In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa plays a pivotal role as one of the three Gorgons. Known for her hair of living snakes, she is often depicted as a terrifying figure who turns those who gaze upon her into stone. Medusa represents not only the themes of beauty and complexity—once a beautiful maiden cursed by Athena—but also the consequences of divine wrath. Her death at the hands of Perseus signifies the hero’s triumph over chaos and evil, while her legacy continues to resonate through art and literature as a symbol of female power and vulnerability.