She was born far across the ocean from Greece; Later contributing authors to Medusa's myth placed her homeland as Libya. Some believed that Africa became the home to many varieties of snakes as Medusa wandered the continent and shed them from her hair. She was one of three sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons.
In Greek mythology, Medusa (/mɪˈdjuːzə, -sə/; Ancient Greek: Μέδουσα, romanized: Médousa, lit. 'guardian, protectress'), also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair.
Some suggest that the origins of the character Medusa may be rooted in the Egyptian Cobra Goddess Wadjet. Depicted as a snake-headed woman or a cobra she was associated with the land as matron and protector of Egypt; of kings and of women in childbirth.
The short answer is no, medusa was not real. For someone who has been depicted as a monster with poisonous snakes for hair, having the ability to turn men into stone, it may seem evident that Medusa was not a real historical figure.
Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful.
Yes, she was. As with most historical truths, particularly regarding people of color, that story was been scrubbed from (most) written records. The lady with the head full of snakes who turned men to stone, when they looked in her eyes…nah. The truth is she was a beautiful African woman with dreadlocks (snakes).
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.
She was one of the Gorgons: three sisters with human bodies, large wings, and hair made of living snakes. The other two Gorgons were named Stheno and Euryale, and their parents were the sea gods Ceto and Phorcys.
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.
In the original story, the Medusa was a beautiful woman who held a very positive role. Tragedy fell upon her when she was confronted with endless hardships brought upon by male actions. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods.
Discover. Meet Perseus, a demigod of Greek mythology who was famous for killing Medusa by cutting off her head, which he displays in one hand. Medusa had live, hissing snakes for hair, and anyone who looked at her face instantly turned to stone.
Medusa is portrayed in most tattoo art as a “symbol used to protect and defend against dangerous elements” and “to ward off evil with one evil image after another. But for others, her reptilian skin and hair may also symbolize the cycle of life.
She was the Afrikan serpent Goddess representing Female Wisdom and was called “the mother of all Gods, whom she bore before childbirth existed.” In typical treatment of maligning Afrikan tradition, European “classic myth” made Medusa into a monster; the terrible Gorgon whose look turned men to stone.
According to the Roman poet Ovid's version of the myth, Medusa, as a mortal had taken an oath of chastity, however Poseidon, lusting after her, forced himself upon her and raped her inside the temple of Athena.
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.
Medusa's Children · The Lament of the Gorgons
For Medusa was pregnant at the time of her death, and when Perseus severed her head, her two unborn children, Chrysaor and Pegasus, suddenly sprang from her neck.
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.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful woman named Medusa. She had ravishing locks and exquisite blue eyes, looks that didn't go unnoticed by many a male suitor. She was pursued by Poseidon for whom she had mutual affection.
Ari is a descendant of Medusa and can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess. Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back.
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.
While Medusa once had soft and supple white skin, it turned green. She lost all of her looks and found snakes growing in her hair.
The ancient Romans believed that red coral was the hardened blood of Medusa who died in the sea when Perseus killed her.
Before the curse that Athena placed on her, Medusa was exceptionally beautiful. She was one of the loyal priestesses of the temple of Athena. She even used to be considered the odd member of her family due to her looks, and gracefulness.
Overview. Medusa, the daughter of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, was the most feared of the Gorgons. It was said that anyone who looked directly at her was immediately turned to stone. Medusa was often depicted as a terrifying winged female with snakes instead of hair.