A ghastly being with live snakes for hair. The original gorgons were Medusa, Euryale, and Sthenno. They were sisters and they lived at the edge of the world in the Kingdom of Night. Medusa and Sthenno were killed and Euryale has disappeared but is assumed to be still living since she is immortal.

Euryale will remain hidden because she is hunted for her blood which has the power to bring the dead back to life.

Accounts of the gorgon sisters differ depending on the source. They have been described using different combinations of the following qualities: beautiful faces, deformed bodies, a snake's tail in the place of their legs, golden wings, bronze claws, hideous faces with tusks, scales, beards, and grotesque lolling tongues. All descriptions include hair of living snakes.

The descriptions vary because mortals have never been able to look directly at the sisters without being turned to stone. Even after death, their skulls, other bones, and certain body parts (if they have been preserved) can still turn humans and animals to stone. Being turned to stone using this method is considered a permanent and irreversible condition.

Today the term "gorgon" can be correctly used to refer to any being (male or female) with live snakes for hair. The term is also sometimes used to refer to an ugly or terrifying being.

See Also: Creatures by Type: Demons, Serpents