
In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa was one of three Gorgon sisters - mortal, snake‑haired, and capable of turning onlookers to stone. She was slain by Perseus, who used her severed head as a shield against enemies .
But the narrative took a darker turn in Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Medusa is recast as a beautiful maiden transformed into a monster after being raped by Poseidon in Athena’s temple, with no punishment for the perpetrator, only for her . This version sparked modern reevaluations of her story.
From the 1970s onward, feminist thinkers like Hélène Cixous reclaimed Medusa - most prominently in her essay The Laugh of the Medusa - as an emblem of suppressed female rage and the power of self‑expression. Medusa has since become a potent cultural icon: symbols of female anger, resilience, and resistance against patriarchal narratives .
Artists from Sotheby’s catalogue to modern fashion (like Versace’s logo) have used her visage as an apotropaic symbol - intended to ward off evil - and as a statement of defiant femininity .
Once branded a cursed monster, Medusa today stands as a cultural icon of empowerment, challenging us to confront injustice and reframe stories told about women.
Tags:
Post a comment
The toughest vrat you’ll ever try: Nirjala Ekadashi today
- 06 Jun, 2025
- 2
Why Sawan 2025 is spiritually powerful - Don't miss these...
- 10 Jul, 2025
- 2
Avoid buying these 6 things on a Saturday to keep...
- 07 Jun, 2025
- 2
6,411 Pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath in third batch amid...
- 04 Jul, 2025
- 2
AI eyes, NSG snipers guard Puri's rath yatra amid terror...
- 25 Jun, 2025
- 2
Categories
Recent News
Daily Newsletter
Get all the top stories from Blogs to keep track.