We are once more having the recurring Summer's problem with jellyfish on the Mediterranean coasts. Can it be that they have Swiss blood to be so unfailingly on time always ?
Aha! Why - are you wondering - am I associating Medusa and jellyfish ? Well, in many languages, mainly based on Latin, both the Myth and the jellyfish have the same name, due to the likeness of Medusa's tentacular hair and jellyfish tentacles; both beautiful, in their own way and both (sometimes) deadly dangerous.
In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monstruous female character whose gaze could turn people to stone.
Actually, ethymology is quite appealing as the name meant "Queen" or "Protectress". Medusa's myth is entwined with Perseus's and this is a detailed summary of the whole story. As you will see, it's once again a story of love, treason, sex and death. Nothing new under the sun !
*Medusa plaque
The above plaque depicts the head of Medusa one of the
most recognizable symbols of ancient Roman, Greek,
and Hellenistic art. This head was usually a
centerpiece on the breastplates of the Macedonian
kings such as Alexander the Great, and the Roman Emperors such as Augustus.
Head of Medusa adorning the gates of the Royal Palace of Turin (Italy)
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The gorgon, in Greek mythology, was a female monster, most commonly known as a Gorgo. These creatures were favorite subjects in art, being horrific, yet pungently humorous at the same time. The most famous of the Gorgons was Medusa.
A Gorgon head was most feared, as evidenced in the Odyssey, where Odysseus fears a Gorgon head might confront him if he stayed too close to Hades. The fear people had of the Gorgo was based on early poetry depicting these female creatures as furiously spirited with serpents writhing on their heads and piercing eyes that could turn a mortal to stone.
The three Gorgon sisters were daughters of ancient Sea Gods, Ceto and Phorcys. Two, Stheno and Euryale were immortal, but the third, Medusa was not. She had been a female of absolute beauty, mostly her long, silky hair. She bragged at being more beautiful than the Goddess Athena, and one day, while in her temple, she was ravished by the Sea God Poseidon. Athena was outraged by this and turned Medusa into the Gorgon she became famous for being. She turned her beautiful hair into snakes and let it be that she could no longer see the handsome men who came to court her, as they would instantly be turned to stone if they looked into her eyes.
Perseus, in trying to rescue his mother Danae from King Polydectes, was challenged to retrieve the head of Medusa. He was able to do so with the help of Athena and Hermes. Perseus was given a shield of reflection and a curved sword to remove her head. The blood of a Gorgon was said to be all powerful. It could be a lethal poison or hold magical powers, as it was used to grant Erichthonius the power to reanimate the dead. When Medusa was dying, she gave birth, from her blood, to the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor, who later became the King of Iberia. While fleeing the other two Gorgons, Perseus used the helmet of Hermes which made him invisible and allowed him to escape unharmed.
More detailed and complete information can be found HERE.
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Celebrated in numberless poems and works of art in the past
as in this famous painting by Caravaggio
or this one by Rubens
The following is by Frederick Sandys
as well as in sculptures, among which supreme is the beauty of Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus
and forbidding Bernini's
whereas Canova represents it with his usual classical grace
The persistence of this myth is confirmed through a multitude of versions, all along centuries, till our days, in a trail as long as the history of arts
Vincenzo Gemito's (1911)
Fantasy Worlds are no exception. Here is Chris Achilleo's work
Anfex's illustration
Kim Saigh's tattoo drawing
Jamari Lior's photomanipulation
The late and deeply regretted Gianni Versace chose Medusa as his signature icon
and introduced its theme in various objects, home decoration and adornments, in addition to his high-fashion collections
Movies have largely drawn from Medusa's myth, directly or indirectly.
Not to quote the usually well-known "Clash of the Titans", some are:
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It doesn't end with Medusa's myth. Jellyfish are fascinating too, a world apart in the depths of seas; each a work of art with shapes and colors that vary almost infinitely. Indeed beauty can be found in unexpected subjects.
Similarity between Medusa and jellyfish can also be found in the millenia they have gone through as jellyfish
is one of the oldest living creatures in the world. Jellyfish have existed on the face of this planet for over 650 million years. They have existed since before the dinosaurs and have survived long after the dinosaurs and millions other species have gone extinct.
The Jellyfish are amongst the most fascinating and intimidating creatures of the marine world. Jellyfish are found across all oceans in the world. Jellyfish exist at a wide range of depths and water conditions, from the ocean surface to floor. They look like shapeless blobs when they wash up on the shore, but look extremely graceful and dangerous when they are afloat in water. There are over 2000 species of jellyfish known in the world, with many more species being discovered as man searches the depths of the ocean.
If you wish to read more, you can find all kind of information HERE
Au revoir et bon week-end !
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