If you want a tattoo that ancient mythology inspires, the tattoo of Medusa will be the best for you. Here, we will discuss Medusa’s designs and meanings.
Greek mythology inspires a lot of beautiful tattoo designs, which are very common among tattoo lovers. One such tattoo is the Medusa tattoo, and people love it for its symbolism and meaning.
- Who was Medusa in Greek mythology?
Medusa is a female character that is present in Greek mythology. She was one of the three Gorgons, or literally “the terrible ones.” She was the child of Ceto and Phorcys. Her face looked like a monster, and venomous snakes made up her hair. She turned anyone unlucky enough to stare directly at her face into stone. Perseus eventually beheaded her.
Medusa is a powerful emblem and an inspiration for a variety of art. She is present in books, movies, and even some video games. As a symbol, people still use her today as the emblem of the flag of Sicily. She is also present in the coat of arms of the Dohalice village in the Czech Republic.
According to legends, she lived and died on an island under the name Sarpedon, which is somewhere near Cisthene. The hero Perseus beheaded her, and after that, he used her head, which retained its capacity to turn the onlookers to stone, as a weapon. After that, he gave the head to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity, the image of the head of Medusa appears in the evil-averting device Gorgoneion.
The three Gorgons, Medusa, Euryale, and Stheno, were all children of the ancient marine deities Phorcys and his sister Ceto. They were chthonic monsters from an old world. They shared their genealogy with other sisters, the Graeae, as in Prometheus Bound of Aeschylus. Prometheus Bound places both trinities of sisters far off on the dreadful plain of Kisthene.
The two sisters of Medusa had the immortality gift while she died at the hands of the hero Perseus. Medusa was formerly a beautiful woman with flowing and shiny hair. Poseidon, who she enchanted, kidnapped her and possessed her in the temple of Athena, unleashing the tremendous goddess’ jealousy.
When Athena realized that Medusa lies in the sacred place, the Gorgon buried her face in shame. Then, he transformed her into a hideous creature with fiery eyes, a lolling tongue, and bestial fans. He replaced her hair with reptiles and cursed her for petrifying any woman or man that looks at her face. Medusa was never again able to love.
- Medusa tattoos, meaning, and symbolism.
Medusa tattoos are interesting inking that ancient mythology inspires. Basically, Medusa is the character in Greek mythology. She is the mythical creature and one of the three Gorgons. Symbolically, people saw her as a threat and a hideous monstrosity from which they were afraid.
In tattoo art, she is particularly colorful and generally looking directly back at the viewer as if to frighten him or her. Medusa tattoos are interesting tattoos, as ancient mythology inspires them.
These tattoos are visually striking and deeply symbolic. In the end, your tattoo will symbolize what you want it too.
Below, there are the most common meanings that you can apply to your Medusa tattoo:
- Magic;
- Evil;
- Feminine power;
- Personality;
- Lifecycle;
- Rebirth;
- Death;
- Envy;
- Freedom;
- Jealousy;
- Transformation, etc.
The snakes on her head represent the natural cycle of life. They actually symbolize death and rebirth. According to some sources, Medusa also had wings, which symbolize freedom.
- Medusa tattoo designs and variations.
The Medusa tattoo is one that you can tattoo in various styles. From realism to a new school, Medusa tattoo is a very popular and powerful Greek mythology tattoo. There are many popular characters to choose from.
Medusa is excellent for someone that looks to get a tattoo out of the norm. There are numerous different ways to portray her. In the legend, Medusa has a hideous face. That’s why some tattoo artists give her the monster’s face.
But, some choose to give her the face of an angel. So, if you are not into an evil face, you have various other options. Her face may be realistic-looking, or cartoon face, drawn in color or in black ink.
In a more modern sense, you can use her image as a warning to keep others at a distance. Dark tones will enhance her hideous features, and present the visage of Medusa as a frightening monster. The snakes around her head are usually represented as coiled and ready to strike. This emphasizes her power and strength. With this tattoo design, people often show power and strength.
Before everything, you should ensure that you take the needed time to view all the different designs that exist. This may help you and give you a general idea of what is available. Moreover, you can also pick up tips and ideas for your own Medusa tattoo design. You can even ask your artist for help.
