messages from those stories. It takes a high level of creativity to achieve this feat. Born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, it is often forgotten that Medusa herself is a goddess of the sea. AirplaneMode - BONES. Therefore, seeing medusa might be telling you to embrace your inner beauty. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. It also speaks of the power to generate new ideas for accomplishing a given task. We dont have proof of this, but it was said that medusa was one of the 5 goddesses that advocated for feminine equality. Well Medusa's dead, she was the only mortal gorgons. 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). 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. In addition to this, seeing the image of medusa speaks of the intellectual ability of an artist to draw her perfectly. Angered by this, Athena placed a curse on her by turning her hair into snakes and making her gaze dangerous. Her decapitation is in direct result of male anxiety about maintaining power and control. However, it also became a symbol of protection and safety. 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.) 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. We dont have many of her temples around today, but she was once worshipped as a goddess in the past. When it comes to relationships, medusa is a lesson to learn. Therefore, seeing a medusa sign might speak about protection. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. 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. They were described as being "winged With snakes for hair" and having a . 1. Men back in the day didnt have the same level of respect for women as they do today because each gender had a different role in society. 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 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. Want more stories like this? Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. The 11 spiritual messages of the medusa goddess can help you understand more about your life and the virtues you carry. Overall, yes it is okay, and I think I wish to work with her, too. women in power (or fighting for power) have been compared to Medusa, from Marie Antoinette to the suffragettes. All three are originally described as having tusks, wings, and the infamously iconic snake hair. Evil Eye. The labrys was formerly a symbol of Greek fascism. About US | Privacy Policy | Contact Information | Pinterest | Web Stories. In some cases, Medusa was even considered to be a symbol of fertility. Small Medusa Tattoo . Well, let me tell you a secret. What medusa suffered is enough to make her insignificant in the world of spirituality. Indian artist Diptej Vernekar attached puppets of Hindu avatars to exercise equipment that anyone could activate and engage with. 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 was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. Zeus represented power, Hades represented fairness in death, but what did a mortal who turned into a monster, like Medusa, represent? It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. If you purchase something through our links, The Mary Sue may earn an affiliate commission., Have a tip we should know? No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. The Greeks loved to romanticize their culture in the form of Greek mythology and every character in it represented something about their culture. Venus was born from seafoam. It was said that she protected those who were at war and during the hunt. Open March 31 through April 2. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. She is the goddess of philosophy and blesses people with this wisdom. Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. People often come to secure their lives with some supernatural rituals and symbols when they do not feel secure with physical protection. Her beauty and wisdom were her confidence and she was respected in the greek world of gods. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. Silencing Powerful Women - The beheading of Medusa can be seen as symbolic of silencing powerful women who voice their sentiments.