What does medusa mean
What does Medusa symbolize?
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. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.
Whats a Medusa tattoo mean?
Medusa is a controversial character from the Greek mythology, but one that moves many. A medusa tattoo can be a protection from the evil, or a symbol of the victims. Some theories like to interpret Medusa as a symbol of female powerlessness, and the wrong doing done against her with the excuse of evil and strength.
What is Medusa the god of?
Most recognizable for her locks of snakes, Medusa was the daughter of ancient chthonic deities of the sea.
Why did Medusa get cursed?
Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one. When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her.
How does Medusa relate to today?
In modern culture, Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis, who was a wife of Zeus. The snake-like head is a symbol of her cunning, a perversion of the matrifocal ancient goddess who the Greeks must destroy.
What did Medusa do wrong?
Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena’s temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.
Who was the ugliest god?
Hephaestus
Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.
What is Medusa nickname?
Basic Information
| Name | Medusa |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Medousa, Gorgon Medusa, Dussy, Medussssssa |
| Sex | Female |
| Current city | I refuse to release my current location. Some stupid hero might try to behead me (again). |
What was Medusa’s real name?
Euryale is from the ancient Greek “Ευρυαλη” meaning “broad, wide-stepping, wide threshing;” however her name may also mean “of the wide briny sea.” This would be an appropriate name since she is the daughter of ancient sea deities, Phorcys and Ceto.
Who was Medusa in love with?
Poseidon
Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty.
Is Medusa a victim or villain?
Throughout history, Medusa got the bad reputation as a scornful, evil woman who turns people into stone with a mere glance. However, much like most women of ancient mythology, she was a victim of patriarchal societal norms.
Who is Medusa’s husband?
Medusa followed the goddess for many years before she met and fell in love with Poseidon. The two decided to marry, which infuriated the goddess.
What are Medusa’s powers?
Medusa possesses prehensile hair, and she can not only control the growth and movement of it, but can maneuver each strand individually. Uncontrolled, her tougher-than-steel hair is naturally more than six feet long. She maintains this control even when the hair has been cut from her head.
Was Athena protecting Medusa?
Athena is a virgin goddess, one who was the patron of Medusa. When Poseidon raped Medusa, she called out to Athena for both forgiveness and guidance.
How Medusa became a monster?
Her beauty caught the eye of the sea god Poseidon, who proceeded to rape her in the sacred temple of Athena. Furious at the desecration of her temple, Athena transformed Medusa into a monster with the deadly capacity to turn whoever looked upon her face to stone.
Can Medusa turn females to stone?
There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone.
Was Athena jealous of Medusa?
What caught his attention most were the gorgeous, golden locks of hair Medusa had. Because Poseidon took such a liking to Medusa, he charmed her and swayed her off her feet. The two were caught having a love affair in Athena’s temple. Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious!
What happens if a woman looks at Medusa?
Upon the realization that the myths are nothing more than a facade, women endow themselves with personal power. Cixous explains that if women do this, if they dare to “look at the Medusa straight on,” female explorations will result in the discovery that the Medusa “is not deadly, she’s beautiful and she’s laughing.”
What is Medusa’s weakness?
Medusa’s Weakness is that Perseus was able to trick her and cut of her head. When Perseus cut of Medusa’s head she gave birth to Pegasus.
Why is Medusa a victim?
The Tale of Medusa tells us of The Gorgon with a head full of snakes, whom no man could ever gaze at without turning her into stone. In fact, killing her became one of mythology’s greatest quests when demigod Perseus beheaded her, using it as a weapon and giving it as a gift to the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena.
How is Medusa a feminist symbol?
The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism — including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. From a feminist perspective, Medusa’s story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of one’s power.
What happens if Medusa looks in a mirror?
It was looking directly into Medusa’s eyes that would turn a mortal to stone, not the whole of her face. Using the shield as a mirror meant that even if Medusa’s gaze fell upon Perseus, it would be at an angle.