Medusa Tattoo Designs

History and Meanings behind Medusa Tattoo Designs

Medusa Tattoo Designs & Meanings

Medusa is a well known mythical Greek legend and has become a popular choice for tattoos.

Who was Medusa?

In Greek mythology, Medusa was the youngest of the three Gorgon sisters. A stunning beauty with venomous snakes in place of hair and a deadly gaze.

The Medusa Myth

Originally a beautiful maiden, Poseidon raped Medusa in Athena’s temple, Athena then transformed Medusa’s beautiful hair to serpents and made her face so terrible to behold that the mere sight of it would turn onlookers to stone. No one would ever look upon her again. In most versions of the story, she was beheaded by Perseus, since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. After Medusa’s beheading, Pegasus, a winged horse, and Chrysaor, a giant wielding a golden sword, sprang from her body.

Perseus then flew to Seriphos, where his mother was about to be forced into marriage with the king. King Polydectes was turned into stone by the gaze of Medusa’s head. Then Perseus gave the Gorgon’s head to Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis.

Medusa Symbolism

The image of Medusa was said to stun. Her envy-inducing beauty in her youth and later her fatal gaze that turned onlookers to stone.

After Medusa’s death, her body brought forth Pegasus and Chrysaor, she is a symbol of fertility and abundance. Medusa symbolizes both life and death. Rebirth and regeneration, just as a snake sheds its skin to emerge anew.

Medusa has been used as a statue of feminism for her strong power and will.

Despite her original state, the name has become synonymous with a monster and occasionally used as a symbol of rage.

Traditionally Medusa’s image was used as a protection symbol on shields or entrance ways to ward off evil spirits.

There are often two distinct ways Medusa is portrayed through tattoos; as a dangerous and evil figure or as scared or expressionless with the snakes having taken control.

MEDUSA TATTOO FLASH SHEET

Available to download and use for personal use.

I designed this Medusa with the snakes intertwined very subtly through her hair. Her expressionless face and glare show a state of sorrow and loss. The skull and flowers in her hair represent life and death and transformation.

Medusa Tattoo Design

Scroll down for more examples of custom Medusa Tattoo Designs. Or contact me if you are interested in commissioning a custom tattoo design.

What is the Symbolism and Meaning Behind a Medusa Tattoo?

With any traditional design, there can be various interpretations connected to the imagery. When customising your tattoo design you have the power to take the ideas that resonate with you and create a meaningful tattoo that is based on traditional symbolism.

Medusa tattoos can symbolize:

Feminine Power
Regeneration
Rebirth
Lifecycle
Protection
Transformation
Solitude
Evil
Magic
Freedom
Envy
Death
Jealousy

CUSTOMIZING A MEDUSA TATTOO DESIGN

Medusa can be depicted through either her beauty or her curse. Medusa tattoo designs are popular with both men and woman and many images of Medusa can convey her tale. Her jealous inducing beauty, her later monstrous form, or her severed head. The hair formed from living snakes remains her defining feature.

When customizing your design think about what imagery you would like to incorporate.

Traditional Style Medusa Tattoo . I based this design on an old school style of tattooing, using a traditional tattoo style of a girls face with one snake protruding forth. She is adorned with traditional flowers in her hair and a skull contently resting on her shoulder. Women with Snake hair tattoo or the medusa head tattoo.

Drawing Medusa Tattoo Designs. With this drawing of Medusa, I have portrayed her as an eyeless beauty embodying a sense of mourning and loss. The snakes are full of energy and curiosity, they have taken control.