15 Oct Medusa, a symbol of power and protection
Medusa is one of the most recognizable pop culture and fashion icons!
Her powerful image of a woman with a full head of snake hair is unforgettable. Her power to turn a mortal (or a man, depending on the myth) into stone by a single glance has allured and inspired artists and even activists and social scientists for centuries!
But who was Medusa, and how did she end up a monster for Perseus to kill?
According to Ovid, Medusa originally was a beautiful young woman.
She had stunning golden hair, with perfect ringlets framing her beautiful face. Her features were in perfect symmetry, her lips red like the purest wine.
Medusa is said to have been coveted across the land. She had many suitors, but she wouldn’t choose one, all wanting her hand in marriage, won over by her rare beauty. So beautiful was she, that the god Poseidon also desired to have her.
But Medusa wouldn’t yield to any man. And, to Poseidon’s consternation, she wouldn’t give herself to him either.
Poseidon was angered, and his desire for her grew even more. But it was very hard to find Medusa on her own. She was always surrounded by her friends or family, and so it was impossible for him to make any kind of move.
But there came one day when Medusa went to Athena’s temple to give offerings. She was alone during that time, and that’s when Poseidon seized his chance. He accosted Medusa in Athena’s temple, once again asking for her affections.
When Medusa refused, Poseidon pinned her against Athena’s altar and had his way with her anyway.
Athena was enraged that a rape took place in her temple, but she couldn’t punish Poseidon for it. In her fit of anger, she carried out her revenge on Medusa, cursing her. Medusa immediately fell to the ground. Her beautiful flaxen hair fell off, and in its place horrible, venomous snakes grew, covering all her head. Her face didn’t lose its beauty, but instead of charm, it inspired terror in the hearts of mortals.
