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. Frigg is similar to Hera as the patron of marriage and motherhood. Paris was famous for for marrying Helen of Troy, which led to the Trojan War. 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 . The earliest stories of Medusa said that she always had a terrible, inhuman form. They had in their possession other items belonging to the gods that would help Perseus survive an encounter with the monster and her sisters. Bragi-Apollo. The myth of Medusa forces readers to confront an ugly truth the victim isnt always avenged. Unlike Medusa, Sthenno and Euryale could not be killed. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Poseidon and Athena were often at odds in the myths, and the disrespect of raping Medusa within her temple infuriated the goddess. In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is a Gorgon, one of three hideous sisters whose appearance turns men to stone. It was shown with three heads, each of a different animal, growing along the length of its body. Athena took her anger out on Medusa. Only two humans and a few gods survive. Homer mentioned only one, while other authors said that a single Gorgon was born from Gaia to fight alongside the Gigantes. King Polydictes wished to marry Danae but Perseus, by then an adult, opposed the union of his mother and the untrustworthy king. 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 . 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. Their other sisters were Scyllathe legendary monster who hid in a sea-cave, waiting to snatch sailors from their ships and eat them alivewas their sister, and Echidna a serpent woman who was . 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. Even with the monster dead, Medusas true power lived on in her remains. Putting the helmet on his head kept them from seeing him, so they flailed blindly in their rage. 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. Odin lost his eye upon visiting a Norse god named Mimir.Mimir was known as an extremely wise god, and he had also possessed a well called Mmisbrunnr.The waters in the well contained substantial wisdom and knowledge, and if someone drank from the well they would also gain wisdom. She ended up mounting it on her shield, granting her the power to turn people to stone. There are Many Norse and Greek Gods. When he arrived at the sisters lair, the Gorgon was sleeping. Saint George killing a maiden-devouring serpent or Saint Columba lecturing the Loch Ness Monster which then stopped eating humans and became shy of human visitors. He was sent on a quest to kill Medusa, and with help from the gods and his intelligence, courage, and strength, he successfully located and beheaded her by using his shield as a mirror and avoiding direct eye contact while battling her. The interpretation can vary by image, person, and context. They could also account for the different legends of their parentage. Some versions of the story claim that Medusas sisters underwent the same change from beautiful to horrible, reconciling the disparity of showing only Medusa herself in that way. In Norse mythology, few stories are as dramatic as that of Jormungand, the powerful sea serpent. Concept art: Medusa, Assassin's Creed. Fighting the Ethiopian king Phineus, Perseus used the head against his enemies. 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. The Gorgon was mentioned again in the Odyssey. Medusa. In Greek mythology, the Gorgons were snake-women whose gazes would turn people to stone; they had serpents for hair, long claws, sharp teeth and scales covering their bodies. Greek Mythology is known for its many fearsome beasts such Mantikhoras and Cyclopes. The Wolf, the Witch, and the Giant by Kit Kat Kata. Irish culture is brimming with myths and legends, perhaps none so prevalent as that of St. Patrick, Irelands patron saint, banishing every last snake from the Emerald Isle. The snakes are painstakingly gathered and washed before the ceremony, which also involves members of the Antelope Clan. 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. As Perseus used the sandals to fly over the sands of Libya, the droplets of blood that fell to the ground created enormous vipers. The story of Medusa from Greek mythology is perhaps less well known than Medusa herself. Kincaid. You say my hair is like the serpent locks of Medusa, that . When a person dies, the Serer believe that their soul must make its way to Jaaniiw (a place where good souls go). Pinterest. There are also stories about Balder, Freyr and Heimdall.But just like the world of men, the realm of the gods was populated by both men and women. Some later writers would say that Sthennos scream could kill a man, but this seems at odds with the story of Perseus and his escape from their lair. In another myth, the protector Vishnu slept on the coils of the world-serpent Shesha (or "Ananta the endless";). Unfortunately, as was often the case in the ancient world, the victim bore the brunt of the punishment. Gazing directly upon her would turn men to stone. The only mortal of the three was Medusa, the victim of the Greek hero PERSEUS. While Poseidon walked free, Medusa was villainized for the crime of attracting his attention. Athena furthered her connection to Medusa by placing rows of snakes around her robes. Greek cosmological myths tell of how Ophion the snake incubated the primordial egg from which all created things were born. Although Homer and Hesiod lived at roughly the same time, they were from different parts of the Greek world. Her continued portrayal as a more feminine and human figure furthers this difference in interpretation. In Buddhism, naga were often depicted as protectors of Siddhrtha Gautama, the Buddha, and the dharma (Buddhist teachings), but they were also seen as powerful, and potentially dangerous when angered. Now, Perseus took advantage of the treasures he had gotten in the garden. Homer was from mainland Greece, possibly Ionia, while Hesiod was born in Lydia in Asia Minor. Stheno and Euryale, Medusas sisters, were immortal. He, in turn, gave the jar to Sterope to protect her city from invasion. Jormungand, the Viking sea serpent. 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. They continued to believe this even after the development of the story that told of her punishment by Athena. She birthed 14 children, including a son named Strife. All Rights Reserved. Despite reinterpretation by feminists and revolutionaries, Medusas name retains its connotations of monotonousness and deformity. They noted that in the myths there was never an instance of Medusa turning a woman to stone. Three-part deities are a common theme in ancient mythology, particularly in Indo-European tradition. The runic inscription reads: "Hrvisl and Farbjrn and Gunnbjrn". In the case of Norse mythology, the pantheon of major gods consists of no less than ten deities of noteworthy stature. Some images gave them wings, others a thick black beard. Belenus is associated with the . The Yeti in D&D 5e. It's Norse mythology time! the secrets of herself). Medusa - a woman cursed by Athena to become a snake woman , and people who . Bellerophon had been tasked with killing the Chimera, the fire breathing monster of antiquity. This trio of sisters may have been intended as a dark version of a tripartite goddess. Hesiod claimed that the head mentioned in Homers works was that of only one Gorgon, Medusa. Worshippers bathe in and jump from the ledges into the pools as a way to honor them and ensure that they provide things like fertility of the land and its people, and protection from the poisons (wrath) of its bite. Ovid, however, makes it very clear that Poseidons actions were not romantic. Even a piece of Medusas head, like the one Heracles gave to Sterope, was enough to repel enemies and cause uneasiness even if it didnt have the power to petrify. 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. In ancient Mesopotamia, Nirah, the messenger god of Itaran, was represented as a serpent on kudurrus, or boundary stones. Using the winged sandals, he was able to speed out of the cavern and avoid the angry monsters. The Almighty Johnsons, TV3 (2011 - 2013) Hailing from New Zealand, The Almighty Johnsons is another series set in modern times that borrows from Norse mythology in the form of reincarnations of the gods. But the gods help Perseus, and Hermes appears to him and gives him a magical sword, and Athena gives him a mirrored shield. ( Assassin's Creed Wiki ) Perseus kills Medusa after Seriphus' king, Polydectes, sends the legendary Greek hero on a quest to bring him Medusa's head. At the same time as writers began to show Medusa as a former beauty afflicted by a terrible curse, the face of Medusa underwent a similar transformation in art. Greek myth held that people could acquire second hearing and second sight if their ears or eyes were licked by a snake. As a virgin goddess, the act was particularly loathsome. Watch. . In their traditional African religious belief, they say that the Serpent Lebe guided the Dogon people from Mand to the Bandiagara Escarpment (their current home) when they decided to migrate to flee Islamization and persecution. But Perseus was able to spite the king by killing Medusa while she was sleeping, thanks to some help from the gods. She and her sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, were daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Keto. Many myths date back to ancient times. According to him, as the only mortal Gorgon, Medusa was also the only one not born a monster. The religion went into decline around a thousand years ago when Christianity swept through the north of Europe. After Bai falls in love with and marries a mortal man, Xu Xian, a Buddhist monk, Fahai, reveals her true identity to her husband. But Norse mythology, with its compelling stories . A fascinating tale from Norse Mythology that demonstrates once more the desire of Odin to pursue all possible sources of . As a more sensual villain, Medusas snakes are, once again, linked to Biblical notions of sin and evil. Phorcys and Keto were also the parents of three other monstrous sisters the Graeae. For this reason, it is taboo in Serer culture to kill snakes. The Chariot Hall or Royal Funerary Chariot Hall at the Wat Xieng Thong in the UNESCO world heritage town of Luang Prabang in Central Laos contains King Sisavang Vong's gilded, carved wooden funeral carriage, decorated with large Naga snakes at the front.  Men handling poisonous rattlesnakes, one even holding a snake between his teeth, for the snake dance of the Native American Hopi tribe. In both ancient Greek and Norse mythology, too, there are supernatural horses. Many later versions of the myth claimed that she was once a beautiful maiden loved by . In the original story she was killed in her sleep with no chance of fighting back, and most of the deaths caused by her powers were when she was used as a weapon by someone else. The story of Perseuss defeat of the Gorgon is one of the most legendary in Greek mythology. Bellerophon knew that the task would be much easier if he could attack the Chimera from the air and the hero . About Mythology. The Hindhu god Brahma was said to have banished the naga to their underground kingdom when they became too populous on Earth. When the feminist movement reexamined the legend, they came to a much different interpretation of Medusa than the Greeks subscribed to. Later writers would try to rationalize the discrepancies by saying that there had once been a single Gorgon that fit Homers description. Their parents were early sea gods, predating the Olympians. "He stared at Medusa and Medusa stared at him, and in this moment that made his dreams come true." - S.J. In Egypt the snake has healing abilities. His first mission was to find and defeat the Graeae. From Prometheus to the garden of Eden - the price of knowledge. Frigg is a Norse goddess of love and fertility. An actress plays the role of the White Snake in Baishe Zhuan (The Legend of White Snake) in a Chinese opera, 2000. Perseus could not look at Medusa or he would be turned to stone. From a monster to a passive victim, Medusa evolved into an example of the femme fatale archetype. A detailed view of Aztec art depicting the god Tez-Calipoca and Quetzalcoatl (right) devouring a human being. This was the last mention of Sthenno and Euryale in mythology. A woman. One day, a witch and a wolf met and fell in love. Athena also gave Heracles a bronze snake cut from Medusas head in a jar. To them, the scene was a vivid illustration of the triumph of human ingenuity and heroism. Also, in Norse mythology, the snake biting its tail (Ouroboros) symbolized the sea as the eternal ring which enclosed the world. Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. The roots of this tree (usually growing in water) were guarded by Veles (Volos) the serpent god. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The Gorgons of Greek myth were snake-women (a common hybrid) whose gaze would turn flesh into stone, the most famous of them being Medusa. In this, the Gorgon was not only a symbol of protection. While Greco-Roman writers rationalized this singular Gorgon as a separate creature, it is more likely that Homer and Hesiod recounted stories from slightly different traditions. Top section of a runestone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age (793-1066 CE). Who were the Gorgon sisters and why did Perseus not kill them as well? It is used, for example, in the scientific names of many animals to reference some particularly unsightly species and, of course, some snakes. Outstanding Greek Mythology Essay Topics. Soldiers used Medusas head on their shields and armor, emulating the image of Athena, in an attempt to ward off death itself. [1] Although not entirely a snake, the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl, in Mesoamerican culture, particularly Mayan and Aztec, held a multitude of roles as a deity. Around the globe, the serpent carries potent symbolism. Her name is even used in politics, being invoked in unfavorable descriptions of female politicians. Though the earliest depictions of Quetzalcoatl show him clearly as a snake with a plume of feathers, later cultures represented him in human form. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. Even after this terrible punishment, Athena had not finished the punishment Medusa. In Chinese mythology, the woman-headed snake Nwa made the first humans. Hesiod said they flicked their tongues, much like snakes. In Egyptian myth, every morning the serpent Aapep (symbolising chaos) attacked the Sunship (symbolizing order). Odin and the runes of power. In these she takes two forms. The ancient Greeks saw Medusa as a particularly terrifying monster of legend. In other cultures[which?] St. Patrick depicted with a snake under his foot. The blood and gore that dripped from her neck were portrayed in graphic detail. The aegis (/ i d s / EE-jis; Ancient Greek: aigs), as stated in the Iliad, is a device carried by Athena and Zeus, variously interpreted as an animal skin or a shield and sometimes featuring the head of a Gorgon.There may be a connection with a deity named Aex or Aix, a daughter of Helios and a nurse of Zeus or alternatively a mistress of Zeus (Hyginus, Astronomica 2. Perseus, therefore, with Athena guiding his hand, kept his eyes on the reflection in a bronze shield as he stood over the sleeping Gorgones, and when he saw the image of Medousa, he beheaded her. While a few tellings say that Pegasus helped Perseus escape, most agree that the mythical horse would not be tamed until Bellerophon fought the Chimera. Later, the word leviathan would be applied more generally to mean a giant whale (most memorably the great white whale in Moby Dick) or other massive sea creature. Danae's father, Acrisius, King of Argos was told that he would be murdered by Danae's son. And very often in mythology, as in life, the victim paid the price. The Odyssey - loyalty & vengeance. 36 42 (trans. The three gray-skinned sisters of the Gorgons were born with only one eye which they shared between them. 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. The truth was somewhere between those and is still continually reinterpreted. Its been suggested that Behemoth could have been a hippopotamus, an elephant or even a dinosaur, while Leviathan may have been an ancient species of crocodile. Athena also told him where to find further assistance. He cut off Medusa's head and gave it to Minerva. Perseus later gave the head to Athena, who affixed it to her shield. Medusa and the Gorgons are used as characters in stories with direct links to Greek mythology, but also in general fantasy and horror settings. These were: Muspelheim, the realm of the fire giants. Italian fashion company Versace took a completely different view of Medusa when they made her their logo. It was just a trick so the king could get closer to Perseus' mother, Danae. Likewise, the Korean snake goddess Eobshin was portrayed as a black snake that had human ears. Because of this, it has become a widely-recognized icon. In Hammurabis Law Code (c. 1700 BC) the god Ninazu is identified as the patron of healing, and his son, Ningishzida, is depicted with a serpent and staff symbol (Bunn 1967:618), Snakes were a common feature of many creation myths, for example many people in California and Australia had myths about the Rainbow Snake, which was either Mother Earth herself giving birth to all animals or a water-god whose writhing created rivers, creeks and oceans. The only difference between Medusa and a human, or even a goddess, was the snakes that crowned her head. According to Hesiod, the Gorgon sisters made their home on the farthest side of the western sea. To them, the initial punishment and the subsequent death were both justified. Explore. Two hundred soldiers were turned to stone, including at least one of his own men who accidentally looked at the artefact. 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. Shesha in turn was supported on Kurma and when Kurma moved, Shesha stirred and yawned and the gaping of its jaws caused earthquakes.[14]. The earliest versions of the Gorgons connected them to sharp reefs and the storms that could drive ships onto them. Perseus hid, waiting in the dark until two of the Graeae were passing the eye between each other. In addition to the serpents on their heads, they had tusks like boars, lolling tongues, and bulging eyes. Tiresias gained a dual male-female nature and an insight into the supernatural world when he killed two snakes which were coupling in the woods. It was more rare for a victimised woman to be helped and avenged than it was for her to be punished. Either way, the Graeae had shown him the way to the hidden garden of the Hesperides.