Was Medusa a goddess?

Was Medusa a goddess?

Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one.

What is the Medusa known for?

Medusa is best known for having hair made of snakes and for her ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, literally to petrify. ... According to Hesiod's Theogony, she was one of three Gorgon sisters born to Keto and Phorkys, primordial sea gods; Medusa was mortal, while the others, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal.

Does Medusa have wings?

Medusa was a formidable foe, since her hideous appearance was able to render any onlooker into stone. In some variations of the myth, Medusa was born a monster like her sisters, described as girded with serpents, vibrating tongues, gnashing their teeth, having wings, brazen claws, and enormous teeth.

What are Gorgons in Greek mythology?

Gorgon, monster figure in Greek mythology. ... In early classical art the Gorgons were portrayed as winged female creatures; their hair consisted of snakes, and they were round-faced, flat-nosed, with tongues lolling out and with large projecting teeth.

Who did Medusa fall in love with?

One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology, Medusa was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon.

What was Medusa's real name?

Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful.

Who was Medusa in love with?

One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology, Medusa was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. She went against her vow and married him. For this Athena punished her hideously.

What is Medusa's real name?

Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful.

Why did Athena punish Medusa?

Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.

Can Gorgons turn you to stone?

The Bibliotheca provides a good summary of the Gorgon myth. Much later stories claim that each of three Gorgon sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, had snakes for hair, and that they had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone.

How did Medusa get cursed?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty .

How is Medusa in Greek mythology turned into a monster?

Chief of the Gorgons, Medusa was the serpent-headed monster of Greek mythology whose hideous appearance turned men into stone. Originally a fair maiden, she was violated by Poseidon in a temple of the goddess Athena, and Athena then punished her by transforming her into an ugly monster with snakes for hair.

Who turned Medusa into a Gorgon?

Medusa and Poseidon had had an affair in the temple of Athena , which angered Athena because she was a virgin goddess. Athena turned Medusa into a gorgon along with Stheno and Euryale, who were with Medusa, also got transformed into gorgons.

What is Medussa the goddess of?

Medusa is the goddess of snakes. The snake is her familiar and friend, and if you want to work with Medusa the snake should become an ally of yours too. You don't have to have a snake as a pet, but invoke the snake familiar or spirit guide and he will bring lessons of transformation, healing and strength.