In Chinese mythology, the woman-headed snake Nwa made the first humans. This awesome sketch art card of Medusa from Greek mythology is drawn by the very talented artist Jane Manalo for our Classic Mythology IV trading card set. Although Homer and Hesiod lived at roughly the same time, they were from different parts of the Greek world. Everywhere, from Lord of the Rings to The Elder Scrolls games, these creatures are deeply woven into our cultural fabric. In Greek mythology, Medusa (Ancient Greek: ), meaning "guardian", "protectress" was a Gorgon, a chthonic female monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Perseus was the child of Zeus and the human woman Danae. Horned Serpents were major components of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of North American prehistory. SHARES. Hymns and offerings were made to it since it was believed that the Goddess could manifest through the snake. 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. The Norns of Norse mythology, the Morrigan and Brigid in Ireland, and the Hindu Tridevi are examples of this motif. 15. 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. While she always retains the power to petrify her enemies, now she scratches, poisons, and grapples as well. Subsequently, a new world rises that is rejuvenated and fertile. Valhalla is depicted as a splendid palace, roofed with shields, where the warriors feast on the flesh of a boar slaughtered daily and made whole again each evening. 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. He, in turn, gave the jar to Sterope to protect her city from invasion. Two hundred soldiers were turned to stone, including at least one of his own men who accidentally looked at the artefact. Little is known of Chrysaor, as he did not play a major role in later myths, except that he was later the father of a giant with three heads. With the help of the gods, the hero was able to kill one of the most terrifying monsters in the world. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Others claim he threw the eye into the depths of Lake Tritonis. The cunning snake convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge, telling her that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When God learned of Adam and Eves transgression, he banished both of them from Eden and cursed the snake for its role, saying You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. Debate has long raged over whether the serpent in Genesis was a literal reptile, an allegory for sexual desire or temptation or even Satan himself. Her face took a more traditionally human appearance. Examples include they decided to migrate to flee Islamization and persecution, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snakes_in_mythology&oldid=1144534248, This page was last edited on 14 March 2023, at 07:17. It is more likely, however, that the legends of the Gorgons came from two separate traditions. While Medusa was the only one whose gaze petrified men, her sisters killed and mutilated many. The Medusa in Greek Mythology. In Egypt the snake has healing abilities. The Aztec underworld, Mictlan was protected by python-trees, a gigantic alligator and a snake, all of which spirits had to evade by physical ducking and weaving or cunning, before they could start the journey towards immortality. For instance, after slaying Medusa, he severs her head and carries it with him, using its gaze to petrify enemies. In this region, females are more numbered as the worshippers of Nagas, which most closely resemble religious ritual.[27]. In ancient Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl was the son of the fertility earth goddess, Cihuacoatl, and cloud serpent and hunting god, Maxicoat. Apollo and Artemis. Danae's father, Acrisius, King of Argos was told that he would be murdered by Danae's son. In another myth, the protector Vishnu slept on the coils of the world-serpent Shesha (or "Ananta the endless";). In mythology, the Medusa can petrify people with a look - which is a good thing, I think. The runic inscription reads: "Hrvisl and Farbjrn and Gunnbjrn". Early writers, for example, did not mention whether or not Medusa looked any different than her sisters. Greek cosmological myths tell of how Ophion the snake incubated the primordial egg from which all created things were born. It is believed that Nagaraja left his earthly life and took Samadhi but still resides in a chamber of the temple. She turned the young woman into a terrible monster. By the time of Ovid, she was one of the worlds great beauties. Medusa is a dimorphic character in the popular imagination; either a tragic feminist hero or a terrifying monstrous villain. Nor were the sisters ever described as fully as Medusa. Carved stones depicting a seven-headed cobra are commonly found near the sluices of the ancient irrigation tanks in Sri Lanka; these are believed to have been placed as guardians of the water. Nymphs who fled the gods were cursed or turned into trees and flowers. 125 Copy quote. Ragnarok is a major event in the legends of the Norse. In the state of Kerala, India, snake shrines occupy most households. Who were the Gorgon sisters and why did Perseus not kill them as well? The complicated nature of Medusas crime and punishment is something our culture still grapples with today. Greek myth held that people could acquire second hearing and second sight if their ears or eyes were licked by a snake. Zeuss lovers were harassed by his jealous wife. Many later versions of the myth claimed that she was once a beautiful maiden loved by . The Graeae represented sea foam, while the other children of Phorcys and Keto were monsters of the ocean. The hero drew his sword, prepared to fight, but realized she was nothing more than a hollow wraith. Medusa and her sisters, the Gorgons, were the children of the primordial gods Phorcys and Keto. (Lyons Press, 2017), which chronicles some of history's most famous disappearances. In these, Poseidon not only took Medusa by force, but did so in a temple of Athena. 14. The reborn gods meet once again, and Sunna, the daughter of Sol, now even outshines her mother. Some stories say that Perseus first used the Gorgons head while travelling back to his homeland. Fighting the Ethiopian king Phineus, Perseus used the head against his enemies. While the tale of her death at the hands of Perseus is one of the most famous moments in Greek mythology, it was not the end of Medusas story. And a fateful apple. The Horned Serpent appears in the mythologies of many Native Americans. She had many suitors and was especially known for her beautiful long hair. Also, in Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail symbolized the sea as the eternal ring which enclosed the world. Mythology medusa forearm piece Insta: @leigh . In Greek mythology, the Gorgon often refers specifically to Medusa. If you think you know the whole story of Medusa, think again heres everything you never knew about the mythical Gorgon. The earliest versions of the Gorgons connected them to sharp reefs and the storms that could drive ships onto them. The power of Medusas head was so potent that it could petrify even the largest and strongest of the Titans. When a person dies, the Serer believe that their soul must make its way to Jaaniiw (a place where good souls go). While the tradition of there being three Gorgon sisters was established early on, they and their abilities were not fully explained until much later. They wore snakes around their waists instead of normal belts. Dear Colleagues, Much of the Western world has a rising problem with white nationalists. When Heracles was sent there, all the souls of Hades fled from him. Although Perseus is sent to kill her, her sisters cannot die so he instead has to avoid them. But there is much more to the legend of Medusa than just her beheading, and her legacy is far more complicated than that of any other ancient monster. I guess this makes Pegasus, Chrysaor and Amphisbaena triplets, haha! We strive for accuracy and fairness. As in modern . But Norse mythology, with its compelling stories . Many myths date back to ancient times. Some later writers would say that Sthennos scream could kill a man, but this seems at odds with the story of Perseus and his escape from their lair. Belenus, also known as Belinos or Belenos, is one of the most important Celtic deities. the secrets of herself). Because of this, it has become a widely-recognized icon. Zeus: Zeus is one of the most popular Greek mythology baby boy names. Judeo-Christian belief had always seen snakes as part of mankinds fall from perfection and her serpentine hair made Medusa more recognizably evil than ever. Thor battling the Midgard Serpent. In the Iliad, Homer says that the head of the Gorgon is prominently displayed on Athenas aegis. In ancient Slavic paganism a deity by the name of Veles presided over the underworld. It is possible that the Gorgon, one of the most terrifying monsters of Greek mythology, was imagined by some to be an evil counterpart to a three-part goddess. From a monster to a passive victim, Medusa evolved into an example of the femme fatale archetype. And very often in mythology, as in life, the victim paid the price. There are Many Norse and Greek Gods. Medusa has survived in art as a popular motif in tattoo culture. While her sisters killed men with their fangs and claws, Medusas power was passive. The most famous story of Medusa is that of her death at the hands of the great hero Perseus. Medusa began to look more like the woman she was described as in the texts. The story makes more sense as an allegory: Snakes were a symbol of paganism, and Patrick was given credit for driving the pagans out and bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle. The snakes are painstakingly gathered and washed before the ceremony, which also involves members of the Antelope Clan. Concept art: Medusa, Assassin's Creed. Once a renowned beauty, Medusa was now so horrifying that any man who looked upon her would be turned to stone. As the next item in our list of mythical creatures, Medusa is another addition from Greek mythology. Paris was famous for for marrying Helen of Troy, which led to the Trojan War. An actress plays the role of the White Snake in Baishe Zhuan (The Legend of White Snake) in a Chinese opera, 2000. Medusas last scream in death woke the sleeping Gorgons, and the two sisters chased after the man who had killed her. The Pomo people told of a woman who married a rattlesnake-prince and gave birth to four snake-children who freely moved between the two worlds of their parents. He cut off Medusa's head and gave it to Minerva. In some myths, the Gorgons were the daughters of the primordial sea deities Phorkys and Keto, who were imagined as . Her features softened. Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images. Among the most prominent deities in Mesoamerican cultures, Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was a mix of bird and rattlesnake (coatl is the Nahuatl word for serpent). While some later writers claimed that Sthenno had a scream that was as deadly as Medusas gaze, this does not seem to fit the legend of how Perseus escaped by becoming invisible. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. In the Norse era, Kratos abandons his chained blades in favor of his late wife's Leviathan Axe, which was forged by the dwarves Sindri and Brok. Quickly and deftly, he snatched the eye from their grasp. In the broadest terms myths are traditional stories about gods, kings, and heroes. Her tryst with the god Poseidon in one of Athenas temples infuriated the virgin goddess, who turned Medusa into a Gorgon as punishment. Medusa is one of the spirits often said to lurk at the gates of the underworld, lifeless but unable to fully pass into the next realm. When Perseus ran from the surviving Gorgons, he took their sisters head with him as proof of his deeds. Even this was not the end of the story for Medusas head, however. Frigg is the Norse patron of marriage and motherhood, and the goddess of love and fertility. Jormungand, one of three children of the shape-shifting god Loki and the giantess Angrboda, was thrown into the sea by Odin, father of the powerful thunder god Thor. 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. After creating Medusa herself, the goddess seemed especially eager to aid the hero in the monsters destruction. The aegis (/ i d s / EE-jis; Ancient Greek: aigs), as stated in the Iliad, is a device carried by Athena and Zeus, variously interpreted as an animal skin or a shield and sometimes featuring the head of a Gorgon.There may be a connection with a deity named Aex or Aix, a daughter of Helios and a nurse of Zeus or alternatively a mistress of Zeus (Hyginus, Astronomica 2. It was more rare for a victimised woman to be helped and avenged than it was for her to be punished. The Chariot Hall or Royal Funerary Chariot Hall at the Wat Xieng Thong in the UNESCO world heritage town of Luang Prabang in Central Laos contains King Sisavang Vong's gilded, carved wooden funeral carriage, decorated with large Naga snakes at the front. Men handling poisonous rattlesnakes, one even holding a snake between his teeth, for the snake dance of the Native American Hopi tribe. As a virgin goddess, the act was particularly loathsome. The Aztec spirit of intelligence and the wind, Quetzalcoatl ("Plumed Serpent"). Athena used it to terrify her enemies and even a crude representation of it could strike fear into evil spirits and malicious beings. With the help of the gods, the hero was able to kill one of the most terrifying monsters in the world. 10. Irish culture is brimming with myths and legends, perhaps none so prevalent as that of St. Patrick, Irelands patron saint, banishing every last snake from the Emerald Isle. Around the globe, the serpent carries potent symbolism. Her large head and thick legs gave her a notably inhuman appearance that contrasted with the perfect forms of the gods and heroes. As the Roman world embraced Christianity and its texts, Medusas evil status was furthered. The Aztec god of wind and rain, as well as learning, agriculture and science, Quetzalcoatl was said to have played a key role in the worlds creation. birth to the two boys, Medusa's blood spilled onto the sands of Libya and a baby girl, Amphisbaena was born, during which Perseus was flying over the desert with the poor gorgon's head. But Perseus was able to spite the king by killing Medusa while she was sleeping, thanks to some help from the gods. In these roles, Medusa is more of an active monster than she ever was in Greek myths. Classic Mythology IV trading card set scheduled to release in early Summer 2023. However, in her case, the snakes leaned into her ears and whispered the secrets of the universe (i.e. It had the front of a lion, the torso of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. In Greek mythology, Chaos comes from the Greek word and Eris, the God of Chaos, was known among the other Greek gods for her short temper, moodiness, and bloodlust. Its hard for a modern reader to accept this version of events. 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. According to various sources, Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, so she was able to be beheaded by the Greek hero, Perseus. The myth of Medusa forces readers to confront an ugly truth the victim isnt always avenged. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Did Archaeologists Find the Minotaurs Labyrinth? The serpent plays an active role in Dogon religion and cosmogony. The image of the brave hero slaying the hideous beast endures in art, poetry, and song. Medusa - a woman cursed by Athena to become a snake woman , and people who . The earliest known record about the story of Medusa and the Gorgons can be found in Hesiod's Theogony.According to this ancient author, the three sisters, Sthenno, Euryale, and Medusa, were the children of Phorcys and Ceto and lived "beyond famed Oceanus at the world's edge hard by . Top section of a runestone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age (793-1066 CE). Snake-gods were more often portrayed as hybrids or shape-shifters; for example, North American snake-spirits could change between human and serpentine forms whilst keeping the characteristics of both. 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. The connection to the French Revolution and a famous story of beheading is obvious, but Medusa had also begun to be portrayed more sympathetically. The mythology of the Dogon's primordial ancestor Lebe, it based almost entirely on a serpent mythology. While Poseidon walked free, Medusa was villainized for the crime of attracting his attention. Friday is named for her. The Gorgons were the three sisters named Stheno (meaning Strength), Medusa (meaning Queen) and Euryale (meaning Wide-leaping), and were the children of Phorcys, son of Gaia. In this case Athena punished the sisters as well, although they had no involvement in the desecration of her temple. The Biblical story of the fall of man tells of how Adam and Eve were deceived into disobeying God by a snake (identified as Satan by both Paul and John in II Corinthians and Revelation, respectively). According to some myths, Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgons, was originally a beautiful woman. It was after the French Revolution that the Gorgon herself began to take on more heroic connotations. In Buddhism, naga were often depicted as protectors of Siddhrtha Gautama, the Buddha, and the dharma (Buddhist teachings), but they were also seen as powerful, and potentially dangerous when angered. According to Hesiod, the Gorgon sisters made their home on the farthest side of the western sea. But the Medusa is a unique symbol, something strong." - Donatella Versace. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. The god of the sea, like many of his peers, had frequent affairs with mortal women and minor goddesses. In some accounts she is Odin's wife, making her foremost among the Aesir goddesses. Perseus hid, waiting in the dark until two of the Graeae were passing the eye between each other. Before the soul can reach Jaaniiw in order to reincarnate (cii in Serer[4]), it must transform into a black snake. 36 42 (trans. Soldiers used Medusas head on their shields and armor, emulating the image of Athena, in an attempt to ward off death itself. The favorite daughter of Zeus. Artists of the Renaissance made the slaying of Medusa one of their favorite subjects in sculpture and painting. He was the God of thunder and the sky. 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. Early accounts placed the Gorgons in a faraway place on the edge of night. The Mannarasala Shri Nagaraja Temple is one of the main centers of worship. Gorgons, especially Medusa, have become a common image and symbol in Western culture since their origins in Greek mythology, appearing in art, literature, and elsewhere throughout history. Her powers are expanded in modern media. [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. The loops and curves of a snakes body have always been a favorite subject in art for this reason, and the figure of Medusa provided many of them for the artist to show off their skill. A woman. Norse mythology holds there to be nine realms. With their mortal sister gone, the other two Gorgons faded out of legend. Medusa. As Perseus used the sandals to fly over the sands of Libya, the droplets of blood that fell to the ground created enormous vipers. 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 Caravaggio, Medusa, 1595 Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. The story of Medusa and the power of facing your fears. The Mayan sky-goddess was a common attribute. Bragi-Apollo. There are also stories about Balder, Freyr and Heimdall.But just like the world of men, the realm of the gods was populated by both men and women. The Gorgons were sent far from the civilized world to make their lair in a dark cavern. In sculpture, mosaics, and painting, the Gorgon began to lose her more beastly attributes. Unlike Perseus, the protagonists in these stories actually have to fight her. She didnt even have to look at her victim it was their gaze that caused their death. The menacing face of the monster became a totem of protection. One day, a witch and a wolf met and fell in love. In an unusual and macabre turn of events, Medusas death was only the beginning of her adventures. Many Greek goddesses are not explicitly named as a single being in three parts, but are often interpreted within this archetype. Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating 882,061 ratings. He is like the Greek god Apollo because they are both gods of poetry, and worshiped by poets. Belenus is associated with the . She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. The blood that spilled from Medusas severed head gave birth to two children Chrysaor and Pegasus. These were the creations of Hesiods stories and the legend of Perseus. The winged stallion Pegasus is the offspring of the god Poseidon and the Gorgon Medusa, from whose neck he was born . The only difference between Medusa and a human, or even a goddess, was the snakes that crowned her head. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. To do this, Perseus received help from the gods. King Polydictes wished to marry Danae but Perseus, by then an adult, opposed the union of his mother and the untrustworthy king. Either way, the Graeae had shown him the way to the hidden garden of the Hesperides. Homer, however, mentions only one Gorgon and does not give her name. 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. In Egypt the snake has healing abilities. Outside a specifically Greek context the monsters are now seen as a universal type. Frigg is similar to Hera as the patron of marriage and motherhood. The anthropomorphic basis of many myth-systems meant snake-gods were rarely depicted solely as snakes. Ever since Eves transgression in the Garden of Eden, snakes in Christian tradition have been associated with lies, evil and temptation. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. But later depictions tell a much darker tale. Odin (Old Norse: inn) is the main god in Norse mythology.Described as an immensely wise, one-eyed old man, Odin has by far the most varied characteristics of any of the gods and is not only the deity to call upon when war was being prepared but is also the god of poetry, of the dead, of runes, and of magic.. The Hesperides, a sisterhood of nymphs, were guardians of a wondrous garden at the edge of the world. It was said that anyone who looked directly at her was immediately turned to stone. The gods often carried their lovers away or used deceit to get their way. Perseus and Medusa. In ancient Indian myth, the drought-serpent Ahi or Vritra swallowed the primordial ocean and did not release all created beings until Indra split the serpent's stomach with a thunderbolt. Tiresias gained a dual male-female nature and an insight into the supernatural world when he killed two snakes which were coupling in the woods. Medusa. In North America, the Brule Sioux people told of three brothers transformed into rattlesnakes which permanently helped and guided their human relatives. A huge battle occurs, along with a series of natural disasters that consume the world. Medusa in Greek Mythology. It tied the Macedonian kind directly to Greek heritage. A fascinating tale from Norse Mythology that demonstrates once more the desire of Odin to pursue all possible sources of . Today the word myth is often used to describe something that is not true. In fact, some writers did not seem to agree that there were three Gorgons at all. 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. Explore. 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. [22] A dragon-like creature with horns, the body and neck of a snake, the forelegs of a lion, and the hind-legs of a bird appears in Mesopotamian art from the Akkadian Period until the Hellenistic Period (323 BC31 BC). "He stared at Medusa and Medusa stared at him, and in this moment that made his dreams come true." - S.J. The first was a strong bag in which to hold his trophy, the head of the Gorgon. Kratos also acquires the wax wings of Icarus and the Golden Fleece. Depending on the source, Medusa has different origins. Like most mythical monsters, Medusa meets her end at the hands of a male hero. His actions were described as a forceful violation. Perseus could not look at Medusa or he would be turned to stone. Medusas head was still treated as a frightening object, even when it was shown as being almost entirely human. They tell how gods created men. Later writers would identify this as Libya, and in the Roman era Virgil said that it was at the gates of the Underworld. Family. Homer was from mainland Greece, possibly Ionia, while Hesiod was born in Lydia in Asia Minor. Despite her family connection to monsters, she fit the mould of many beautiful young human women in mythology. These were Medusa's sisters, who were dangerous monsters in their . It was just a trick so the king could get closer to Perseus' mother, Danae. The Great Goddess often had snakes as her familiarssometimes twining around her sacred staff, as in ancient Creteand they were worshipped as guardians of her mysteries of birth and regeneration. While Perseus beheaded Medusa, however, he still left two Gorgons alive. Hesiod claimed that the head mentioned in Homers works was that of only one Gorgon, Medusa. The story of Medusas punishment following her rape by Poseidon has a much different meaning in the modern world than it did in Greek times. Medusa in this telling was separated from her monstrous family members and lived a more human life. He locked up Danae in a bronze chamber. The practice was so widespread that it is seen on the famous mural that depicts Alexander the Greats battle against the Persians. [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. When Athena heard the cries of the Gorgons as they cried for their sister, she sought to emulate their mournful sounds. He waved his staff, driving all Irelands snakes into the sea. While Perseus beheaded Medusa, however, he still left two Gorgons alive. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. 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. In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is a Gorgon, one of three hideous sisters whose appearance turns men to stone. As art interpretation focused on the ways in which art represented the female body for the view of men, Medusas ability to punish men for looking at her became a powerful symbol. In some cultures, eels (which spend their early lives in freshwater before returning to the sea as adults) were regarded as magical creatures. They noted that in the myths there was never an instance of Medusa turning a woman to stone. Their union was unprecedented and was to shape the course of history forever. The pointed tusks and extended tongue disappeared. Appearance.
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