The free-swimming, bell-shaped body form of cnidarians, characterized by a gelatinous umbrella-like structure with trailing tentacles. This form is typical of jellyfish and represents the sexual reproductive stage in many cnidarian life cycles.
Named after Medusa from Greek mythology, whose hair was made of snakes, because the trailing tentacles of jellyfish resembled writhing serpents. The term was applied to jellyfish in the 18th century when naturalists began systematically naming marine organisms.
Jellyfish medusae are 95% water but can still be powerful swimmers - they're essentially living water balloons with muscles! Some species alternate between polyp and medusa forms in their life cycle, like being two completely different animals.
Medusa's narrative—a woman punished for assault—has been recast across centuries to blame the victim; her monstrousness weaponized as metaphor for female danger.
Reference the mythological figure directly when discussing transformation and survival; avoid metaphorical use suggesting women/femininity as inherently dangerous or corrupting.
["gorgon (gender-neutral)","serpent-haired figure"]
Contemporary scholars and artists (Madeline Miller, Versace) reclaim Medusa as survivor and icon of reclaimed power, inverting victimhood narratives.
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