According to a medieval myth, wearing a pouch of burnt toad remains around your neck could prevent a heavy flow. Toads were often thought to be the companions and familiars of witches.
It is still a widely held misconception that a woman’s menstrual cycle is naturally synced up with the phases of the moon. Similarly, a lycanthrope is a creature that transforms into a wolf during a full moon.
In Malaysia, it is believed if you do not wash your sanitary pads before disposing of them, you will be haunted by ghosts and pursued by creatures.
A Roman philosopher thought that a menstruating woman ‘dims the bright surface of mirrors.’ Similarly, the vampire is a creature that is known for not having a reflection.
A Roman philosopher thought that a woman could control the weather during her period. In Roman mythology, the harpy was a half-woman half-bird creature who was thought to be the personification of storm winds.
In various parts of the world, it is still believed that having a sex with a menstruating woman can kill you. A succubus is a demon in female-form who seduces men and draws energy from them until they die.
In the early twentieth century, scientists believed women on their periods emitted a substance called ‘menotoxin,’ which could make people sick. The gorgon, ‘Medusa,’ was a mythological monster who could petrify people with her gaze.
Negative stereotypes and myths pertaining to women and menstruation are often intertwined and based on one another.
The Curse
‘The Curse’ explores bizarre menstruation myths by synthesizing these beliefs with creatures from folklore in order to emphasize the absurd and harmful nature of menstrual taboo.
