THE GORGON

In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. It derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful."
Gorgons were a popular image of Greek mythology, appearing in the earliest of written records of Ancient Greek religious beliefs such as those of Homer. Because of their legendary gaze, images of the Gorgons were put upon objects and buildings for protection.

The concept of the Gorgon is at least as old in mythology as Perseus and Zeus.
Author Marija Gimbutas (Language of the Goddess) believed she saw the prototype of the Gorgoneion in Neolithic art motifs, especially in anthropomorphic vases and terracotta masks inlaid with gold.
The large eyes, as well as Athena's "flashing" eyes, are symbols termed "the divine eyes" by Gimbutas (who did not originate the perception), appearing also in Athena's bird, the owl. They can be represented by spirals, wheels, concentric circles, swastikas, firewheels, and other images.
The fangs of the Gorgons are those of snakes and are likely derived from the guardians closely associated with early Greek religious concepts at the centers of oracles.


THE GORGON will be screening @ THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE on february 18th- 7:30pm
6712 hollywood boulevard
hollywood, ca 90028
americancinematheque.com