What is the meaning behind Medusa tattoos?

While for many tattoos mark significant events in their lives, for some communities these have taken deeper meanings. Sexual assault survivors share the reasoning behind their medusa tattoos.

Secret codes and subtle symbols are common in the tattoo world. When shared among marginalised groups, they can create a strong sense of belonging or even a way to reclaim one’s identity and strength.

A semi-colon tattoo is one of the most widespread examples of this coded iconography and it symbolises the struggle against depression. The design was popularised in 2013 by Project Semicolon, a campaign which transformed its’ namesake from a simple, often misused, punctuation mark into an emblem of suicide prevention. The semi-colon is used when an author has a choice to end their sentence but decides not to; people with these tattoos are saying that this is a philosophy that can be applied battling depression. The message is that the story isn’t over yet, and to keep writing. This hit the mainstream when Selena Gomez, Tommy Dorfman and Alisha Boe, the stars of Netflix’s 13 Reason Why, revealed they got a semi-colon tattooed to commemorate their work on the show and to raise awareness for its themes of suicide.

Ribbons are also commonly used as awareness symbols, with each colour representing different diseases or hardships people go through. Most prominently in the world of tattoos, blue and pink ribbons are used to signify the loss of a child. Whether it is through miscarriage, stillbirth or any other reason, these symbols serve as a token of remembrance.

In recent days, especially on TikTok, iconography of Medusa has gained traction among tattoo artists and enthusiasts. Even though the visuals alone are mesmerising, there is a deeper meaning behind this tattoo.

In Greek Mythology, we learn that Medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena who broke the vow of celibacy. Medusa had an affair with the god of the sea Poseidon, and Athena punished her for it. However, in other versions of this mythology, Poseidon raped Medusa in the sacred temple of Athena. As both punishment and protection, Athena cursed Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men into stone.

Hannah, a sexual assault survivor, has several tattoos but Medusa is her favourite one. Not only because of the personal significance put into it, but also due to her love for Greek mythology. “In my eyes, the medusa tattoo is a symbol of taking back the power from the assaulter or rapist and it’s my way of saying yes, it happened to me and it was a curse but I’m empowered now and I’m protected,” she says.

Alice has gotten her tattoo for the same reason. “As a person who’s a sexual assault survivor and has been coming to terms with, I thought it’d be a good way for me to get it as a way of getting over it,” she says.

Glammah has gone through a similar experience two years ago and only recently has been able to realise how far she has come. She also draws strength and empowerment from her Medusa tattoo. She says, “It means a lot to me, it represents how strong I am and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”

Medusa has become a symbol of independence and strength, femininity and power all in one. Glammah adds: “she’s someone who I aspire to be. I have to always believe in myself and most importantly to love myself because I am beautiful, I am strong and I’m brave”

Clara has gotten a red-inked Medusa image on her arm after going through a traumatic event last summer. For her, it is a way to connect with other women and feel supported. Clara says: “I love seeing people with the same tattoo, because then I know I’m not alone, and that we understand each other.”

Hannah agrees. She believes it brings a sense of sisterhood among sexual abuse survivors. “Seeing someone with a medusa tattoo or hearing someone wanting to get a medusa tattoo, it almost feels like we have a connection in a way, like a secret code or something that helps us relate and understand each other,” she says.

From a monster in Greek Mythology, Medusa has turned into a misunderstood and strong woman who suffered punishment for the sins of someone else. This is a powerful metaphor for the survivors of sexual assault, as they navigate through a still prejudiced perception of rape in society. It is their way of reclaiming their power back.