Medusa: Can You Cancel Her Powers and If So How?

Several years ago we took a jaunt to Istanbul. One of the places we visited was the Basilica Cistern. Something I’d forgotten we’d done was to search for the Medusa heads that we heard were down there. (Yes. Plural. Heads.)

I was reminded of that adventure, though, when a viewer named Albert C. recently left a comment on the “Searching for Medusa in the Basilica Cistern” video I’d posted on YouTube back in 2011:

That not even real. U can’t cancel her powers. Even if she. Dead. Show more. Closer real head.

His grammar may not be great, but it did make me wonder something I never had before: Can you cancel Medusa’s powers?

I’d just taken it for granted that, sure. Putting her head sideways or upside down, any way except straight, will cancel her powers. At the end of the video I even quipped that it must have worked because we “saw” her but weren’t turned to stone.

So I set to work to find an answer, but first I had to reacquaint myself with the Medusa myth.

Medusa’s Roots (family, not hair)

In Greek Mythology, Medusa was one of three Gorgons, a trio of mythical creatures who were sisters that each had living snakes for hair.

Aside from their slithering mane of locks, they were allegedly very beautiful. However, to behold them meant meeting a very unfortunate fate: being turned into stone.

However, one thing Medusa didn’t share in common with her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, was immortality.

A Gorgon’s Use, a.k.a the Original Danger Sign

Since a Gorgon’s gaze was so lethal, it was a poignant image to put on things you wanted to protect, like buildings or objects.

I don’t know why, but the lyrics from Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” went through my head: “‘Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it.”

Except, with “Gorgon” in place of “ring.”

Medusa’s Origin Story, or Where’d She Get That Hair?

One thing I’m confused about, though, is Medusa’s origin story. As I mentioned above, she’s classified as a mythical creature, a Gorgon, and even has sisters who also share her snake-hair.

However, the Roman poet, Ovid, gave her a backstory for where her hair came from. It was Athena’s punishment to her for having sex with Poseidon in Athena’s temple. No mention of her sisters. (Unless they all had sex with Poseidon in Athena’s temple too?)

She also wasn’t always thought of or portrayed as beautiful. The Ancient Greeks personified her with a monstrous form but starting in the fifth century when people related her tale they’d describe her as both beautiful and monstrous.

And apparently, in addition to snakes for hair, Gorgons were also classically depicted with wings. I’ve never noticed that in any Medusa art I’ve ever seen. Have you? Maybe I’m too focused on that hair…

Who Killed Medusa?

Perseus, a Greek hero, beheaded Medusa, but while that killed her, it didn’t affect her powers. Her head was still “live” so to speak and able to turn anyone to stone who looked at it. Perseus used that to his advantage and put it to work as a weapon.

Other Reasons Her Heads Aren’t Right-Side-Up in the Basilica Cistern

While searching for a source to document why her heads were upside down and sideways in Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, I came across a Smithsonian article that reminded me of two other possible reasons for her head’s position:

1. As Christianity replaced paganism, Christians would often turn pagan statues upside down to make a statement.
2. There is no significance for the head position. They were simply attached to perfectly good columns taken from another building to be reused in the cistern’s creation.

I went back through my photos and found a picture of the sign that was near the heads. It talks about their placement as well as the myth. Sadly it’s blurry.

I also found a couple of photos of the heads. They’re not such great shots either. Our goal is to return to Istanbul one day. If we do, I’d love to try and get better shots of the cistern overall as well as the Medusa heads.

Ghostly Questions

You know what I think would be cool? If the Basilica Cistern was haunted by anybody that helped construct it.

If it were, I’d definitely want to conduct an Ovilus, spirit box, or EVP session to see if anyone would answer the question, “Why are the Medusa heads turned like they are? Was it to cancel her powers, a faith-statement, or just because y’all were recycling materials?”

The Search for Medusa Video

If you want to see the short vid that sparked this post, you can watch it here.

Apologies in advance for the crap camera work. Not that I’ve gotten much better since 2011, but this is an example of why I’ve tried to improve!

Check-In

Do you have a favorite Greek myth?