According to Greek mythology, Medusa was born a beautiful woman, one of three sisters known as the Gorgons. When she was still human she was a priestess to the goddess Athena. Being a priestess she was sworn to celibacy.

Dark American trad Medusa head done by Aaron Breeze at Life & Death Tattoos Shrewsbury, England.

Heavy blackwork Medusa head as a statue done by Gara at Happy Lighthouse Tattoo in Seoul, South Korea.

Black and red traditional Medusa head done by Lynn Akura at Tiger Bones, Brighton UK.

Full hyper realistic black and grey backpiece done by Zhuo Dan Ting at Shanghai Tattoo in Shanghai, China.

So how did a beautiful maiden turn into the monster we’re all familiar with? Medusa was really a victim, and turning into a monster was not at all her fault, but the god of the sea, Poseidons. Poseidon met Medusa and was immediately infatuated. He tried over and over again to seduce Medusa, who refused each time. Finally Medusa sought refuge in Athena’s temple to get away from Poseidon. Poseidon didn’t care and went after her, following her into the temple of Athena, where he forced himself on her against her will.

Neo trad Medusa head and rose done by Abel Sanchez at Red Dagger Tattoo in Texas.

Realistic black and grey Medusa done by Dave Lao at Lone Wolf Studios in Winnipeg, Canada.

Black and yellow Medusa piece by Kike Esteras at Black Ship in Barcelona.

Neo trad Medusa head done by Shio Zaragoza at Blessed Tattoo in Spain.

To punish Medusa for having relations inside her temple, Athena turned Medusa into a monster. A woman with snakes for hair that could turn any who looked upon her directly into stone. Seeing herself as a hideous monster, Medusa fled, shunned by all, wandering alone. In her despair her character turned into the monster of her outward appearance.

Blackwork decapitated Medusa head done by Alexander Grim.

More elegant looking Medusa by Helena Darling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Hyper realistic Medusa piece done by Matias Noble in Valencia, Spain.

Neo trad Medusa head and Perseus’ sword done by Teresa Sharpe at Unkindness Art in Richmond VA.

Many warriors tried unsuccessfully to slay Medusa, but all were turned to stone, and her reputation grew with each kill. Until Perseus was sent to collect her head and bring it to the king Polydectes. Perseus was given quite a bit of help to complete this task, which the other warriors did not have. He was given a sword smithed by the god Hephaestus, Hades’ helmet of invisibility, winged sandals from Hermes, and a mirrored shield from Athena.

Realistic black and grey Medusa on the back of the head done by Anderson Luna in New York.

Large neo trad thigh piece done by Jake Danielson from Melbourne, Australia.

Very bright neo trad Medusa head done by Nik The Rookie.

Perseus was able to slay Medusa by looking at her reflection in the mirrored shield so he could see her coming and not be turned to stone. He decapitated her, and in doing so freed her from Athena’s curse.

Linework Medusa head done by Daniel Teixeira.

Dark neo trad piece done by Karlos Lloyd in Australia.

Heavy black and good use of negative space in this piece by Oash Rodriguez.

As a tattoo Medusa is often done in black and grey, neo traditional, realism, blackwork, and American traditional. She is most often tattooed as just her head, either visibly decapitated or portrait style.

Lots of red in this neo trad piece by Heath Clifford at Throne Room Tattoo in New Zealand.

Black and yellow neo trad piece done by Katie Berlinkey.

Lots of green in this neo trad piece by Rodrigo Kalaka in Barcelona.

Who is your favourite mythological Greek character?