medusa in norse mythology

In this, the Gorgon was not only a symbol of protection. In some myths, the Gorgons were the daughters of the primordial sea deities Phorkys and Keto, who were imagined as . She birthed 14 children, including a son named Strife. 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. In Greek mythology, Medusa (Ancient Greek: ), meaning "guardian", "protectress" was a Gorgon, a chthonic female monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Medusa. The mythology of the Dogon's primordial ancestor Lebe, it based almost entirely on a serpent mythology. Homer, however, mentions only one Gorgon and does not give her name. The story of Perseus seems to have already been known by the time Hesiod wrote in about 700 BC. The practice was so widespread that it is seen on the famous mural that depicts Alexander the Greats battle against the Persians. Also, in Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail (Ouroboros) symbolized the sea as the eternal ring which enclosed the world. His first mission was to find and defeat the Graeae. Unlike Medusa, Sthenno and Euryale could not be killed. While the tradition of there being three Gorgon sisters was established early on, they and their abilities were not fully explained until much later. Some stories say that there was one more unnamed Gorgon who was older than the others. According to various sources, Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, so she was able to be beheaded by the Greek hero, Perseus. Only two humans and a few gods survive. Medusa and the Gorgons are used as characters in stories with direct links to Greek mythology, but also in general fantasy and horror settings. [11][12][13], In the Sumerian culture snakes were also very important as a healing symbol. 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. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. The vision of Medusa as a victim of tyranny continues today. The nymphs gladly lent Perseus the treasures Athena had sent him for. But in other cultures, as far-flung as ancient Greece and Egypt and indigenous North America, snakes symbolize fertility, rebirth, renewal and even immortality. From the Aztec god of wind, rain and creation to the semi-divine human-snake creatures that guarded the Buddha, here are nine snakes or serpents that have emerged, through history or myth, to play important roles in the cultures they represent. 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). These were Medusa's sisters, who were dangerous monsters in their . But, here we are! Their union was unprecedented and was to shape the course of history forever. During this transformation, the snake hides in a tree. King Polydictes wished to marry Danae but Perseus, by then an adult, opposed the union of his mother and the untrustworthy king. Despite reinterpretation by feminists and revolutionaries, Medusas name retains its connotations of monotonousness and deformity. Still portrayed as a human woman, albeit with an increasingly thick nest of snakes on her hair, Medusa became a symbol of the Jacobin faction. As the next item in our list of mythical creatures, Medusa is another addition from Greek mythology. Even in the stories that came before descriptions of her beauty, Medusas tale was bound to the god Poseidon. 13). In the Old Testament Book of Genesis, a serpent memorably appears in the Garden of Eden, the earthly paradise God created for the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. The Gorgons are mentioned in some of the earliest works of Greek literature. A huge battle occurs, along with a series of natural disasters that consume the world. While her sisters Stheno and Euryale were immortals Medusa was a mortal being. Their other siblings included the monsters Echidna, Scylla, and Ladon. They drink liquor that flows from the udders of a goat, and their sport is to fight one . Athena used it to terrify her enemies and even a crude representation of it could strike fear into evil spirits and malicious beings. 21st century morals would see Medusa as a victim who was deserving of sympathy instead of punishment. From the eddic poem The Sayings of the High One ( Hvaml ), he is said to have hanged himself in a sacrificial ritual on a tree. 10. Top 10 Greek Mythology Movies by caspian1978 | created - 20 Jan 2014 | updated - 20 Jan 2014 | Public . 11. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), DEA / C. BALOSSINI / Contributor / Getty Images, Godong/Universal Images Group/Getty Images, Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images, Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty Images, Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images, protectors of Siddhrtha Gautama, the Buddha, various versions of the Legend of the White Snake, https://www.history.com/news/snake-symbol-history-mythology, 9 Powerful Snakes from History and Mythology. 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 stared at Medusa and Medusa stared at him, and in this moment that made his dreams come true." - S.J. Using the winged sandals, he was able to speed out of the cavern and avoid the angry monsters. Homer was from mainland Greece, possibly Ionia, while Hesiod was born in Lydia in Asia Minor. Egyptian myth has had several snake-gods, from the 'coiled one' Mehen who assisted Ra in fighting Aapep every day to the two-headed Nehebkau who guarded the underworld. The blood could be used to destroy or restore and enabled him to bring people back from the dead. (Lyons Press, 2017), which chronicles some of history's most famous disappearances. The most common type of flute in ancient Greece had two bodies, a reflection of the two surviving Gorgons. Unfortunately, as was often the case in the ancient world, the victim bore the brunt of the punishment. 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. Outstanding Greek Mythology Essay Topics. Despite her family connection to monsters, she fit the mould of many beautiful young human women in mythology. As the story goes, St. Patrick, a fifth-century Christian missionary, was fasting for 40 days atop a hill when he was attacked by snakes. In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is a Gorgon, one of three hideous sisters whose appearance turns men to stone. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. The first humans of hers became high-class, but second ones became low-class. Medusas spirit stayed and faced him down. Perseus used the same stealth he had practiced with the Graeae to sneak close. In an unusual and macabre turn of events, Medusas death was only the beginning of her adventures. 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. Others claim he threw the eye into the depths of Lake Tritonis. While her sisters killed men with their fangs and claws, Medusas power was passive. Medusa is a dimorphic character in the popular imagination; either a tragic feminist hero or a terrifying monstrous villain. It is believed that Nagaraja left his earthly life and took Samadhi but still resides in a chamber of the temple. Jormungand, the Viking sea serpent. A man. In Greek mythology, the Gorgon often refers specifically to Medusa. Some say he honored the agreement and left the watchful Graeae in peace. In another myth, the protector Vishnu slept on the coils of the world-serpent Shesha (or "Ananta the endless";). In these roles, Medusa is more of an active monster than she ever was in Greek myths. Combining two traditionally popular images, that of a beautiful womans face and that of coiling snakes, she is chosen to represent both her modern power and her ancient demonism. His roles took the form of everything from bringer of morning winds and bright daylight for healthy crops, to a sea god capable of bringing on great floods. They were associated with rocks, which when hidden below the surface of the water spelled disaster for ships passing by. For thousands of years, members of the Hopi Native American tribe of northern Arizona have performed the ritual known as the Snake Dance. But the Medusa is a unique symbol - something strong. Concept art: Medusa, Assassin's Creed. WATCH: Full episodes of 'Swamp People: Serpent Invasion' online. Fahai later kidnaps Xu, and traps Bai under his lakeside pagodabut not before she gives birth to her son with Xu, who will eventually free his mother. During the dance, live snakes were handled and at the end of the dance the snakes were released into the fields to guarantee good crops. The reborn gods meet once again, and Sunna, the daughter of Sol, now even outshines her mother. 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. Perseus was the real bad guy. From Prometheus to the garden of Eden - the price of knowledge. The first was a strong bag in which to hold his trophy, the head of the Gorgon. Athena gave some of the Gorgons blood to the legendary surgeon Aesclepius. As Perseus used the sandals to fly over the sands of Libya, the droplets of blood that fell to the ground created enormous vipers. Dear Colleagues, Much of the Western world has a rising problem with white nationalists. Artists of the Renaissance made the slaying of Medusa one of their favorite subjects in sculpture and painting. The vast majority of stories about the gods in Norse mythology focus on the likes of king Odin, invincible Thor and trickster Loki. Medusa is the most famous Gorgon in Greek mythology, but did you know she was not alone? 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 . Medusa did nothing wrong. Once a renowned beauty, Medusa was now so horrifying that any man who looked upon her would be turned to stone. She didnt even have to look at her victim it was their gaze that caused their death. As a virgin goddess, the act was particularly loathsome. In Greek mythology, Pegasus is primarily known for one tale which sees the winged horse used by the hero Bellerophon. In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the Gorgons. The Medusa in Greek Mythology. The ouroboros, the ancient symbol of eternity that was famously depicted on King Tuts tomb in the 14th century B.C., is a serpent devouring its own tail. 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. From Odin's mighty horse to a world-circling serpent, Norse Mythology has a cacophony of crazy creatures! 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. Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating 882,061 ratings. Perseus allowed them to recreate a male form that fit classical notions of perfection. As shown in the images there are images of the sky serpent with its tail in its mouth, it is believed to be a reverence to the sun, for which Quetzalcoatl was also closely linked. According to him, as the only mortal Gorgon, Medusa was also the only one not born a monster. Gaia, Rhea, and Demeter, for example, are often seen as three closely-bound earth goddesses. In the case of Norse mythology, the pantheon of major gods consists of no less than ten deities of noteworthy stature. The story of Perseus's defeat of the Gorgon is one of the most legendary in Greek mythology. Putting the helmet on his head kept them from seeing him, so they flailed blindly in their rage. The underworld was part of a mythical world tree. Exceptions to this were the Fijian creator-god Ndengei, the dozen creator-gods of the Solomon Islands (each with different responsibilities), the Aztec Mother Goddess Coatlicue, and the Voodoo snake-spirits Damballa, Simbi and Petro. Blood of Zeus follows the coming of age of a man named Heron who, like most fabled Greek myth heroes, is an illegitimate love child of a . She loved carnage and chilling with her brother, God of War, Ares. 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. Medusa - a woman cursed by Athena to become a snake woman , and people who . The idea of snake-people living below the Earth was prominent in American myth. They are stories about how the world was created and why certain things happen. In some accounts she is Odin's wife, making her foremost among the Aesir goddesses. As in modern . One day, a witch and a wolf met and fell in love. 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. Fighting the Ethiopian king Phineus, Perseus used the head against his enemies. The cloak of invisibility that belonged to Hades allowed him to escape the lair of the Gorgon sisters without being seen after he killed Medusa. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? They also shared a single tooth, taking turns to eat their meals. Medusa and her sisters, the Gorgons, were the children of the primordial gods Phorcys and Keto. 36 42 (trans. He waved his staff, driving all Irelands snakes into the sea. It was often placed at the entrance to buildings, either in a relief carving or a floor mosaic, to prevent malicious spirits from entering. There are various versions of the Legend of the White Snake, which has evolved over the centuries from a horror story, in which Fahai heroically battles the evil snake demon, to a romance, focusing on the thwarted but genuine love between Xu and Bai. [22] It seems to have originally been the attendant of the Underworld god Ninazu,[22] but later became the attendant to the Hurrian storm-god Tishpak, as well as, later, Ninazu's son Ningishzida, the Babylonian national god Marduk, the scribal god Nabu, and the Assyrian national god Ashur.[22]. Medusa is remembered, more than anything else, for a face that was so hideous that one look at it would literally turn men to stone. 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. Delighted, she made another figure, and another and another, and each came to life in the same way. The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology. Also, in Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail symbolized the sea as the eternal ring which enclosed the world. Director: Desmond Davis | Stars: Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Claire Bloom, Maggie Smith. While the early Greeks depicted Medusa as truly monstrous, later artists began to change this image. Snakes were called upon by the creator of Kerala, Parasurama, to make the saline land fertile. This symbol has many interpretations, one of which is the snake representing cyclical nature of life and death, life feeding on itself in the act of creation. These were: Muspelheim, the realm of the fire giants. Medusa began to look more like the woman she was described as in the texts. 125 Copy quote. 16. While Poseidon walked free, Medusa was villainized for the crime of attracting his attention. Watch. In A Tale of Two Cities , for example, Charles Dickens compares the exploitative French aristocracy to "the Gorgon" even devoting an entire chapter to . Soldiers used Medusas head on their shields and armor, emulating the image of Athena, in an attempt to ward off death itself. Medusas head was still treated as a frightening object, even when it was shown as being almost entirely human. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! She has been a frequent contributor to History.com since 2005, and is the author of Breaking History: Vanished! The serpent grew until his body encircled all of Midgard (or Earth), and he was able to grasp his own tail in his mouth. The head of Medusa was the single most frequently used symbol in ancient Greek art. Either way, the Graeae had shown him the way to the hidden garden of the Hesperides. If you're a viking lover or you have studied Norse. Pegasus (Greek: , translit. Likewise, the Korean snake goddess Eobshin was portrayed as a black snake that had human ears. Medusas head, the gorgoneion, appeared constantly in Greek art. It was created by Gaia and killed by Zeus. Norse mythology - including the stories of Odin, Thor and Loki - was the basis of the religion of the Viking warriors that plundered Europe from the 8 th to the 11 th centuries. The subject of Perseuss quest, she is one of the most iconic monsters in Greek lore. Both circles and spirals were seen as symbols of eternity. The Horned Serpent appears in the mythologies of many Native Americans. In fact, some writers did not seem to agree that there were three Gorgons at all. Many depictions of Athena show the fearsome head of the Gorgon on her aegis. Her continued portrayal as a more feminine and human figure furthers this difference in interpretation. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 14. SHARES. In northern Europe and West Asia, snakes were associated with healing whilst in parts of South Asia, snakes are regarded as possessing aphrodisiac qualities. In mythology, the Medusa can petrify people with a look - which is a good thing, I think. Frigg is similar to Hera as the patron of marriage and motherhood. A woman. A fascinating tale from Norse Mythology that demonstrates once more the desire of Odin to pursue all possible sources of . My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) The story of Medusa and the power of facing your fears. Like her immortal sisters, she had snakes for hair, and one look at her face could turn any . Mythology medusa forearm piece Insta: @leigh . I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Although those details arent always included in Perseuss legend, the writers do agree on what he did when he returned to his home in Greece. After cutting off Medusas fearsome head (from which her two children with Poseidon, Chrysaor and Pegasus, emerged) Perseus mounted it on his shield, and used it to paralyze his enemies in battle. While Medusa was one of the most iconic and memorable monsters in Greek mythology, Sthenno and Euryale played only a minor role in the story and were never as well-developed. This trio of sisters may have been intended as a dark version of a tripartite goddess. Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images. Now, Perseus took advantage of the treasures he had gotten in the garden. 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. She made humans one at a time with clay. Rivers and lakes often had snake-gods or snake-guardians including Untekhi the fearsome water-spirit of the Missouri River. Lost in the telling are Medusas tragic origins and the unbelievable fate of her famous head. Top section of a runestone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age (793-1066 CE). The Gorgons were sent far from the civilized world to make their lair in a dark cavern. Appearance. 14 Blood Of Zeus (2020) One of the latest additions to the pantheon of Greek mythology shows was Netflix's Blood of Zeus. This meant that, particularly in a time when legends were passed through oral tradition instead of writing, the two authors likely heard different versions of the stories. In popular culture, Medusa has retained the duality between a sympathetic female figure and a dangerous monster. His petrification was slow and painful. With the help of the gods, the hero was able to kill one of the most terrifying monsters in the world. This was in contrast to English liberty, which had been depicted as wise and powerful Athena. 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. While she always retains the power to petrify her enemies, now she scratches, poisons, and grapples as well. The three gray-skinned sisters of the Gorgons were born with only one eye which they shared between them. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Everywhere, from Lord of the Rings to The Elder Scrolls games, these creatures are deeply woven into our cultural fabric. But Pegasus, the winged horse, became a figure in many legends. . Medusa is one of the more unusual divine figures of ancient Greece mythology. By the time the Roman Empire was established, the face of Medusa was almost indistinguishable from that of any other woman. The Graeae represented sea foam, while the other children of Phorcys and Keto were monsters of the ocean. You say I have the most wicked face of any woman. 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. As a result, God banishes Adam and Eve from the garden and curses the snake. Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. Her name is even used in politics, being invoked in unfavorable descriptions of female politicians. Snakes have been associated with Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic and the lower world.[20]. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? They wore snakes around their waists instead of normal belts. In these, Poseidon not only took Medusa by force, but did so in a temple of Athena. Norse mythology is a source of inspiration for many art enthusiasts, particularly when it comes to tattoos. In North America, the Brule Sioux people told of three brothers transformed into rattlesnakes which permanently helped and guided their human relatives. Today the word myth is often used to describe something that is not true. Hymns and offerings were made to it since it was believed that the Goddess could manifest through the snake. [16] Nagas, "the demon cobra"[17] and naginis were human-headed snakes whose kings and queens who lived in jewel-encrusted underground or underwater paradises and who were perpetually at war with Garuda the Sun-bird. He challenged the young man to kill Medusa and bring back her head. The good guy sometimes doesnt win and innocent people are sometimes harmed. Some versions of the character emphasize her feminine features, while she is given more attributes of a snake at times when shes shown as particularly monstrous. 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.. Although Perseus is sent to kill her, her sisters cannot die so he instead has to avoid them.

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