What Does A Medusa Tattoo Represent?
If you’ve scrolled on your FYP in the last few months, you might have seen ambiguous TikToks that reference the meaning of the Medusa tattoo. “A lot of people didn’t realize the meaning of a Medusa tattoo. If you do, I am so sorry you went through this too.
- You are so strong,” said TikTok user @r;
- bree;
- xo, showing her inking of the Gorgon;
- Videos of people showing their Medusa tattoos on the app are racking up hundreds of thousands of views, as many hint towards a deeper meaning;
Most will know Medusa for her head of snakes instead of hair and the power to turn anyone who looks at her into stone. Many will also be familiar with her most famous tale from mythology—being beheaded by Perseus. After severing her head using a bronze shield to protect his eyes, Perseus used Medusa’s head to defeat his enemies in battle.
Medusa became a sign of monstrous evil, but her backstory is far different. According to the main variation of her tale, Medusa was once a beautiful young woman. It was that beauty that caught the attention of sea god Poseidon, who is said to have raped her in Athena’s sacred temple.
Athena in response turned Medusa into the figure we recognize, with her snake curls and deathly stare. In the widely believed variation, the power put onto Medusa was a curse from Athena, who was furious at the tainting of her sacred temple. Other iterations of the myth however recognize it as a blessing, a way for Medusa to protect herself after being assaulted by Poseidon.
- According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an “apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative,” representing a “dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil;
” In modern tales of Gorgon though, she is a symbol of female rage. She was even used in feminist theorist Hélène Cixous’s 1975 manifesto The Laugh of the Medusa. Similarly, the TikTok tattoos reference Medusa as a victim rather than a villain. She is seen as a symbol of power after sexual assault and combatting the culture of victim-blaming as a woman made into a monster for her own rape. 
Stock image of a Medusa head. Videos of people showing their Medusa tattoos on TikTok are racking up hundreds of thousands of views. Getty Images UPDATE 01/18/22 6:54 a. ET: This article was updated to include new videos and picture and to modify the headline..
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What does a Medusa tattoo meaning?
Medusa is a controversial character from the Greek mythology, but one that moves many. A medusa tattoo can be a protection from the evil, or a symbol of the victims. Some theories like to interpret Medusa as a symbol of female powerlessness, and the wrong doing done against her with the excuse of evil and strength.
- However, others see her as a protective symbol and ability to destroy one’s enemies given her ability to petrify and thus destroy those who dare to go against her;
- A medusa tattoo design usually consists of her head of snakes, and her stare;
Sometimes a beauty, sometimes a monster, she is a powerful yet a tragic figure. Medusa terrifies and awes at the same time. Is a Medusa tattoo a symbol of victims and injustice? Or a powerful symbol of protection against enemies? Let’s dive into the myth, interpretations and the amazing Medusa tattoo ideas we have for you.
Is it disrespectful to get a Medusa tattoo?
There should be nothing offensive about getting a Medusa tattoo. She is a female monster from Ancient Greek mythology but is also seen as a victim. It is believed that she was cursed by the goddess Athena and that anyone who met her gaze turned to stone.
What is the symbolic meaning of Medusa?
The most common interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative, much like the modern evil eye. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.
Is Medusa a symbol of protection?
Because Medusa’s head was placed on Athena’s shield and her blood was revealed to hold the power of both life and death, her head became a symbol of protection.
Is Medusa a symbol of feminism?
Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault Any kid born in the early 2000’s has likely heard of the Percy Jackson series. A modern take on ancient Greek mythology, it sent a whole generation into a mythology frenzy — inhaling books and pretending to be half-bloods, picking which gods they wanted as parents.
- True to most tellings, the series portrayed Medusa — an obstacle the main character had to battle — as a heartless wench collecting unlucky statues with incredible force;
- She was cold, calculated, and terrifying;
Now, the same generation has turned her into a feminist icon with a story too many can relate to; instead of being a symbol of fear, Medusa has become the symbol of justice for sexual assault victims.
What does a 3 butterfly tattoo mean?
Do Butterfly Tattoo Bring Good Luck? – Butterfly Tattoos are popular with both men and women. They symbolize transformation, rebirth, and freedom. The meaning behind the butterfly tattoo is that of good luck or fortune in some cultures while others believe it represents renewal after death.
What does a phoenix tattoo mean?
A phoenix symbolizes birth, death, and rebirth, as well as eternity, strength, and renewal. The whole idea that this mythical bird is reborn from the ashes of the flames of death signifies a journey through fire or adversity. It’s a great way to express a transformation or survival of a challenge.
How does Medusa relate to today?
Medusa in Modern Culture – In modern culture, Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis, who was a wife of Zeus. The snake-like head is a symbol of her cunning, a perversion of the matrifocal ancient goddess who the Greeks must destroy.
What does the story of Medusa teach us?
The Moral of the Story – The story of Perseus and Medusa is told to teach various life lessons. Perseus is cast out into the sea in a wooden chest with his unfaithful mother, yet they survive the rough seas by praying to Poseidon for the seas to be calm.
Once landing on the island of Serifos, Perseus grew into a strong man with noble character and great intelligence. As King Polydectes ordered the near-impossible task that Perseus bring him the head of Medusa, Perseus dedicated himself to fulfilling the demand to save his mother.
As the son of Zeus, Perseus had help from the gods during his journey to find Medusa. Perseus used these gifts to locate Medusa and behead her, but it was also his strength, courage, and intelligence that helped him succeed. His courage, strength, and intelligence was also the reason that Perseus saved Andromeda from the Cetus and returned home with her, slaying both Phineus and Polydectes with the head of Medusa by turning them into stone.
- The story of Perseus and Medusa is a story of perseverance, bravery, and dignity;
- Perseus personifies the length one would go to in order to save the ones you love;
- Perseus shows the authenticity of his character when he rescues the helpless Andromeda from the Cetus and the attachment to the rock;
The bravery and courage of Perseus are shown as he beheads Medusa, as well as his defeat of Phineus and Polydectes..
Is Medusa a metaphor?
The myth of Medusa and Perseus put a series of very interesting symbols into play. Medusa represents a woman cornered by the feminine power and Perseus is the symbol of a person who manages to overcome fear by projecting it in a mirror. 
For some people, the myth of Medusa and Perseus is a metaphor for horror and how it’s actually possible to save yourself from it through art. For others, on the other hand, it represents a feminine myth, in which mistreated women become monstrous. This image, without a doubt, terrifies and stuns anyone who stands before it. There are several versions of the myth of Medusa and Perseus. However, the most classic one tells that both had a tragic background.
- Medusa was one of the three gorgons, all daughters of Forces and Keto;
- Out of the three, Medusa was the most beautiful and also the only mortal one;
- Her beauty sparked admiration between gods and men;
- Some say that she captivated Poseidon so strongly that he raped her on the marble in the Athena tempo;
Athena, however, didn’t tolerate such desecration and, as a consequence, decided to turn Medusa into a horrible monster, just like her sisters. She gave her metal hands and sharp fangs. Suddenly, Medusa’s beautiful hair turned into snakes. In addition, she gave her eyes from which a terrible light came out. .
