Quickly and deftly, he snatched the eye from their grasp. Exceptions to this were the Fijian creator-god Ndengei, the dozen creator-gods of the Solomon Islands (each with different responsibilities), the Aztec Mother Goddess Coatlicue, and the Voodoo snake-spirits Damballa, Simbi and Petro. Others claim he threw the eye into the depths of Lake Tritonis. Medusa: The Definitive Guide to the Greek Myth (2022) - MythologySource Odin lost his eye upon visiting a Norse god named Mimir.Mimir was known as an extremely wise god, and he had also possessed a well called Mmisbrunnr.The waters in the well contained substantial wisdom and knowledge, and if someone drank from the well they would also gain wisdom. Saint George killing a maiden-devouring serpent or Saint Columba lecturing the Loch Ness Monster which then stopped eating humans and became shy of human visitors. She didnt even have to look at her victim it was their gaze that caused their death. Many depictions of Athena show the fearsome head of the Gorgon on her aegis. [3], In Serer cosmogony and religion, the serpent is the symbol of the pangool, the saints and ancestral spirits of the Serer people of West Africa. The Gorgons personified just one of the many dangers of the sea. The story of Perseus's defeat of the Gorgon is one of the most legendary in Greek mythology. Athena later helped the hero Perseus slay Medusa, giving him a shiny bronze shield that he used to watch the Gorgons reflection rather than looking directly at her. Worshippers bathe in and jump from the ledges into the pools as a way to honor them and ensure that they provide things like fertility of the land and its people, and protection from the poisons (wrath) of its bite. In ancient Slavic paganism a deity by the name of Veles presided over the underworld. But the Medusa is a unique symbol, something strong." - Donatella Versace. This myth, a later addition to the story of Atlas, explained the creation of the Atlas Mountain range in North Africa. Medusa is seen by some today as the first example of victim blaming. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Greek Mythology is known for its many fearsome beasts such Mantikhoras and Cyclopes. Hesiod claimed that the head mentioned in Homers works was that of only one Gorgon, Medusa. Norse mythology is the body of mythology of the North Germanic people stemming from Norse paganism and . Although men may have found her name synonymous with monotonousness, in Medusa women could find a reflection of their own fury. Norse mythology holds there to be nine realms. The story of Perseus seems to have already been known by the time Hesiod wrote in about 700 BC. The serpent plays an active role in Dogon religion and cosmogony. The Birth of Pegasus, by me : r/mythology - Reddit TOP 25 MEDUSA QUOTES | A-Z Quotes Magical Cap Of Invisibility Worn By Athena, Hades, Hermes, And Perseus In some accounts she is Odin's wife, making her foremost among the Aesir goddesses. Watch. Medusa is a woman with impenetrable scales and snakes for hair, and anyone who looks at her turns to stone - killing her should be an impossible feat. Putting the helmet on his head kept them from seeing him, so they flailed blindly in their rage. I guess this makes Pegasus, Chrysaor and Amphisbaena triplets, haha! The Mythology In God Of War Explained - Looper.com The religion went into decline around a thousand years ago when Christianity swept through the north of Europe. Horses and the Heavens - Archaeology Magazine They are stories about how the world was created and why certain things happen. Why is Medusa Important? - Myth Nerd Ever since Eves transgression in the Garden of Eden, snakes in Christian tradition have been associated with lies, evil and temptation. Italian fashion company Versace took a completely different view of Medusa when they made her their logo. Hymns and offerings were made to it since it was believed that the Goddess could manifest through the snake. snakes symbolized the umbilical cord, joining all humans to Mother Earth. Mythology medusa forearm piece Insta: @leigh . Such regional variations could explain why Hesiod wrote about three Gorgon sisters while Homer mentioned only a single monster. The death of Medusa had another immediate impact. She and her sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, were daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Keto. Also, in Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail (Ouroboros) symbolized the sea as the eternal ring which enclosed the world. In ancient Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl was the son of the fertility earth goddess, Cihuacoatl, and cloud serpent and hunting god, Maxicoat. The runic inscription reads: "Hrvisl and Farbjrn and Gunnbjrn". She is famed for her snake-like hair and her gaze, which turns those who look at her to stone. Top section of a runestone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age (793-1066 CE). The power of Medusas head was so potent that it could petrify even the largest and strongest of the Titans. Hesiods account of three Gorgon sisters, possibly a corruption of the three-part goddess archetype, became the more well-known version of an ancient story. He did the same to many citizens who supported his would-be stepfather, creating the rocky terrain of the island of Seriphos. Like many pretty young women in Greek legend, she attracted the attention of a god. From a monster to a passive victim, Medusa evolved into an example of the femme fatale archetype. Their other siblings included the monsters Echidna, Scylla, and Ladon. [2], The West African kingdom of Dahomey regarded snakes as immortal because they appeared to be reincarnated from themselves when they sloughed their skins. Fighting the Ethiopian king Phineus, Perseus used the head against his enemies. The most common type of flute in ancient Greece had two bodies, a reflection of the two surviving Gorgons. During the multi-day ritual, which is aimed at encouraging rainfall and fertility for the land, male dancers from the Snake Clan put live snakesranging from small garter snakes to rattlesnakesin their mouths and around their necks. From a vicious monster to a symbol of justified rage, the changing interpretations of Medusas nature reflect the changing morals and views of culture itself. The hero drew his sword, prepared to fight, but realized she was nothing more than a hollow wraith. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. The most famous story of Medusa is that of her death at the hands of the great hero Perseus. Medusas body was often shown as abnormally large and disproportionate. 15. Norse Mythology Thesis Odin, Thor, Freya, Loki, Frigg Do these names ring a bell to you? She frequently appears as a villain in comic foods, video games, and fantasy movies. Poseidon did not seduce or charm Medusa in the later myths. [22] It seems to have originally been the attendant of the Underworld god Ninazu,[22] but later became the attendant to the Hurrian storm-god Tishpak, as well as, later, Ninazu's son Ningishzida, the Babylonian national god Marduk, the scribal god Nabu, and the Assyrian national god Ashur.[22]. An actress plays the role of the White Snake in Baishe Zhuan (The Legend of White Snake) in a Chinese opera, 2000. The Gorgons Of Greek Mythology Medusa, Stheno, And Euryale The favorite daughter of Zeus. Athena also gave Heracles a bronze snake cut from Medusas head in a jar. While she always retains the power to petrify her enemies, now she scratches, poisons, and grapples as well. The Graeae represented sea foam, while the other children of Phorcys and Keto were monsters of the ocean. [27] Thousands of people gather around snake pools called Naga kuan that are said to lead to Nagaloka, the lavish underwater world of these snake deities or Nagas. Medusas last scream in death woke the sleeping Gorgons, and the two sisters chased after the man who had killed her. Snakes in mythology - Wikipedia As a virgin goddess, the act was particularly loathsome. The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon Her face took a more traditionally human appearance. By the time the Roman Empire was established, the face of Medusa was almost indistinguishable from that of any other woman. Perseus: Perseus was a demi-God in the Greek mythology who rescued Andromeda from a sea-monster. Paris was famous for for marrying Helen of Troy, which led to the Trojan War. One day, a witch and a wolf met and fell in love. The Story of Medusa in Greek Mythology Explained Why Kill Medusa? Dear Colleagues, Much of the Western world has a rising problem with white nationalists. The Gorgon was mentioned again in the Odyssey. Aapep would try to engulf the ship and the sky was drenched red at dawn and dusk with its blood as the Sun defeated it.[18]. He was sent on a quest to kill Medusa, and with help from the gods and his intelligence, courage, and strength, he successfully located and beheaded her by using his shield as a mirror and avoiding direct eye contact while battling her. Passing their eye back and forth, one could be watchful at all times. The head of Medusa was the single most frequently used symbol in ancient Greek art. It's about going all the way. As the next item in our list of mythical creatures, Medusa is another addition from Greek mythology. name was later used for the great serpents Poseidon, Medusa within her temple infuriated the goddess, Medusa as a former beauty afflicted by a terrible curse, characters in stories with direct links to Greek mythology. Mythology Part 3, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts The mythology of the Dogon's primordial ancestor Lebe, it based almost entirely on a serpent mythology. In North America, the Brule Sioux people told of three brothers transformed into rattlesnakes which permanently helped and guided their human relatives. Friday is named for her. The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology. 33 Medusa Quotes About The Greek Mythological Figure | Kidadl mythology - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help Early writers, for example, did not mention whether or not Medusa looked any different than her sisters. Perseus hid, waiting in the dark until two of the Graeae were passing the eye between each other. Perseus was the real bad guy. At the start of Ragnarok, the final battle that would end in the earths destruction, Jormungand left the sea and rolled across the land wreaking havoc. There are Many Norse and Greek Gods. medusa tattoo in 2023 | Greek mythology tattoos, Mythology tattoos Pegasus (Greek: , translit. Although Perseus is sent to kill her, her sisters cannot die so he instead has to avoid them. The story of Medusa from Greek mythology is perhaps less well known than Medusa herself. 100 Greek Mythology Baby Names (Gods & Goddesses) - MomJunction Homer, however, mentions only one Gorgon and does not give her name. It was said that anyone who looked directly at her was immediately turned to stone. "In a hymn to the goddess Mertseger, a workman on the Necropolis of Thebes relates how the goddess came to him in the form of a snake to heal his illness (Bunn1967:617). In Norse mythology, few stories are as dramatic as that of Jormungand, the powerful sea serpent. While Perseus beheaded Medusa, however, he still left two Gorgons alive. Athena offered to help the hero on his quest. In their traditional African religious belief, they say that the Serpent Lebe guided the Dogon people from Mand to the Bandiagara Escarpment (their current home) when they decided to migrate to flee Islamization and persecution. Delighted, she made another figure, and another and another, and each came to life in the same way. The Chimera's image remained consistent throughout the Greco-Roman era. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. 14 Best TV Shows About Greek Mythology - Screen Rant [21] Sea monsters lived in every ocean from the seven-headed crocodile-serpent Leviathan of Hebrew myth to the sea-god Koloowisi of the Zuni people of North America and the Greek monster Scylla with twelve snake-necks. St. Patrick depicted with a snake under his foot. She birthed 14 children, including a son named Strife. In Norse mythology, few stories are as dramatic as that of Jormungand, the . Greek writers never specified why only one Gorgon sister was mortal. Medusa began to look more like the woman she was described as in the texts. [23] Details vary among tribes, with many of the stories associating the mystical figure with water, rain, lightning and thunder. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. In the story, the snake convinces Eve to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which she then convinces Adam to do as well. 11. With the help of the gods, the hero was able to kill one of the most terrifying monsters in the world. In Korean mythology, the goddess Eobshin was the snake goddess of wealth, as snakes ate rats and mice that gnawed on the crops. The Hopi people told of a young man who ventured into the underworld and married a snake-princess. Athena also told him where to find further assistance. 16. Medusa Legendary Snake Haired Gorgon of Greek Mythology Kincaid. He does not recount the entire story, but instead mentions it as though most people were already familiar with the details of the myth. "He stared at Medusa and Medusa stared at him, and in this moment that made his dreams come true." - S.J. With so many great entries, even that limitation only made it slightly easier! Agamemnon has a similar shield that shows the image of the Gorgon to inspire fear and dread. Ragnarok is a major event in the legends of the Norse. Greek mythology, like the culture that created, often made little distinction between seduction and rape. Perseus made a deal with the monsters. But the Medusa is a unique symbol - something strong. Hod is a son of Odin. Norse mythology is a source of inspiration for many art enthusiasts, particularly when it comes to tattoos. As a result, God banishes Adam and Eve from the garden and curses the snake. Radicals saw the Gorgon herself as a type of revolutionary, taking power from the monstrousness that made her vulnerable. The snakes are painstakingly gathered and washed before the ceremony, which also involves members of the Antelope Clan. 13). Medusa was the only one of the three who could ever be killed. Like most mythical monsters, Medusa meets her end at the hands of a male hero. It was a helmet used by the goddess Athena, the gods Hermes and Hades , and the hero Perseus whenever they wanted or needed to become invisible. Gorgon Medusa. Stheno and Euryale, Medusas sisters, were immortal. Daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, Hel rules the realm of the dead in Norse mythology. Aegis - New World Encyclopedia Sarah Pruitt is a writer and editor based in seacoast New Hampshire. Though outsiders (notably Theodore Roosevelt) have been able to witness some aspects of the Snake Dance, much of the lengthy ceremony takes place in underground chambers called kivas, allowing its most sacred aspects to remain mysterious. Concept art: Medusa, Assassin's Creed. Top 10 Greek Mythology Movies by caspian1978 | created - 20 Jan 2014 | updated - 20 Jan 2014 | Public . The first humans of hers became high-class, but second ones became low-class. While the tradition of there being three Gorgon sisters was established early on, they and their abilities were not fully explained until much later. Phorcys and Keto were also the parents of three other monstrous sisters the Graeae. Medusa was often depicted as a terrifying winged female with snakes instead of hair. 12. While a few tellings say that Pegasus helped Perseus escape, most agree that the mythical horse would not be tamed until Bellerophon fought the Chimera. [22] This creature, known in Akkadian as the muuu, meaning "furious serpent", was used as a symbol for particular deities and also as a general protective emblem. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. French liberty was not heroic, but it was not content to resign itself to victim hood. In Nordic myth, evil was symbolized by the serpent (actually a dragon) Nidhogg (the 'Dread Biter') who coiled around one of the three roots of Yggdrasil the Tree of Life, and tried to choke or gnaw the life from it. Seeking a way to get her grown son out of the way, sent Perseus on a seemingly impossible quest. She is killed by the hero Perseus, who cuts off her head.To the Greeks, Medusa is the leader of an ancient, older matriarchal religion that had to be obliterated; in modern culture, she represents vital sensuality and a power that is threatening to males. Even a piece of Medusas head, like the one Heracles gave to Sterope, was enough to repel enemies and cause uneasiness even if it didnt have the power to petrify. It is used, for example, in the scientific names of many animals to reference some particularly unsightly species and, of course, some snakes. Odin Facts & Mythology about the Norse god of Creation and Wisdom Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. Even this was not the end of the story for Medusas head, however. All Rights Reserved. The practice was so widespread that it is seen on the famous mural that depicts Alexander the Greats battle against the Persians. With the help of the gods, the hero was able to kill one of the most terrifying monsters in the world. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology. Snakes were associated with wisdom in many mythologies, perhaps due to the appearance of pondering their actions as they prepare to strike, which was copied by medicine men in the build-up to prophecy in parts of West Africa. Since only one of the Gorgons plays a particularly important role in the story, it seems likely that the legend of the three sisters was an addition to the myth rather than the original version of the story. In popular culture, Medusa has retained the duality between a sympathetic female figure and a dangerous monster. The first was a strong bag in which to hold his trophy, the head of the Gorgon. [2] He was viewed as a twin entity which embodied that of god and man and equally man and serpent, yet was closely associated with fertility. As in modern . For instance, after slaying Medusa, he severs her head and carries it with him, using its gaze to petrify enemies. According to Hesiod, the Gorgon sisters made their home on the farthest side of the western sea. [5][6][7][8] Like their Serer counterparts, the Dogon people of Mali also have great reverence for the serpent. In the broadest terms myths are traditional stories about gods, kings, and heroes. The only difference between Medusa and a human, or even a goddess, was the snakes that crowned her head. Likewise, the Korean snake goddess Eobshin was portrayed as a black snake that had human ears. But Perseus was able to spite the king by killing Medusa while she was sleeping, thanks to some help from the gods. Blood of Zeus follows the coming of age of a man named Heron who, like most fabled Greek myth heroes, is an illegitimate love child of a . It was more rare for a victimised woman to be helped and avenged than it was for her to be punished. While Poseidon walked free, Medusa was villainized for the crime of attracting his attention. Both circles and spirals were seen as symbols of eternity. His first mission was to find and defeat the Graeae. She made humans one at a time with clay. Throughout many Greek myths, it reappeared. Nymphs who fled the gods were cursed or turned into trees and flowers. Medusa is one of the more unusual divine figures of ancient Greece mythology. The classical symbol of the Ouroboros depicts a snake in the act of eating its own tail. Of the many naga mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures, one particularly famous one was Mucalinda, a naga king who spread his great cobra hood to shelter the Buddha from a storm that arrived while the prophet was deep in meditation. American Gods (American Gods, #1) by. This symbol has many interpretations, one of which is the snake representing cyclical nature of life and death, life feeding on itself in the act of creation. She ended up mounting it on her shield, granting her the power to turn people to stone. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. The good guy sometimes doesnt win and innocent people are sometimes harmed. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Humanities | Special Issue : Greek Mythology & Modern Culture This ancient Chinese myth tells the story of a powerful female white snake demon who lives underwater but takes human form as Madame White, or Bai Suzhen. The god of the sea, like many of his peers, had frequent affairs with mortal women and minor goddesses. The Gorgons of Greek myth were snake-women (a common hybrid) whose gaze would turn flesh into stone, the most famous of them being Medusa. The winged stallion Pegasus is the offspring of the god Poseidon and the Gorgon Medusa, from whose neck he was born . The nymphs gladly lent Perseus the treasures Athena had sent him for. Later stories had them living in Libya, a favorite setting for myths taking place outside of the Greek world and its cultural influence. Medusa is remembered, more than anything else, for a face that was so hideous that one look at it would literally turn men to stone. So Minerva advised Perseus to only look at Medusa's reflection. The truth was somewhere between those and is still continually reinterpreted. His roles took the form of everything from bringer of morning winds and bright daylight for healthy crops, to a sea god capable of bringing on great floods. She invented the flute for this purpose. The Curse of Medusa From Greek Mythology - ThoughtCo [11][12][13], In the Sumerian culture snakes were also very important as a healing symbol. The connection to the French Revolution and a famous story of beheading is obvious, but Medusa had also begun to be portrayed more sympathetically. A demigod, the son of Zeus and Danae, Perseus is one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. According to some myths, Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgons, was originally a beautiful woman. She is the mother of Balder. While the Norse goddesses might be minor players in the Norse sagas, it is clear that they were an integral part of . Norse Gods vs Greek Gods: Similarities and Differences As a more sensual villain, Medusas snakes are, once again, linked to Biblical notions of sin and evil. They had in their possession other items belonging to the gods that would help Perseus survive an encounter with the monster and her sisters. When Perseus laid the head on a bed of seaweed, its magic caused the plants to harden. Egyptian myth has had several snake-gods, from the 'coiled one' Mehen who assisted Ra in fighting Aapep every day to the two-headed Nehebkau who guarded the underworld. Odin and the runes of power. The affairs and children of Zeus. Attic tradition, however, said that the Gorgons were created specifically to be enemies of the gods. The pointed tusks and extended tongue disappeared. But, here we are! Rivers and lakes often had snake-gods or snake-guardians including Untekhi the fearsome water-spirit of the Missouri River. There was a lot more to the Gorgon than just the snakes in her hair! The vast majority of stories about the gods in Norse mythology focus on the likes of king Odin, invincible Thor and trickster Loki. While her sisters Stheno and Euryale were immortals Medusa was a mortal being. A snake. Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three sisters, who was cursed by Athena and became a monster. More than ever before, the popular view of Medusa is a complex one. As the Celtic god of fire, he was worshiped primarily in Gaul and Britain. It was often placed at the entrance to buildings, either in a relief carving or a floor mosaic, to prevent malicious spirits from entering. The three gray-skinned sisters of the Gorgons were born with only one eye which they shared between them. While Medusa was the only one whose gaze petrified men, her sisters killed and mutilated many. The gis (Greek ), already attested in the Iliad, is the shield or buckler of Zeus, which according to Homer was fashioned for him by Hephaestus, furnished with golden tassels and bearing the Gorgoneion (the Gorgon Medusa's head) in the central boss. Medusa in Greek Mythology - Origin Story & Death - World History Edu Perseus allowed them to recreate a male form that fit classical notions of perfection. However, Zeus turned into a gold shower and got Danae pregnant. Ancient Greek Myth in Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Medusa, The Minotaur When Athena heard the cries of the Gorgons as they cried for their sister, she sought to emulate their mournful sounds. In these, Medusa is said to be the only one of the Gorgon sisters who is mortal. 14 Blood Of Zeus (2020) One of the latest additions to the pantheon of Greek mythology shows was Netflix's Blood of Zeus. [16] Nagas, "the demon cobra"[17] and naginis were human-headed snakes whose kings and queens who lived in jewel-encrusted underground or underwater paradises and who were perpetually at war with Garuda the Sun-bird. If you're a viking lover or you have studied Norse. [22] The horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) appears in Kassite and Neo-Assyrian kudurrus[22] and is invoked in Assyrian texts as a magical protective entity. The Yeti in D&D 5e. Medusa is seen by some today as the first example of victim blaming. From the eddic poem The Sayings of the High One ( Hvaml ), he is said to have hanged himself in a sacrificial ritual on a tree. She was beheaded by the hero Perseus, using the sword Harpe, who thereafter used her head as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield (the Aegis . Soldiers used Medusas head on their shields and armor, emulating the image of Athena, in an attempt to ward off death itself.