Patrona Ring

Patrona: (Latin) [patronae] Meaning PROTECTRESS

ATHENA'S PRIESTESS                                                    

Think you know Medusa? How much of the Greek and Roman myths do you really remember? There are many versions, but in the most popular one, Medusa is a beautiful maiden. A chaste and powerful priestess in the temple of Athena, she is admired by all. But when Medusa catches the eye of Poseidon, the God of the seas, Poseidon’s wife Athena curses her.

BLESSING OR CURSE
What was Athena’s motive? There are different interpretations:

• Athena becomes jealous and curses Medusa for her betrayal. In vengeance, she turns Medusa’s lustrous hair into snakes and ensures that all who gaze upon her beauty are turned to stone.
• Athena moves to protect her loyal priestess Medusa from ever being molested again. She turns Medusa into a Gorgon, bestowing her with extraordinary powers–including the ability to defend herself from all that might wish her harm.

THE GUARDIAN
In Greek “Medusa” or “Μέδουσα” translates to “Guardian.” But why would such a fierce and dangerous creature be named a Guardian? Above all, Medusa had the power to protect via deterrence. She is a symbol that protects from and wards off danger–much like the modern evil eye. She is the dangerous threat that counters other threats, an image of evil to repel evil. In essence, she embodies the concept of fighting fire with fire. Medusa’s capacity to protect is the most enduring of all her powers.  

MONSTER AND HERO
It's easy to see Medusa as nothing more than a monster. However, she is a study of dichotomy. Monster and hero. Might and forbearance. Good and evil. Destroyer and creator. Medusa transcends her fate. She is cursed, but not necessarily evil. Because while we all have our monsters, it is up to each of us not to let them rule us or determine who we are. Our demons are not who we are, and we are not our demons.
Medusa could destroy with one look. But even in death, she gave life and beauty. When the hero Perseus cuts off her head, she births her sons by Poseidon: the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor, who sprung from her beheaded neck. In the end, she was the hero of her own epic myth.

PATRONA MEDUSA RING SYMBOLISM
Medusa – Also known as Gorgo, Medusa is one of the three Gorgon sisters in Greek and Roman mythology, with snakes in lieu of hair and the power to turn men to stone with a single glance

Cracked Face – Unlike her sisters, Medusa was born a mortal. The cracking of her face mirrors both her power to petrify all that look upon her, as well as her mortality

Snakes – The 3 snakes comprising the locks of Medusa’s hair represent the three Gorgon sisters. Stheno (the Mighty), Euryale (the Far Roaming), and Medusa (the Guardian)

MADE IN AMERICA
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TRUE TO YOU
You realized long ago that true freedom isn’t free, it takes work to maintain it. And that’s OK because you not only know the value of hard work, you’re living proof of it. Here’s to those who’ve made their own way in this world and aren’t afraid to show it.