Video: Hand Mirror Decorated with the Head of Medusa

Ever had a bad hair day? What about a bad hair day every day? What about having snakes for hair? That’s Medusa, the mythical creature who at a glance could turn people to stone. She’s probably not responsible for creating Dwayne The Rock Johnson, though.

Medusa’s story is reflected in this object. See what I did there? Mirror, reflect.... Never mind. It’s a mirror that was made in Italy before it was Italy, around 500 BCE. It’s about the length of a piece of notebook paper, and it’s made out of bronze, polished to be reflective on one side and on the other....

Belle of the ball here is the star of a story for the ages. Medusa. Once a beautiful maiden with an attitude to match, she was transformed by Athena into a hideous monster. According to myth, Perseus, our hero, crept into Medusa’s cave using the reflection of his shield to avoid her gaze, which, as you remember, had rocky consequences, and cut off her head. Now, I’d be remiss to not point out the intrinsic irony of putting Medusa on a mirror. Maybe it’s a confidence boost when people compare themselves to her.

Her story reminds us how temporary looks can be. So obsessing over them is futile. However, the actual purpose of the Medusa mirror was to ward off envious stares.

What lessons might Medusa teach us?