This photo shows a mosaic of Medusa at the Archaeological Park of Dion, an important archaeological site at Mount Olympus in Greece. The picture was sent in by someone who reads this blog.
Dion contains the archeological remains of sanctuaries from the Hellenistic and Roman periods and the park shows the importance of ancient Dion. The mosaic is in the Villa of Dionysus, one of the most important private buildings in the area.
Medusa of Greek and Roman mythology, although often depicted as a monster, has also been seen as a victim, a metaphor for unrest, and an icon for feminist rage. Angry women often get unfairly accused of being monstrous, with the reasons for their anger dismissed. Even in ancient times Medusa was considered to be protective as well as fierce. Her image was sometimes worn as an amulet to help keep the warer safe or ward off the evil eye.
The reader who kindly emailed me this photo sent several other pictures from Dion. I'm sharing this before Halloween as a reminder that the legends behind monsters can sometimes have more than one interpretation.
My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting - seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.
The photo is copyright the photographer and used here with permission
Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/09/organising-goddesses-harder-than.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/pagan-eye-lilith-dorsey-introducing.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/01/book-excerpt-healing-plants-of-greek.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/06/london-necropolis-roman-dead-in.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Park_of_Dion
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