How an ancient story explains the “stinging snakes” of the ocean.
A post from the Weekly Jellyfish Blog Series
The story of Medusa is one of the most famous tales in all of Greek mythology. You probably know her as the terrifying monster with snakes for hair who could turn anyone who looked at her into stone.
But did you know that her story didn’t end in ancient Greece? Her legacy is actually swimming in our oceans right now.
In this post, we’ll explore the real story behind the monster and discover how the “Sea Nettle” jellyfish got its name.
The Story: Before She Was a Monster
Long before she was a monster, Medusa was a human. According to the ancient legends, she was a young woman who served as a priestess in the temple of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.
But Medusa’s life changed forever because of a conflict between the gods.
The sea god Poseidon and the goddess Athena were rivals. When Poseidon and Medusa were found together inside Athena’s sacred temple, the goddess was furious. She felt her temple had been disrespected.
Athena decided to punish Medusa. She transformed the young woman into a Gorgon—a creature with brass wings, a gaze that turned people to stone, and a head full of venomous, hissing snakes instead of hair.
The Hero and the Shield
The story of Medusa famously involves the hero, Perseus.
Perseus was sent on a quest to defeat Medusa. He knew that if he looked directly at her, he would turn to stone. So, the gods gave him a special tool to keep him safe: a highly polished, mirrored shield.
By looking only at Medusa’s reflection in his shield—never directly at her—Perseus was able to get close enough to defeat her without being harmed.
The Jellyfish Connection: “Chrysaora”
This is where the myth turns into marine biology!
According to the legend, when Medusa was defeated, her power didn’t disappear. It returned to the ocean. From the drops of her blood that fell into the sea, two creatures were born:
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Pegasus: The famous winged horse.
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Chrysaora: A giant warrior with a golden sword.
Today, scientists use the name “Chrysaora” for a specific family of jellyfish known as the Sea Nettles.
Why are they called Sea Nettles?
Just like Medusa, the Atlantic Sea Nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) is beautiful but dangerous to touch.
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The “Hair”: They have long, ribbon-like tentacles that trail behind them like Medusa’s snake hair.
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The “Venom”: Just like the snakes, these tentacles are armed with stinging cells that can hurt anyone who gets too close.
Sea Nettles are very common along the East Coast of the United States and the Chesapeake Bay, stinging over one million people every summer.
You Need a Shield, Too
The story of Medusa teaches us an important lesson: You need the right protection to handle nature’s power.
Perseus survived because he had a shield. Today, you don’t need a mirrored shield to go to the beach—you just need Safe Sea.
Safe Sea lotion acts as your modern-day shield against the “Medusas” of the ocean.
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It creates a protective barrier on your skin.
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It deactivates the stinging cells (the “snakes”) so they can’t hurt you.
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It protects you from the sun at the same time.
Don’t let the fear of jellyfish keep you on the sand. With the right protection, you can swim safely alongside these ancient, legendary creatures.
