The world of Versace is reflected in the Medusa symbol.
Medusa is an icon of Greek mythology, who has been portrayed in many works of art over the ages.
She was a beautiful nymph whose crowning glory was her magnificent long hair. She was desired and courted by many young suitors but before she was able to be betrothed to a husband, Poseidon (Neptune) found her worshipping at the temple of Athena (Minerva) and ravished her. The godess Athena was outraged at her sacred temple being violated and punished Medusa by depriving her of her charms and transforming her beautiful tresses into hissing serpents and giving her the destructive power to turn whoever looked directly at her into stone.
Medusa epitomises alluring beauty. Greek art and philosophy tells of a fatal fascination with her. Her voluptuous beauty was spell binding and confusing. She symbolises the union of heaven and earth and reflects a culture in harmony with nature.
Versace has paired the Medusa symbol with the Greek Key adding the water and eternal elements to this symbol. The Greek Key design is also known as a meander and is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif. The name "meander" recalls the continual twisting and turning path of the Maeander River.
Meanders were the most important symbol in ancient Greece, symbolising infinity and unity. Meanders are common decorative elements in Greek and Roman art and most ancient Greek temples incorporated the sign of the meander. The design is common in present-day architecture as a neoclassical element.
The Medusa symbol surrounded by the Greek Key is found on most of the pieces in the Versace Collection.