Some people tend to connect Medusas story with self-reflection and link Medusa to the darkest parts of ones soul. 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? Dangerous Beauty boldly mingles objects from across centuries in the compact exhibition. 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. Simi is a sophomore at American University and the events director for HerCampusAu. She helps females to attain their primes and become who they choose to be. 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. In a new show, Nicole Marroquins artworks are in dialogue with the documentary photographs of Mexican-born artist Diana Sols. Ideally, Medusa's face is so repulsive and terrifying that it will repel evil entities. You might have asked questions about the reason behind medusas plight. In ancient history, females pray to her for confidence and strength especially in a world where men treat females as weak and helpless. 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. The man was caught carrying Juanita in a food delivery backpack. Medusa has become an ubiquitous symbol of female empowerment and for good reason. 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. 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 embodies menstruation's protective powers. In 1976, Hlne Cixous, a noteworthy French feminist theorist, wrote an essay called The Laugh of the Medusa, in which she unpacks this myth. Snakes shed their skin regularly, which symbolizes the death of their previous self and grow into their new skins during their rebirth. The labrys was formerly a symbol of Greek fascism. Historically, the figure of Medusa has been used to ward off evil. She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Today it is sometimes used as a symbol of Hellenic Neopaganism. 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). She is currently studying CLEG and her pronouns are she/her/hers. This is why it is a sign of creativity to dream of yourself drawing medusas head. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. To the Egyptians, it was a symbol of protection and royal power. 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. Ultimately Freud and Ferencais conclusions are that women have anxieties because they do not have penises. It keeps your spiritual atmosphere thick enough to repel every negative force. One of the most complex drawings is medusa. 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. This should be a lesson to learn. 11 Spiritual Meanings, Medusa Spiritual Meaning: 11 Spiritual Messages, 10) Everything is turning out to your good. I remember finding out one day that the name Medusa means protectress, and it makes me wish that someone had been able to protect her. The Gorgon, Medusa, was a monster in Greek mythology but everything in Greek mythology always represented something in the real world. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. According to Ferenczi,1 the head of the Medusa is a terrible symbol of the female genital region displaced from below upwards. 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. No doubt to be the most commonly linked symbol of Medusa, the snake is a symbol of the Gorgon that represented many things. The 42nd edition of the fair showcases contemporary, modern, and 19th century images from 44 photography galleries. 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. She was also a ward of sorts for the Greeks to protect themselves against the negativity in life. And rightly so. 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. 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. She is the goddess of philosophy and blesses people with this wisdom. 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: . Venus was born from seafoam. However, the spiritual world can communicate different messages to you. They were described as being "winged With snakes for hair" and having a . 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. Medusa's head as a symbol of horror was classically worn upon her dress by the virgin goddess Athena. Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. All content found on Angelical Balance is for informational purposes only.Made with lots of love, hard work, and energy! Her representationthe Medusa Tattoohas long served as a symbol of protection from evil. Listed below are the top 11 most important Symbols of Female Strength: Table of Contents [ show] 1. Not only that, but Medusa is often used as a symbol of rage in feminism. This is another caution sign from medusa. 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). Upon witnessing this act the goddess Minerva turned Medusa into the snake hair monster with the cold-stone stare that we all know her as. Another reminder that Minerva/Athena is not your feminist queen. The Medusa tattoo features a snake-haired young woman, representing the might of women. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The inclusion of Medusa in the center implies the protection of the goddess Athena, who wore the Gorgon's likeness on her aegis, as said above. She was no longer depicted as a monster like it was written in the stories about her. But she forsook her vows to consummate the reciprocated love of Poseidon - God of the Sea. 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. 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. As a result, she symbolizes both death and rebirth. 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. It bears worth mentioning that Im very new to Hellenism, so Im a little confused as to how this all works. Medusa was a worshiper of Athena and a guardian of her temple. Phoenix Tattoos. It speaks about the ability to handle complex situations, and deal with hard tasks. Her petrifying gaze turns men into stone but only towards those who look at her hideous appearance. Before she was cursed for sleeping the Poseidon, medusa was a beautiful goddess and queen. Gaia Symbol of fertility, power, and creation. Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. 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. Which Hand to Wear Evil Eye Bracelet & Ring for Good Luck? Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty. The Gorgon's head (or the head of Medusa) is a symbol of terror, death and divine magical power, in Greek mythology. 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. Snakes were often connected to deception as well which reflected on the trust men put in women back in those days. People often come to secure their lives with some supernatural rituals and symbols when they do not feel secure with physical protection. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. In ancient Greece, women were usually accused of provoking men with their image or their personality and are usually blamed when anything happens to them. Your email address will not be published. Even after the curse was initiated, medusa still carries that energy for wisdom and deep understanding. You can keep medusas image with you to remind you of the danger of unfaithfulness. Modern feminism often uses Medusa as a symbol of their rage against the stigmatization of female sexuality. It also tells you to be confident in your physical looks. This talks about inner strength. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! Worth looking into it, if youre curious. Other shades of history claimed that Poseidon raped her because he could not resist her beauty. It is said that medusa was known for her innate wisdom, and many earlier scientists drew their great intellects and discoveries from her. She was regarded as the patron and protector of various cities across Greece, especially Athens, from which she gets her name. 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. The answer you seek might just be around the corner. 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". 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. 7 Spiritual Meanings of Slugs in the House: Is it Good Luck? She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. Just like movies like clash of the titans, she is a powerful spiritual entity that exists in ancient greek mythology. Medusa was one of three daughters born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. Medusa is a female character that is present in Greek mythology. 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). The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Protection symbols are the specific signs that people use to safeguard against evil and negative energies, especially to have a strong spiritual and ritual impression in mind. Installation view of Dangerous Beauty: Medusa in Classical Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (photo by the author for Hyperallergic), Terracotta pelike (jar) with Perseus beheading the sleeping Medusa, attributed to Polygnotos (Greek, 450440 BCE), terracotta, height: 18 13/16 inches, diameter: 13 1/2 inches (courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund, 1945), Madeleine Glennonin a 2017 essay on Medusa in Ancient Greek Artfor the Met notes thatClassical and Hellenistic images of Medusa are more human, but she retains a sense of the unknown through specific supernatural details such as wings and snakes. Open March 31 through April 2. Want more stories like this? 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. Thank you so much for the response! Renee Gladmans drawings convey that idea in a more visceral, less cerebral way. 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. Medusa is the only one who is mortal and that is why the hero Perseus is sent to slay her. Medusas snakes were said to represent the cycle of life, rebirth, and death. This prompted the curse she sustains till this moment. The god of the sea and of earthquakes, Poseidon had also some animals sacred to him. The mythological symbol of the head of the Medusa can be traced back to this devaluation and loathing, that is, the impression made . After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of womens rage. How Long Will Joe Goldbergs Rampage Be Left Unchecked? Whenever you see an image of medusa, or dream of her, it encourages you to embrace the feminine side of yourself. 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!