Originally, Medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena, who was cursed by the Goddess for breaking her vow of celibacy. As a result, she was turned turned into one of the three monstrous Gorgons. She was often depicted with venomous snakes instead of hair and she had the ability to turn anyone who looked into her eyes, into stone. The Greek Hero, Perseus, managed to cut Medusa’s head, using the godly gifts: Athena provided a mirrored shield, Hermes a pair of winged sandals, Hephaestus a sword and Hades a helm of invisibility. Perseus managed to kill Medusa by avoiding direct eye contact and by looking her reflection, only through his mirrored shield. He then gave Medusa’s head to Goddess Athena, who mounted it on her shield ever since.