There were many antagonists in Greek mythology, but perhaps the most famous was Medusa. Medusa was a Gorgon who was described as having wings and venomous snakes for hair. She could turn men to stone by staring into their eyes, her primary weapon. Medusa is one of three Gorgons described in Greek mythology, alongside her sisters Stheno and Euryale. They were said to be the children of marine deities Phorcys, a primordial sea god, and his sister Ceto.
The most famous story featuring Medusa is her death, which was at the hands of Greek hero Perseus. He was said to be the greatest Greek hero, prior to Hercules, and slayed many monsters. Perseus was requested to bring King Polydectes the head of Medusa and using goddess Athena’s guidance (as well as tools from Zeus, Hermes and Hades guidance), he defeated Medusa. He used her head to turn to stone anyone who crossed his path, until her head was placed in Athena’s shield.
Medusa has frequently been depicted in fine art, notably in Caravaggio’s “Medusa” painting and Cellini’s “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” bronze statue. In popular culture, Medusa has made appearances, such as in 1981’s “Clash of the Titans,” 2010’s “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” and the video game “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.”
In honor of the fascinating lore surrounding Medusa, take a peek at some of our favorite Medusa tattoos from talented tattoo artists around the world. Then let us know your favorite tattoo from this list in the comments section on social media.