You wouldn’t know if you aren’t on TikTok but there is a serious and significant meaning behind the popular Medusa tattoo on this platform.
It might seem like a trend but wait till you find out what it really means…
Meaning behind the Medusa tattoo on TikTok
There is a reason why the hashtag #medusatattoo has over 114 million views on TikTok. Some people have remarked that these tattoos are too overhyped and unoriginal now as it has become a trend but there is a lot more to these inks than most people know.
Medusa was the most famous Gorgon monster. Before she became a monster, she used to be very beautiful. Poseidon was so enchanted by her beauty that he tried to assault her.
Medusa ran from him and sought shelter in the temple of the Goddess she worshiped – Athena. It was not allowed to perform sexual acts in temples so sacred so she believed herself to be safe.
But Poseidon sexually assaulted her anyway despite the fact that it was a crime to do it in the temple and he also managed to impregnate her. Angry at the turn of events, Athena turned Medusa into a monster so ugly that no one would feel attracted to her – a creature with snakes for hair.
Then Athena also cursed her eyes so that whoever she laid her eyes on, the person would turn to stone. Despite the fact that now Medusa was safe from all sexual predators, she chose to live in an isolated area all alone so that she wouldn’t bother anyone.
The word of her powers spread across the region and she was again sought out by people who liked adventures. Perseus was tasked with cutting her head by the King who kept his mother caged. If he managed to stay alive and deliver his promise, the King would set her mother free. If not, he would marry her.
We all know how Medusa’s life ended. She is mostly known as a villain, despite being a victim. Now that you know her story, here’s what the Urban Dictionary says about the meaning of the tattoo –
A symbol of protection from evil, or a symbol of the victims of sexual assault
person 1: I’m getting a medusa tattoo
person 2: are you okay? Who did it?
by tori.05 March 18, 2022
Having this tattoo means that despite being a victim, this is a symbol to empower yourself and take back the power. By acknowledging that you went through a trauma and that you can now talk about it and share your story means that the trauma doesn’t have power over you.
The Medusa tattoo is a symbol that will help victims recognize each other, relate to, and uplift each other.
