What do the Gorgons represent in ancient Greece?
In Ancient Greece a Gorgoneion (a stone head, engraving, or drawing of a Gorgon face, often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between her fangs) frequently was used as an apotropaic symbol and placed on doors, walls, floors, coins, shields, breastplates, and tombstones in the hopes of warding …
What does Medusa and the Gorgons symbolize?
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.
What were the Gorgons known for?
Gorgons In Greek mythology, three monsters named Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. They had gold wings, snakes for hair, and turned anyone who looked directly at them to stone. Perseus killed Medusa by using his shield as a mirror.
Why do Gorgons have snakes for hair?
In later myths (mainly in Ovid) Medusa was the only Gorgon to possess snake locks, because they were a punishment from Athena. Accordingly, Ovid relates that the once beautiful mortal was punished by Athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for hair for having been raped in Athena’s temple by Poseidon.
What happens if you look at a Gorgon?
If you looked into the eyes of a Gorgon, you turned to stone. Medusa was a Gorgon. FREE!
What powers do Gorgons have?
The most well-known ability of the Gorgon is their power to turn living beings into stone with but a glance. How this power works has been described in such ways as the Gorgon’s eyes meeting her victim’s or victims being so repulsed by the creature’s horrible visage that the life is literally frightened out of them.
Is a Medusa tattoo offensive?
The Medusa tattoo is not regarded as offensive as it has now been adopted as an emblem of power for sexual assault survivors. Medusa is recognized as a victim rather than a villain, which gives the inkings of her a poignant meaning.