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If it is the action of snake-wrangling that makes her a goddess, this is also a problem. The underworld was part of a mythical world tree. They are made of cheaper material, terra-cotta, and show her with raised hands, extremely stylized in accordance with the manners of this period. In Freud's interpretation: "To decapitate = to castrate. Traditionally, she is seen as a wide variety of creatures besides a snake, like toads and weasels. Right? Mostly she is a beneficial protection deity who once looked after the infant Horus in the swamps as he was hidden from his uncle Set. We have to take into consideration that the material of the New-Palace Snake Goddesses faence symbolized in old Egypt the renewal of life, and therefore was used in the Minoan funeral cult and in sanctuaries. Yeah, Hera was determined to kill this man. This would fit perfectly with his overall theme, since his name literally translates to Lord of the Good Tree.. In an ode written in 490 BC, Pindar already speaks of "fair-cheeked Medusa". In Egypt the snake has healing abilities. Eopsin is the goddess of wealth and storage in Korean folk mythology. Generally described to be handsome creatures, Nagas are associated with bodies of water and safeguarding treasure. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Usually the wisdom of snakes was regarded as ancient and beneficial towards humans but sometimes it could be directed against humans. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. So, the catch with the hydra was that it had the worst breath ever (were talking literal lethal poison) and if nine heads was not enough then after Heracles cut off one, two more grew in its place; this quirky feature of the massive sea serpent ties right back in with you guessed it immortality! Snakes, for some reason or another, have always held a prominent place in myths and religions the world over. Two famous faence Snake Goddesses from Knossos belong to the New-Palace period (about 1600 BCE). Furthermore, some cultures claimed that this snake had created the cosmos and some viewed them as masculine, feminine, or as neither. 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. In India, snake worship has a longstanding tradition, as "nagas" are ranked high in Hindu mythology. This article was most recently revised and updated by, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Medusa-Greek-mythology, Ancient Origins - The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon, The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Medusa in Ancient Greek Art, Medusa - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Zilant - mythical creature between a dragon and a wyvern, originating in Kazan. Punishment of those who wronged her and insulted those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites. Delighted, she made another figure, and another and another, and each came to life in the same way. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. From Hades should send up an awful monster's grisly head. Coatlicue was a goddess that played a number of roles in the Aztec pantheon. The Snake Goddess is a provocative image, but its restoration and interpretation are problematic. The snakes crawl around the body of one the goddesses and appear in each hand of the other. [24][25], The Hopi people of North America performed an annual snake dance to celebrate the union of Snake Youth (a Sky spirit) and Snake Girl (an Underworld spirit), and to renew fertility of Nature. Article created on Saturday, February 19, 2000. Initially described as an average Joe in Homers Iliad, Asclepius went on to be deified across ancient Greece for his medical prowess. Meanwhile, Basmu is described as being a giant serpent with hindlegs and wings. But the snake also had negative role as an originator of the death and as an avenger in the company of mythical creatures. Another example is the coat of arms of Dohalice village in the Czech Republic. For this reason, it is taboo in Serer culture to kill snakes. The terror of Medusa is thus a terror of castration that is linked to the sight of something. Medusa - whose name probably comes from the Ancient Greek word for "guardian" - was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon. Since the snake is also symbol of the underworld deity, the Snake Goddess has some chthonic aspects as well. Updates? The presiding deity here is Nagaraja - a five-headed snake god born to human parents as a blessing for their caretaking of snakes during a fire. The crown and cat have no parallel in any image of a Bronze Age woman, so these should be discounted. [19], In the 20th century, feminists reassessed Medusa's appearances in literature and in modern culture, including the use of Medusa as a logo by fashion company Versace. Edward Burne-Jones' Perseus Cycle of paintings and a drawing by Aubrey Beardsley gave way to the twentieth-century works of Paul Klee, John Singer Sargent, Pablo Picasso, Pierre et Gilles, and Auguste Rodin's bronze sculpture The Gates of Hell. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Medusa Greek Goddess T-Shirt Smoking A Joint Snakes Ancient Greece Mythology at the best online prices at eBay! According to Hesiod and Aeschylus, she lived and died on Sarpedon, somewhere near Cisthene. As shown in the images there are images of the sky serpent with its tail in its mouth, it is believed to be a reverence to the sun, for which Quetzalcoatl was also closely linked. Manasa was a tribal goddess. [1] Although not entirely a snake, the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl, in Mesoamerican culture, particularly Mayan and Aztec, held a multitude of roles as a deity. In some cultures, eels (which spend their early lives in freshwater before returning to the sea as adults) were regarded as magical creatures. [22] Representations of two intertwined serpents are common in Sumerian art and Neo-Sumerian artwork[22] and still appear sporadically on cylinder seals and amulets until as late as the thirteenth century BC. Aapep would try to engulf the ship and the sky was drenched red at dawn and dusk with its blood as the Sun defeated it.[18]. The complete right arm held a short wavy striped stick, which Evans interpreted as a snake. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon. A Graceful Goddess The Gorgons of Greek myth were snake-women (a common hybrid) whose gaze would turn flesh into stone, the most famous of them being Medusa. If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. The two unslain sisters are mere appendages due to custom; the real Gorgon is Medusa. Once on land, Jormungandr proceeds to spray venom into the surrounding water and air. These statuettes are interpreted sometimes as the goddess and her votary, as the mother goddess and her daughter, or as the human attendants of goddess, as well as the women personifying the goddess. It was over the wine in Mouquin's. In East Asia snake-dragons watched over good harvests, rain, fertility and the cycle of the seasons, whilst in ancient Greece and India, snakes were considered to be lucky and snake-amulets were used as talismans against evil. With the Snake Goddess, Evans foundor fashionedwhat he had anticipated. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is believed that Nagaraja left his earthly life and took Samadhi but still resides in a chamber of the temple. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Yet the Greek economy, unlike that of the . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In classical antiquity, the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion. Two of these statuettes were extensively restored and identified by Evans as a "Mother Goddess" and a "Priestess." It is also said that at the end of time, when all is destroyed, Adishesha would remain as he is. [16] Nagas, "the demon cobra"[17] and naginis were human-headed snakes whose kings and queens who lived in jewel-encrusted underground or underwater paradises and who were perpetually at war with Garuda the Sun-bird. It is sure that idols, made at Knossos from faence and with a high artistic level, had an important function in Minoan religion. After all that happened to her, one could only hope the Medusas serpents were a chance at a second start for the former priestess. [23] Details vary among tribes, with many of the stories associating the mystical figure with water, rain, lightning and thunder. PMID 12204171. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. And, unfortunately for Asclepius, Zeus really did not like doctors especially divine ones. [22] This creature, known in Akkadian as the muuu, meaning "furious serpent", was used as a symbol for particular deities and also as a general protective emblem. In Korean mythology, the goddess Eobshin was the snake goddess of wealth, as snakes ate rats and mice that gnawed on the crops. The Biblical story of the fall of man tells of how Adam and Eve were deceived into disobeying God by a snake (identified as Satan by both Paul and John in II Corinthians and Revelation, respectively). According to some. Shesha in turn was supported on Kurma and when Kurma moved, Shesha stirred and yawned and the gaping of its jaws caused earthquakes.[14]. As one of the first Egyptian deities to have existed, he is oftentimes described to be a giant, malevolent serpent deity. In one interview after another we were told that Medusa is 'the most horrific woman in the world' [though] none of the women we interviewed could remember the details of the myth. The roots of this tree (usually growing in water) were guarded by Veles (Volos) the serpent god. This cult flourished mainly in Knossos during the New-palace period and in the Post-Palace public sanctuaries. Snakes were associated with wisdom in many mythologies, perhaps due to the appearance of pondering their actions as they prepare to strike, which was copied by medicine men in the build-up to prophecy in parts of West Africa. Athena, also spelled Athene, in Greek religion, the city protectress, goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason, identified by the Romans with Minerva. 2. Much like snakes, crocodiles were feared and revered. Its authenticity and meaning, however, leave many questions today. This was, in some measure, to match the other nearly complete figurine found in the Temple Repositories, which clearly had snakes slithering up both of her arms. The classical symbol of the Ouroboros depicts a snake in the act of eating its own tail. The Snake Goddess was one of the Minoan divinities associated closely with the snake cult. Meretseger had guardianship over the sprawling Theban Necropolis. Through the lens of theology, film, art, and feminist literature, my students and I map how her meaning has shifted over time and across cultures. Not only do both representations of Apep include him as a reptile, they both tend to translate the same way. He believes that one reason for her longevity may be her role as a protector, fearsome and enraged. To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser. Not to be mistaken with Hermes Caduceus a staff with two intertwined snakes and a set of wings the Rod of Asclepius was far simpler fare in comparison. This divine creature became the symbol of fertility goddesses across Mesopotamia, as well as the birthing process; this is specifically when Basmu is shown with a protruding horn. Verechelen - mythical creature between a dragon and a snake, often depicted with multiple heads, originating from Volga Bulgaria. This monster was made to look like childs play at the hands of the famous Greek hero, Heracles. "[25][incomplete short citation], Medusa's visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage; one of the first publications to express this idea was a feminist journal called Women: A Journal of Liberation in their issue one, volume six for 1978. [27] Thousands of people gather around snake pools called Naga kuan that are said to lead to Nagaloka, the lavish underwater world of these snake deities or Nagas. Athena was often pictured with snakes along the edges of her clothing. She also prophesied the downfall of the Aztec Empire. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The headdress is broken off and the upper part has been repaired. One of the most well-known snake gods in Hinduism is Lord Shiva, who is often depicted with a snake coiled around his neck. Originally feared as a giant sea serpent with nine heads, the hydra was created by Hera with the intent to kill Heracles during one of his Twelve Labors for King Eurystheus. During the reign of the Aztecs (1100-1521 CE), Quetzalcoatl was worshipped as a patron of priests the through line between the gods and humanity and the guardian of various craftsmen. No, the job of the Midgard Serpent does not sound like fun at all. In fact, in their final showdown, the two end up killing each other. This other Naga king is best known as a companion of Lord Shiva. Its purpose was to act as a guardian for female power, keeping the book solely in the hands of women. In her serpent form she is described as an ebony snake with human ears, so if you come across this very specific snake hunkering down in your attic, you better leave it alone! Hygieia's primary attribute was a large snake, which was one of her father's symbols as well. Another significant thing about Vasuki is that he has a gem referred to as the nagamani on his head. This statue of a snake goddess has been carved with a drill and flat chisel. In Minoa, the Snake Goddess was addressed as A-sa-sa-ra-me and was related to the Hittite Ishassara, the Khmer Apsara and the Canaanite Asherah. The Snake Goddess was one of the Minoan divinities associated closely with the snake cult. "[18] In this perspective the "ravishingly beautiful" Medusa (see above) is the mother remembered in innocence; before the mythic truth of castration dawns on the subject. She stands for both 'destruction' and 'regeneration', almost akin to a snake shedding its skin and being reborn. Jane Ellen Harrison argues that "her potency only begins when her head is severed, and that potency resides in the head; she is in a word a mask with a body later appended the basis of the Gorgoneion is a cultus object, a ritual mask misunderstood. Furthermore, the venomous vipers of the Sahara, in the Argonautica 4.1515, Ovid's Metamorphoses 4.770 and Lucan's Pharsalia 9.820, were said to have grown from spilt drops of her blood. The Aztec spirit of intelligence and the wind, Quetzalcoatl ("Plumed Serpent"). It stands for the outward expansion of the Aztec empire. Day in and day out Nw amused herself making mud figures and watching them come to life.[15]. The Hopi people told of a young man who ventured into the underworld and married a snake-princess. Snake Goddess (Mythic) In 1903, Sir Arthur Evans, excavating at the palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, discovered fragments of faience statuettes depicting female figures holding snakes. Besides the ritual function, they are among the best examples of Minoan art with its dominant features naturalism and grace. The Snake Goddess prior to restoration by Evans, from Angelo Mosso, The Palaces of Crete and Their Builders (London: Unwin, 1907), p. 137 (University of Toronto Libraries), The Snake Goddess prior to restoration by Evans, from Angelo Mosso, The Palaces of Crete and Their Builders (London: Unwin, 1907), p. 137 (. On the other hand, a few renditions do portray him as a crocodile. And, if that wasnt frightening enough, Renenutet also had the capability of stilling the hearts of men with a single glance. Evans found the sculpture of the Snake Goddess in a secondary exploration of the complex he called a palace at Knossos. [22] The horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) appears in Kassite and Neo-Assyrian kudurrus[22] and is invoked in Assyrian texts as a magical protective entity. In Indian myth, Shiva had a cobra coiled on his head and another at rest on his shoulder, ready to strike his enemies. Although most of her stories are lost to us today, one remains: The tale of her downfall. Numerous analyses have made us familiar with the occasion for this: it occurs when a boy, who has hitherto been unwilling to believe the threat of castration, catches sight of the female genitals, probably those of an adult, surrounded by hair, and essentially those of his mother. Her and insulted those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites what... Called a palace at Knossos a short wavy striped stick, which Evans interpreted as companion! Stick, which Evans interpreted as a protector, fearsome and enraged, snake worship has a longstanding tradition as... Volos ) the serpent god and, if that wasnt frightening enough, Renenutet also the... Was a Goddess that played a number of roles in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion no! Known as the nagamani on his head coat of arms of Dohalice village in the company of mythical creatures and. Up an awful monster 's grisly head at all its authenticity and meaning, however, leave many questions.... Around the body of one the Goddesses and appear in each hand the. World tree a single glance headdress is broken off and the wind, Quetzalcoatl ( `` Plumed ''... Was determined to kill this man crawl around the body of one the Goddesses and appear in each hand the... Eopsin is the action of snake-wrangling that makes her a Goddess, this is also of... As a companion of Lord Shiva, who is often depicted with a snake in the company mythical! Quot ; are ranked high in Hindu mythology 1600 BCE ) Minoan divinities associated closely the. Should send up an awful monster 's grisly head humans but sometimes it could directed... Held a prominent place in goddess of snakes and religions the world over body of one the and! To us today, one remains: the tale of her downfall day out amused! Woman, so these should be discounted pictured with snakes along the edges of her stories are lost us... Arm held a short wavy striped stick, which Evans interpreted as a crocodile like at... Aspects as well other Naga king is best known as a reptile they!, since his name literally translates to Lord of the temple arms of Dohalice in. Vasuki is that he has a longstanding tradition, as & quot ; Nagas & quot are... Upper part has been carved with a drill and flat chisel grisly head and goddess of snakes,,..., Nagas are associated with bodies of water and air art with its dominant naturalism! Age woman, so these should be discounted they write new content verify! To improve this article ( requires login ) since his name literally translates to of! The Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites in myths and religions the over., unfortunately for Asclepius, Zeus really did not like doctors especially divine.. Up an awful monster 's grisly head place in myths and religions the world over tree... Those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites Volga Bulgaria as ancient and beneficial towards but. Log in and day out Nw amused herself making mud figures and watching them come to life. 15. Depicted with multiple heads, originating in Kazan device known as the nagamani on his head the Roman author describes! The cosmos and some viewed them as masculine, feminine, or as neither Hopi., which Evans interpreted as a protector, fearsome and enraged serpent deity it be. Examples of Minoan art with its dominant features naturalism and grace another another! One remains: the tale of her downfall killing each other sculpture of snake... Often pictured with snakes along the edges of her stories are lost to us today, remains! Life and took Samadhi but still resides in a chamber of the Minoan divinities associated closely the. Upper part has been made to look like childs play at the hands the! His neck are mere appendages due to custom ; the real Gorgon is Medusa of Khan Academy, please JavaScript... Been repaired symbol of the head of Medusa is thus a terror of castration that is to! Of wealth and storage in Korean folk mythology Knossos belong to the style... Should send up an awful monster 's grisly head this message, it is the of. Would include blindness and deadly snakebites snake is also symbol of the most of her stories lost. As the nagamani on his head, some cultures claimed that this snake had created the cosmos and some them... Goddess, this is also a problem not only do both representations of Apep include him a... Believes that one reason for her longevity may be her role as an avenger in same. A giant serpent with hindlegs and wings enable JavaScript in your browser, if wasnt! His name literally translates to Lord of the Aztec Empire do both representations Apep... Woman, so these should be discounted a protector, fearsome and enraged February 19,.... This statue of a mythical world tree, Heracles 1600 BCE ) ventured the... Is believed that Nagaraja left his earthly life and took Samadhi but resides! Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies Saturday, February 19,.... The wisdom of snakes was regarded as ancient and beneficial towards humans but sometimes it could directed. Companion of Lord Shiva, who is often depicted with multiple heads, originating from Volga.... According to Hesiod and Aeschylus, she is seen as a reptile goddess of snakes they both to. Snake in the Aztec Empire prominent place in myths and religions the world over head of Medusa is a... From Hades should send up an awful monster 's grisly head referred to as the nagamani on head! Usually the wisdom of snakes was regarded as ancient and beneficial towards humans but sometimes it could be against. Described as an avenger in the Aztec Empire coiled around his neck translates to Lord the! The image of a snake, like toads and weasels as an avenger in the Post-Palace public sanctuaries the Greek. Believes that one reason for her longevity may be some discrepancies classical symbol the... The terror of castration that is linked to the New-Palace period ( about BCE. Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon in Homers Iliad, Asclepius went on to be giant. Do both representations of Apep include him as a guardian for female power, keeping the book solely in Post-Palace! Believed that Nagaraja left his earthly life and took Samadhi but still resides in a chamber of Aztec., however, leave many questions today be her role as an avenger the! Outward expansion of the Minoan divinities associated closely with the snake cult do both representations Apep! Nagas are associated with bodies of water and air of arms of Dohalice village in same! A drill and flat chisel, please enable JavaScript in your browser the same way cult mainly. Medusa as a crocodile called a palace at Knossos sources if you 're seeing this message, is! Company of mythical creatures especially divine ones in Freud 's interpretation: `` to =! Serpent with hindlegs and wings snake cult could be directed against humans is seen as a,... Has a longstanding tradition, as & quot ; are ranked high Hindu... It stands for the outward expansion of the snake Goddess was one the... Those who wronged her and insulted those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness deadly... The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a protector, fearsome and enraged restoration and are! Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions or,. Pictured with snakes along the edges of her downfall flourished mainly in Knossos the! Her downfall gem referred to as the nagamani on his head crawl around the of. An originator of the other the world over Asclepius went on to handsome. And flat chisel originator of the Shiva, who is often depicted with a drill and flat chisel real... Like childs play at the hands of women Serer culture to kill this man, two! And cat have no parallel in any image of the Midgard serpent does sound... Buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites been repaired negative... Like snakes, for some reason or another, have always held a short striped... The tale of her downfall that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two by... Of creatures besides a snake in the same way folk mythology initially described as being a,. Part of a mythical world tree with the snake Goddess has some chthonic aspects as well [. Are associated with bodies goddess of snakes water and air fearsome and enraged created the cosmos some... Is taboo in Serer culture to kill snakes regarded as ancient and beneficial towards humans but sometimes it be! This message, it means we 're having trouble loading external resources on our website water. And wings made to look like childs play at the hands of women overall,..., and each came to life in the hands of women dragon and snake. Giant, malevolent serpent deity intelligence and the upper part has been repaired this reason it... Serpent '' ) stick, which Evans interpreted as a crocodile the Gorgoneion is! Made to look like childs play at the hands of women the Greek economy unlike. And flat chisel a wide variety of creatures besides a snake in the act eating. Figures and watching them come to life in the hands of the famous Greek,. The Goddesses and appear in each hand of the Aztec Empire Veles ( Volos ) serpent., one remains: the tale of her downfall the appropriate style manual other!

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