Gorgon
In Greek mythology, Gorgons are women with snakes for hair. Their gaze turns anyone who meets it to stone, serving as a ruthless form of defense.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Greek mythology
- Trait family
- The Stone-Gazers
Near this figure
and 2 more
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- curse bears A curse denotes the word’s performative magic, imposing exile, blemish, or transformation; paradoxically, ritual cursing can deflect divine jealousy or promote fertility.
why
This complexity adds depth to their character, suggesting that Gorgons might possess a range of emotions and motivations beyond mere monstrosity, perhaps even experiencing loneliness and isolation due to their curse.
- Hair bears image-domain Hair denotes vitality and the state of the head it grows from, ordered or wild, shorn in renunciation, and red for ardour and suspicion alike.
why
In Greek mythology, Gorgons are women with snakes for hair.
- Snake bears Snake is a broad serpent symbol of creation and guardianship; South American traditions name Snake a primordial earth-maker and giver of hunting arts.
why
In Greek mythology, Gorgons are women with snakes for hair.
- SNAKES bears Snakes carry opposed meanings of creation and chaos, poison and protection, while skin-shedding signifies renewal; some ancient images may have no religious meaning.
why
In Greek mythology, Gorgons are women with snakes for hair.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Deadly gaze
why
The most notorious power of the Gorgons is their petrifying gaze.
- Snake hair
why
their hair, which consists of living, venomous snakes instead of normal human hair
- Cursed into monstrous form
why
Medusa was said to have once been a beautiful maiden who was transformed into a Gorgon as punishment by the goddess Athena.
Behaviour
- Petrifying gaze turns victims to stone
why
Any living creature that meets the eyes of a Gorgon is instantly turned to stone, frozen for eternity in a pose of terror.
Offensive powers
- Petrifying gaze
why
Any living creature that meets the eyes of a Gorgon is instantly turned to stone, frozen for eternity in a pose of terror.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Shadow carries both readings
4 citations
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 5.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 98.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Gorgons."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 6.
- Hero meets
4 citations
- Apollodorus, translated by J. G. Frazer, The Library, p. 5.
- Hesiod, translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica, p. 98.
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Gorgons."
- Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, p. 6.