Medusa is a figure in Greek mythology, known as one of the three Gorgons. Originally a beautiful woman, the goddess Athena cursed her and gave her snakes for hair. Anyone who looked at Medusa turned to stone. She lived in a secluded cave and was eventually beheaded by the hero Perseus, who used her head as a weapon. A symbol of danger, feminine power, and mystery, Medusa remains a fascinating icon in art and literature.