{"id":15828,"date":"2021-07-22T04:19:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T16:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/?p=15828"},"modified":"2024-02-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T00:00:00","slug":"medusa-tattoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/medusa-tattoo\/","title":{"rendered":"50+ Medusa Inspired Tattoo Design Ideas (2024 Updated)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re drawn to Greek mythology and empowering literary figures, then you might want to consider a Medusa inspired tattoo design. The stoney-eyed, serpentine maiden was supposedly cursed by Athena, who mad with envy and rage, damned Medusa with a gaze that would instantly turn anyone to stone as soon as they entered her field of vision.<\/p>\n

There are various interpretations of the story, some feminist in nature, and others more focussed on the jealous rivalry between Athena and Medusa. Some theorize, for example, that Athena gave Medusa this \u201ccurse\u201d so as to protect her from men\u2019s unwanted advances and potentially harmful behaviour. Others say that Medusa was simply the victim of a short-tempered Athena, who was intent on punishing her rival.<\/p>\n

Either way, Medusa is a symbol of feminine power and influence, as well as transformation. Her serpentine imagery also draws on biblical themes and the animal kingdom.<\/p>\n

If this sounds like something you\u2019d be keen to get inked, then read on to find out more about Medusa\u2019s slithery story, as well as a plethora of ideas for your medusa tattoo design.<\/p>\n

The Myth of Medusa<\/h2>\n
\"The
Credit: Saved Tattoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Medusa was one three siblings known as the Gorgons, and her family was known for being beastly and grotesque. All except Medusa, who was born an elegant and beautiful mortal.<\/p>\n

She was so beautiful in fact, that Poseidon fell in love with her and the pair made love in a temple belonging to Athena.<\/p>\n

Enraged by their intrusion, Athena punished Medusa by transforming her into a hideous creature with snakes for hair and a gaze so potent and poisonous it would turn men to stone.<\/p>\n

She did not endure this fate long however, as she was soon killed by Perseus.<\/p>\n

When Perseus beheaded her, the two children she bore with Poseidon were born from her neck.<\/p>\n

Perseus kept the decapitated head as it still possessed cursed power, and he used it as a weapon.<\/p>\n

Allegedly, drops of her blood fell to the ground in Libya and turned to snakes. This, they say, is why Libya still has many snakes today.<\/p>\n

50+ Medusa Inspired Tattoo Design Ideas<\/h2>\n

Now you know the story behind the iconic image of Medusa, it\u2019s time to consider how you can represent her in body art. Below we\u2019ll take you through a variety of great ideas for your mythological ink.<\/p>\n

Small Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Small
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\"Small
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Medusa tattoos on the smaller side are a dainty option. Tiny designs are a great option because they tend to be simple and elegant.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re small size also means they will be less painful to get inked, and they can be likely be easily concealed. This is a perk if you want to be discreet about your tattoos. The other benefit of small medusa tattoos is that the price of the ink will be far lower than a large and detailed piece.<\/p>\n

The only downside is that you will have to stick to a simple design and go in for much detail as you simply won\u2019t have the space to get anything too complex.<\/p>\n

Overall, a small medusa tattoo is a good option if you want something simple, neat and minimalist.<\/p>\n

Old School Style Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Old
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\"Old
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\"Old
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\"Old
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Old school style tattoos are recognizable for their thick black outlines and primary color palette. The look is coming back as it gives off a retro and vintage vibe. Since Medusa is an ancient myth rich in symbolism, it could be quite fitting to get a traditional tattoo style to match.<\/p>\n

Because of the bold colors and black lines, old school tattoos tend to stand out. You\u2019ll probably want to exploit this to the max and opt for a placement that can be easily seen. You\u2019ll probably need to get a medium to large tattoo in this style too, in order to achieve the full affect of the look.<\/p>\n

Realist Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Realist
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\"Realist
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\"Realist
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Tattoo art has come a long way, and some of the finest artists now work in the world of ink. This means there is really no limit to the quality and artistic merit you can find in body art. If you want something that looks lifelike and requires ultimate tattoo art skill, why not opt for a realist Medusa tattoo?<\/p>\n

For this, you\u2019ll have to visit a top quality tattoo artist who specialises in realist tattoo art. You can expect to pay top dollar, but the results will definitely be worth it as you\u2019ll walk out the tattoo parlour with a detailed and stunning Medusa tattoo.<\/p>\n

Because of the amount of detail required on realist tattoos, you\u2019ll need to choose a placement large enough to accommodate a medium to large tattoo. Your back or thigh, for example, would be ideal.<\/p>\n

Erotic Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Erotic
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\"Erotic
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The tale of Medusa is associated with beauty and seduction, and she is often considered a temptress. For this reason, it can be fun to play with her sensuality and get a Medusa tattoo with erotic themes. It\u2019s up to you and your tattoo artist how you choose to convey her in an erotic light, but parting of the lips certainly gets the message across!<\/p>\n

Medusa Statue Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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Many fans of Greek mythology are familiar with Greek statues and art, both of which inform our ideas of Medusa today. It\u2019s an appealing idea to reference this classical depiction of Medusa by getting a tattoo inspired by Greek statuesque depictions of the maiden.<\/p>\n

However, your Medusa statue tattoo doesn\u2019t have to be Greek-inspired. In Lower Manhattan, there\u2019s a sculpture called Medusa with the Head of Perseus by Luciano Garbati in 2008. It\u2019s a very popular sculpture, which many have linked to the subsequent Me Too movement, and it\u2019s become a powerful feminist symbol. If you want to reference 21st Century feminism in your body art, then this statue could be a great source of inspiration.<\/p>\n

Perseus and Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Perseus
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\"Perseus
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\"Perseus
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\"Perseus
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Whether or not Medusa was victimised or empowered by Athena\u2019s curse, her story nonetheless ends tragically with Perseus beheading her. You can interpret this as a heroic act of bravery on the part of Perseus, or of brutal cruelty. Either way, you might want to include Perseus in your depiction of the mythological Medusa.<\/p>\n

You can choose to stick to the original tale, and get a tattoo of Perseus holding the head of Medusa, or you could opt for Luciano Garbati\u2019s sculptural inversion of the tale which shows Medusa clutching the head of Perseus.<\/p>\n

Medusa Head Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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As the end of Medusa\u2019s story involves her head being used as a weapon by Perseus, the head itself is a popular tattoo design. When focusing on the head alone, the snakes are emphasised and it creates a slightly more morbid look. If you want to get a particularly eye-catching Medusa tattoo, then opting for her head with flailing snakes is a great idea.<\/p>\n

To really capture the menace and vivacity of the snakes, make sure you choose a placement on the body with ample space for a large design.<\/p>\n

Medusa Color Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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Most people opt for a black and white Medusa design, either with shading or not. However, if you want to have a bold and lively look, you might prefer to get a colourful design.<\/p>\n

While this can be very eye-catching and give a very unique look, it\u2019s worth bearing in mind that color tattoos fade a bit faster than black and white ones. This means you might need to get top-ups every couple of years, which can get expensive. However, if you keep your tattoo in a place that doesn\u2019t see much sunlight (e.g. the back), then you can keep fading to a minimum.<\/p>\n

Medusa Versace Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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The fashion brand Versace has Medusa worked into their logo. This is supposedly because the brand\u2019s founder, Gianni Versace, is a big fan of Greek art and sculpture.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re into fashion, and particularly Versace, then you might be interested in getting a Medusa tattoo which resembles the Versace logo. You can choose to literally copy and paste the design, or you can add your own embellishments to make it more personal.<\/p>\n

Sombre Medusa Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Sombre
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\"Sombre
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\"Sombre
Credit: @arte.nell.anima<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Medusa is simultaneously a beastly creature that inspires fear and terror, and a symbol of female dominance and power. This ambiguity means you can choose to depict her however you choose to interpret her character. If you tend to think of her as monstrous and fear-inducing, then you might want to portray her in a darker, more sinister way. You can do this by adding red, piercing eyes or a protruding forked tongue.<\/p>\n

Medusa Sugar Skull Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Medusa
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\"Medusa
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Finally, the sugar skull, which comes from the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico, is often combined with Medusa to create an eye-catching fusion design. In Mexican culture, the Day of the Dead festival is a parade which honours the deceased. Thematically, therefore, it goes well with the Greek myth of Medusa.<\/p>\n

Medusa Tattoo Placement<\/h2>\n

Now you\u2019ve perused some design inspiration and hopefully have a good idea of what you get you inked, you can start thinking about tattoo placement.<\/p>\n

Where on your body you get your tattoo is very important, and each spot comes with certain advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n

Below we\u2019ll outline what you need to bear in mind about each placement so that you can find out which spot is perfect for you.<\/p>\n

Thigh Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Thigh
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\"Thigh
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\"Thigh
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If you want to get a tattoo on the larger side with shading and detail, then the thigh is a great placement option. For females, it\u2019s a particularly popular spot as it\u2019s an alluring and intimate area. The other great thing about thigh tattoos is that they can easily be concealed. This is a plus if you work in an office environment with a strict appearance policy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also one of the less painful spots to get inked as the area tends to be fleshy, with muscle and very few nerve endings. If you\u2019re sensitive to pain, then you might want to consider the thigh for your Medusa tattoo.<\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a030+ Sexiest Thigh Tattoo Designs For Girls<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Chest Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Chest
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\"Chest
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\"Chest
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The chest area is another great place to get large tattoos as there\u2019s plenty of space to work with. It\u2019s also a very fitting spot for a woman to get a medusa tattoo as it\u2019s one of the more sensual parts of her body. If you want to get a Medusa tattoo because of her strong femininity and seductive traits, then the around the chest is the perfect place to get inked.<\/p>\n

The proximity to the heart is also significant, as it can indicate the sentimental value of the tattoo and its meaning.<\/p>\n

The chest tends to be a painful spot to tattoo as it runs close to the bone and isn\u2019t very fleshy. This can be uncomfortable, so again, if you don\u2019t have a high pain tolerance, you might want to consider a different placement.<\/p>\n

Sleeve Tattoo<\/h3>\n
\"Sleeve
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\"Sleeve
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\"Sleeve
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Sleeve tattoos are extensive creative projects. They require a lot of attention to detail as so many elements have to be considered. With a Medusa sleeve, you will likely need to get creative with other ideas which would compliment the Greek mythological theme.<\/p>\n

Often it takes a lot of time to perform a sleeve tattoo, and you will need an experienced and gifted tattoo artist if you want to get something exquisite.<\/p>\n

Due to the amount of time it takes to ink a whole sleeve, you\u2019ll need to have a decent pain tolerance to get through it. It will also likely be on the pricier side, and you might need several sessions at the tattoo parlour before it\u2019s complete. The result, however, can be stunning!<\/p>\n

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