Which mythological creatures were often described as having hair of snakes and could turn anyone who looked at them into stone?

This week’s mythological figures are monstrous creatures called Gorgons. The Gorgons were so ugly that anyone who looked at them would turn to stone. Medusa and her two sisters made up the Gorgons of Greek mythology.

What woman was unfairly changed into a snake haired monster?

In order to punish her, Athena curses Medusa by replacing her beautiful hair with a head of venomous snakes and making it so anyone who looks into her eyes will be turned to stone. At this point, Medusa’s head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers.

How did Medusa get snake hair?

Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue.

What did Medusa control?

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.

How many snakes are on Medusa’s head?

Cursed all three with snakes for hair and such ugly looks that to look upon them was to petrify (turn to stone). So the three priestesses of which Medusa was one.

Why did Athena turn Medusa into a snake?

After catching word of Poseidon’s attack on Medusa, a supposedly jealous Athena turned Medusa’s lovely hair into snakes and cursed her with the ability to turn men who looked at her into stone. Medusa, along with her two immortal sisters, was one of three Gorgons, which comes from the Greek word gorgós, meaning “fierce, terrible, and grim.”

Why is Medusa so dangerous?

both forms, Medusa’s appearance was deadly: any person who gazed directly at her would turn to stone. Although the two other Gorgons were immortal, Medusa was not. One of the best-known legends about her tells of how the Greek hero Perseus killed her.

Is Medusa the most famous monster in Greek mythology?

MEDUSA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY Arguably Medusa is the most famous villainess and monster of Greek mythology, for Medusa was the monster with hair of snakes and a stony gaze encountered by the hero Perseus. In the oldest Greek mythological tales, there were three Gorgons, of which Medusa was but one.

Does Medusa’s curse protect her from the male gaze?

Whether in competition for affection or authority, women in patriarchies are repeatedly pitted against each other, but a feminist analysis of the myth of Medusa reclaims her curse as a powerful protection against the male gaze.