Yahoo Movies What’s the significance of Medusa tattoos on TikTok?
Editor’s Note: This article contains mentions of sexual violence. Please take care while reading, and note the helpful resources at the end of this story.
Medusa tattoos are getting popular on TikTok — here’s the special meaning behind them.
The hashtag #medusatattoo has over 114 million views on TikTok. While some tattoo artists say they’re “overplayed and unoriginal,” others are connecting to the meaningful stories behind them. Here’s why a Medusa tattoo is more than just some trendy ink.
Who is Medusa in Greek mythology?
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Medusa was “the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful.”
The original myth followed that after Perseus beheaded the mortal Medusa, her severed head could turn those who looked at it into stone. The head was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield.
In the later and widely read retelling by Ovid in Metamorphoses, Poseidon sexually assaulted and impregnated Medusa in Athena’s sacred temple. Seeking revenge, Athena transformed Medusa into a snake-headed monster that turned onlookers to stone.
This is the version of the story prompting TikTokers to get tattoos.
Why are people getting Medusa tattoos?
The Medusa tattoo has become popular among women who have experienced sexual assault. By reclaiming the Medusa identity, they are dispelling the belief that being victimized means they ought to be cursed or punished.
“That’s why a lot of people have this tattoo, because if they were, they are victims, it is like empowering yourself, taking back your power type of thing,” @waytooshey explained in a video.
The TikToker @izzywibble didn’t go into detail. She revealed her Medusa tattoo while recalling the day the horrible act happened.
“A lot of people didn’t realize the meaning of a Medusa tattoo. If you do… I’m sorry you went through this too you are so strong,” @r.bree.xo wrote in a video caption.
If you or someone you know needs support after experiencing sexual violence, contact the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673 or chat online with a trained counselor. You can also connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor at no charge by texting the word “HOME” to 741741.
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