Hieroglyph snake. The meaning of the snake symbol among different peoples of the earth. Duality of snake symbolism

Motto: "I plan"
Element (element) of the sign: Fire-yin
Direction: south-southeast
Color: red
Gemstone: opal
Feast traditions: vegetables, fish, meat.

The snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac. In many countries of the world, the snake is considered a symbol of wisdom. China and Japan are no exception, although in some myths of these countries she is a representative of the "lower world".

The natural element of the Snake is Fire, which has pronounced yang qualities associated with activity, light and creation. At the same time, the sign has the nature of yin. This combination indicates that those born in the year of the Snake have an innate opportunity for a harmonious balance of the two principles.

The sign of the Serpent in all its manifestations (year, season, time of day) corresponds to the red color (hun), which is associated with the riot of life, corresponds to the Sun and the element of Fire (a manifestation of maximum vitality and activity), which in turn is the natural element of the sign. Since the Snake corresponds to the element Fire-yin, the sign is associated with a relatively light shade of red. The Chinese have red - the color of joy, therefore, for example, the bride's outfit and wedding paraphernalia have always been red, conveying the power of the sun and fire, which scare away evil spirits. For the same reason, it was believed that if a red thread was wound around a child’s hand, it would protect him from the evil eye.

The symbolic meaning of the snake is multifaceted - it is life and death, destruction and resurrection, male fertilizing and female producing principles, good and evil, earth and water, poison and healing. In cosmology, the serpent is the primordial chaos from which everything emerges and into which everything returns. The World Serpent in the myths of different peoples can serve as a support for the world or support it. The image of a serpent guarding the eggs it lays gave rise to speculation about a similar large serpent wrapping around the whole world and supporting it or helping the earth's disk to swim in the surrounding Ocean.

Along with dragons, snakes are guardians of the threshold, temples, treasures, esoteric knowledge, and all lunar deities. They produce storms, control the forces of the waters, surround the waters with themselves, sometimes blocking their path, sometimes, on the contrary, bringing water to man. They are invoked at all sorts of incantations of the dead crossing the waters of death. As a creature capable of moving without the help of legs or wings, the snake symbolizes the all-pervading spirit, as a creature penetrating deep into cracks and crevices, the inner nature of man and conscience. The shape of a snake can serve as a mask for evil forces, such as witches and sorcerers, symbolizing the evil and sinful side of nature.

The symbolism of protection and destruction that unites snake myths shows that the snake is a source of power if used correctly, but potentially dangerous. As often as a symbol of death and chaos, she also acts as a symbol of life. An example of the positive symbolism of a snake is such a concept of yoga as "kundalini" - a symbol of inner strength, psychic energy and hidden spiritual power.

In the east, the snake often acts as the progenitor of people, bringing them good. Serpents are often found as ancestral ancestors in China, where Na-gua and Fu-hsi were serpentine progenitor gods. They taught people how to weave fishing nets, how to fish, how to cook over fire, how to tame wild animals, how to breed silkworms, and how to write and play music. Therefore, the Chinese believed that the snakes living in the house are the spirits of the ancestors and bring good luck.

People born in the year of the snake

It is said that people born in the year of the Snake are wise and serious so much that they may seem gloomy. In a noisy company, they are not talkative, they remain calm; you will not expect incendiary speeches from them, although they can be witty if desired.

In Snake society, as a rule, an intelligent and elegant person who is successful and respected. Usually Snakes have a strong influence on others and know about it. The Snake man is self-confident and pleasant in communication, has a subtle sense of humor. The Snake woman has some special beauty and is popular with men, she loves jewelry and exquisite accessories. The snake tries to anticipate the desires of people who are useful to her and knows how to influence those who can help her achieve her goals. Calm and courteous, she is often the life of the party. Natural cunning helps her to easily solve complex problems, deftly bypass obstacles, act imperceptibly, but effectively.

The mental abilities of the Serpents allow them to plan well and not take risks, calculating everything in advance. The Snake considers failures and losses to be the result of errors in calculations. Snakes are usually elegant. In Japan, comparing a woman to a snake is a compliment. Snakes have a "sixth sense". An enviable intellect allows them to engage in predictions that border on clairvoyance. Therefore, among the various mediums and high-level consultants, there are many people born in the year of the Snake. They enchant those around them, literally hypnotizing with their superiority.

The secret of the Snake's success lies in the combination of determination, perseverance and the ability to foresee events. The snake is very decisive and brings all the work started to the end. She is never in a hurry, she thinks everything through in advance, patiently waits and at the right moment delivers a strong and accurate blow. She rarely makes mistakes, but sometimes, relying too much on herself, she fails. She suffers failure extremely acutely but tries not to show it.

Usually the Snake is fine in life, but her character is unstable, she is subject to a quick change of mood. Yesterday she was an unbearable egoist, and today kindness itself is ready to come to the aid of those who are unlucky. It is unlikely that she will offer to help with money, but she will put herself at the disposal of a friend in a difficult situation. The snake remembers everything that she has done for someone - maybe she will not say about it, but she keeps an accurate account of her good deeds. It happens that, having rendered a service to someone, she, on the contrary, notifies everyone about this, which puts the one she wanted to help in an uncomfortable position. Lending is not in its rules - this can only happen as an exception, out of a special disposition to a certain person who finds himself in a difficult situation.

People born in the year of the Snake can be difficult to understand, they do not like to show their "inner kitchen". They even hide things that there is no need to hide - just out of habit. If you somehow hurt the Snake, you may not even recognize it and be immensely surprised when, after holding a grudge for a long time, one day she will take revenge. And it should be noted that the Serpents are very vindictive and vindictive. The snake likes to appear mysterious and mysterious - in part, it is. She masterfully demonstrates a carefully thought-out image, others often have no idea what she really is. The main reason for such secrecy and closeness is suspicion and the deepest distrust of people.

Other negative qualities of Serpents are excessive demands, selfishness and jealousy. Their restraint borders on closeness to contacts.

The Mayan word CHIKCHAN literally means "clear sign", as well as "sign of the serpent" and "Sign of the sky". The bottom line is that the ancient root “chan” (modern “kan”) in the Mayan language has three equal meanings at once: “serpent”, “heaven” and “see”. This ambiguity of the word "chan" explains the special love of the Indians for the image of the Serpent, which symbolically means the Divine, or Higher vision.

On the hieroglyph of the Serpent sign, a mat is depicted, which in the Mayan tradition symbolizes supreme power. The mat for the Indians is the same familiar and understandable image of power as the crown or throne is for us. A special moment is connected with the fact that on the hieroglyph of the Chikchan sign, the mat is certainly located in the upper corner, which means the power is not earthly, but Heavenly. Another element of the hieroglyph is a snake, which either descends from under the mat down to the ground, or, on the contrary, rises up. All this symbolically depicts a certain connection between Heaven and Earth, man and God.

The duality of the symbolism of the snake.

The symbolism of protection and destruction that unites all snake myths shows that the snake has a dual reputation, being a source of power when used correctly, but potentially dangerous and often emblematic of death and chaos as well as life. It can be both a symbol of good and a symbol of evil. Such a duality of symbolism, forcing a balance between fear and worship, contributed to the fact that the snake appears either in the form of a progenitor, or in the form of an enemy, is considered either a hero or a monster.

In almost all Gnostic schools, the serpent was understood either as a symbol of the Upper World, or as a chaotic principle (the son of Yallabaoth). But sometimes the serpent was at the same time a symbol of good and evil, although these two images are sharply separated. The same is observed in our time in the countries of the East and among other peoples.

positive symbolism.

An example of the positive symbolism of a snake is the concept of kundalini: a symbol of inner strength, psychic energy, a snake-like ball of vital energy dormant at the base of the spine. The kundalini energy is called the "serpent power". Sometimes she is depicted as a coiled snake with heads at both ends.

In Tantrism, two snakes wrapped around the central pillar is an ancient symbol that illustrates the basic position of etheric physiology: ascending serpentine energies generate a whirlwind of energy that transforms the whole person.

Images of a snake nailed to a cross, which are found in medieval Christian art, have become a symbol of resurrection and the superiority of the spirit over the flesh.

In the religion of the Druids, the primitive inhabitants of Europe, the cult of the snake played such an important role that the leaders had the honorary title of "serpents". Everyone who entered the sacred dignity of a druid had to pronounce the cult formula: "I am a druid, I am a builder, I am a prophet, I am a serpent."

Among the Assyrians, the snake was a symbol of life (in Assyrian and Arabic, the word "snake" comes from the root "to live").

In ancient Egypt, the snake is a symbol of the Sun and Osiris himself, as well as a symbol of the heavenly river. The image of Isis is also known, where the upper part of the body is human, and the lower one is snake. Revered in ancient Egypt, Amon and Aten were snake gods. In addition, the snake is the winner of the enemies of the pharaoh, incinerating them with her fire. The personification of this is the so-called uraeus, or "pharaoh's diadem", a protective emblem of supreme power. In a broad sense, uraeus (literally - "serpent") - a snake wrapped around the solar disk (Mountain), or a cobra with a lion's head. It serves as an ornament for the headdress of Osiris and a number of other deities. Esoterically, the uraeus symbolizes initiation and communion with hidden wisdom, which is always associated with the image of a snake. The esoteric ordinances of initiation were called "serpents" (which brings to mind the gospel expression: "Be wise as serpents").

In the ancient world, it was believed that snakes were the fathers of some mythical gods and heroes (including Alexander the Great, who was said to be conceived by Zeus in the guise of a snake). In Greek mythology, Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, sowed the teeth of a dragon-serpent, from which the Theban nobility later grew. In Elis, Sosipolis, the "Savior of the World", the "divine child", who before birth appeared in the form of a snake, enjoyed special reverence. The snake was a necessary attribute of the divine creator of the world and life.

In India, Shiva is known by many names, including the king of snakes. Among the many images of Vishnu's avatars, the most famous is where he lies as if half asleep on the coils of the world snake Ananta, and his wife Lakshmi, the goddess of beauty and happiness, sits at his feet. In the legend of Krishna, Kaleyeni (servant of the goddess Kali) is the king of snakes, and the wife of King Kaisa, Nizumba, is called the "daughter of the snake." Patanjali, the author of the sutras, was called the "divine serpent" by yogis. In general, snakes are almost always present in the image of Indian deities. In this country, snakes are revered as the geniuses of heaven, and meeting a snake on the road brings happiness. In addition, both in India and in some other regions, snakes often turn out to be the guardians of shrines, water sources and treasures. This tradition is associated with the symbolism of fertility inherent in the snake, and with the belief that precious stones are the frozen saliva of snakes.

On the islands of Samoa, the deity Savevziumo is symbolically represented by a man whose lower body is serpentine. With its endless extension, covering all the islands of the ocean, the snake symbolizes the omnipresence of the deity.

There is a legend in Chinese folklore that snakes reward virtuous people with pearls. The Japanese emperor bears the title "Mi-kado", which means "son of the snake", because he is attributed to the origin of the celestial serpent.

The Nahuas people, who along with the Maya created one of the ancient civilizations in pre-Columbian America, called themselves "people of the serpent race." The Xibalba empire was known as the realm of snakes. Humbold relates that in Mexico, in celebrations that played the role of Christian mysteries, the snake was the emblem of the progenitor of people. This progenitor of mankind bore the name Tsihua-Cohuatl, which literally means "woman with a snake." In general, the cult of snakes is ubiquitous along the banks of the Mississippi and in Central America, and the similarity of the images found here with Indian ones attracts attention.

There were mythical snakes of another kind. It turns out that there were snakes that lived with healers and healers. Those who wish could "either take them out of a cock's egg" or buy them. These kites were sold because no one had the right to keep them for more than three years. They were believed to bring wealth. And at the same time, the people did not really believe that wealth could be acquired in such an easy way. Therefore, there is an interesting caveat in the legend: they can bring wealth, but small, sometimes not even very noticeable.

Negative symbolism.

If we consider the frightening part of the symbolism of the snake, then it is a clear prototype of dragons and sea serpents (Western folklore) or snake-like hybrids, such as in Greek mythology the children of Echidna (Hydra, Chimera) and the snake-tailed dog from the underworld (Cerberus), symbolizing many dangers, waiting for a person in life. The bite of a poisonous snake caused the death of Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus. She ended up in the afterlife, where the serpent-tailed Minos judged dead souls. Therefore, killing a snake was considered a feat, especially if it was regarded as a symbol of the struggle against the power of fathers and elders - as in the legend of Hercules (Hercules), who, while still a baby, strangled two snakes, and later defeated the Lernean hydra. In order to establish his cult in Delphi, Apollo had to kill Python, the dragon who had raised the terrible monster Typhon.

In Egypt, the first feat of the grown-up Horus was the killing of a serpent. On the other hand, the soul of every dead person must fight the snake Apopi and defeat it or perish.

In India, the bloodthirsty goddess Kali was half woman, half snake. The first feat of young Krishna is the victory over a giant snake, although this is just a symbolic repetition of Vishnu's victory over the snake Kalinata.

Birds associated with light, such as the eagle, the falcon, or the legendary Garuda in India, were often depicted slaying snakes, as were many gods and heroes.

In Iranian Zoroastrianism, the snake is one of the most evil omens, foreshadowing the appearance of Satan, and it also symbolizes the darkness of evil. Ahriman is cast down to earth by the heavens in the form of a huge serpent.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the "green snake" is one of the three basic animal instincts inherent in man - hatred.

The Chinese genius of evil, proud before the Almighty, Tshi-Seu, is, in turn, a giant serpent. The snake is one of the five harmful animals in China, although it sometimes appears in positive roles. The demon of the Japanese is also a snake, rebelling out of pride against God. In Japan, there is a legend about the heroic victory over the snake of the young man Iomato.

In Germanic mythology, Thor and Beowulf killed snake-dragons, but they themselves died, slain by them. Among the Germans in the "Song of the Nibelungs" Siegfried's exploits begin with a victory over the dragon - Fafnir. In Scandinavian mythology, the eldest son of the fire god Loki, the personification of evil, is a snake that seeks to encircle the world with deadly rings and destroy all life with poison.

In Western folklore, the symbolism of the snake is mostly negative. The reason for this is its forked language, which suggests hypocrisy and deceit, and poison, which brings sudden and instant death. The snake is blamed for the fact that because of it people lost God's gift of eternal life, referring not only to the story of Adam and Eve, but also to the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, whose hero traveled a great distance to find a magical plant, returning youth, and when he found it, the snake immediately stole it.

Jewish and Christian traditions present the serpent as an enemy and even identify it with Satan. Therefore, in Western art, the snake has become the main symbol of evil, sin, temptation, deceit. She is depicted at the foot of the cross as an emblem of original sin: in scenes of the temptation of Christ, and also under the foot of the Virgin Mary. The Apostle John is depicted with a cup, around which a snake wrapped, in memory of the fact that they wanted to poison him, the poison did not work, because John crossed the cup. St. George the Victorious, riding a horse and striking a snake with a spear, is the patron saint of Moscow.

According to Tertullian, the famous Roman theologian, the early Christians called Christ the "Serpent of Good"; in art, the copper snake was reminiscent of the words of Christ: "The Son of Man can ascend into heaven."

In medieval Europe, the killing of vipers was considered a charitable deed. Snakes were an indispensable attribute of sorceresses, witches' potions included some parts of snakes. In fairy tales, such an allegory is common: evil words, curses, turn into snakes falling from the mouth. Legends about multi-headed snakes, about the monstrous Typhon, with whom Zeus waged a long and stubborn struggle, gave rise to tales of gorynych snakes, with which valiant heroes fight, chopping off one head after another. In Russian folk tales, the image of a snake appeared much later, during the time of the Tatar-Mongol yoke, and symbolized the "abomination" - the enemy.

Cosmogonic symbolism of the snake.

The snake in the ideas of people is primarily a magical symbol of the forces that gave birth to life, sometimes it depicted the Creator God himself.

The image of a snake guarding the eggs it lays is associated with a huge snake that wraps around the whole world and supports it or helps the earth's disk to swim in the surrounding Ocean. So, the Hindu creator god Vishnu leans on the rings of the huge snake Ananta (Shesha). Goddess Indra kills the snake of chaos Vritra, freeing the fruitful waters that she guarded. Vasuki, the great earthquake serpent, helped churn the sea from which the firmament was liberated. In African myths, the rainbow-serpent, with its tail resting against the waters of the underworld, reaches the heavens with its head. In Norse myths, the huge, unpredictable storm serpent Midgard holds the world in its arms. The head of a snake crowns the prows of the Viking ships - this had both protective and intimidating significance. In South America, eclipses were explained by the fact that the Sun or the Moon was swallowed by a giant snake. According to ancient Egyptian myth, the barge on which the Sun travels every night through the realm of the dead is threatened by the serpent Apep, and the help of another snake is needed so that the Sun's barge can appear above the horizon in the morning. In Mexico, Quetzalcoatl, the divine feathered serpent found in folklore throughout South and Central America, combines the forces of earth and sky.

The variety of symbolism of the snake is explained by the fact that it is in constant contact with the forces of the earth, water, darkness and the underworld - lonely, cold-blooded, secretive, often poisonous, moving swiftly without legs, able to swallow animals many times larger than itself and rejuvenate by shedding its skin . The shape of the snake's body, as well as its other characteristics, gives rise to many comparisons: with waves and hilly terrain, flat rivers, vines and tree roots, rainbows and lightning, the spiraling movement of the cosmos. The snake eventually became one of the most widely used animalistic symbols. An enormous snake is depicted on the 400-meter Great Serpent Mound in Ohio.

According to Dogon legends, the creator god Amma gave birth to two twin Nommo - half-humans, half-snakes, and they gave rise to the human race. One of the Nommo was a blacksmith. The ancestors of the Dogon, according to beliefs, could turn into snakes and possessed immortality, but after the fall, their souls could not find peace for a long time. The oracle, carving a large snake out of wood, gave them a place of refuge and rest.

In the Dahomey tribe, the divine serpent Aido-Khvedo is revered, in which they see the symbol of the rainbow, the movement of celestial bodies and the herald of rain.

The snake in the worldview of the African peoples symbolizes not only the heavenly, divine nature, but also demonic forces.

On the island of Bali, there are forces dedicated to water snakes. In an ancient Balinese manuscript, the tortoise Bedawant, the foundation of the universe, was entwined with two snakes.

Among the peoples of Tropical Africa, snakes embody the idea of ​​immortality, since when they molt they change their skin, that is, the shell of physical existence.

Ouroboros (Oroboros) - a snake biting its own tail - a symbol not only of eternity, but also of divine self-sufficiency.

Generic symbolism of the snake.

Snakes are often found as ancestral ancestors (totems) in African and North American legends, as well as in China, where Nui-Wa and Fu-Xi were snake-like progenitor gods, and the snakes living in the house, according to legend, were the spirits of ancestors and brought good luck.

The snake as a symbol of wisdom.

Totemic symbolism, combined with the belief that snakes know the secrets of the earth and are able to see in the dark, endows snakes with wisdom or the gift of divination. “Be wise as serpents and simple as doves,” Christ said to his disciples (Matthew 10:16). The Greek word "dragon" (which not only refers to a monster, but also means "snake with a piercing gaze") is etymologically related to vision. In the art of the snake - an attribute of the goddess of wisdom Athena (Minerva) and the allegorical figure of Prudence, meaning the gift of foresight. According to legend, the Trojan soothsayer Cassandra owed her talent to the sacred snakes of Apollo, who licked her ears when she lay in his temple.

The snake in fertility cults.

The serpent wrapped around the forbidden tree in paradise is a story that has many parallels in folklore. In ancient Greek myth, the snake guards the golden apples of the Hesperides, as well as the tree on which the golden fleece hangs. The tree and the snake wrapped around it are the emblem of the Middle Eastern fertility goddess Ishtar. As many other images of the earth goddesses holding phallus-like snakes (symbols of fertility) confirm, these animals played a very important role in the agricultural cults of the Mediterranean and the Near East. The rites of initiation in honor of the Asia Minor god Sabaziy imitated the passage of a snake through the body of a clergyman. The snakes entangling the legs and arms of satyrs in the scenes of Bacchic festivities are reminiscent of ancient rituals in honor of the gods of fertility, as well as the vine. Snakes are also characteristic of Semitic fertility cults, where they were used in sexual rites.

The snake, alchemy and healing.

The snake wrapped around the wand is the alchemical symbol of the Philosophical Mercury in its primary state. The rod is sulfur absorbed by Mercury.

The snake is often used as a symbol of healing and medicine. This is partly due to the ancient belief that the snake sheds its skin to restore youth and holds the secret of eternal life. According to mythology, Hermes (Mercury), the messenger of the gods, received a caduceus - a winged staff with the power to reconcile opponents, and when he decided to test it by placing it between two fighting snakes, they immediately wrapped the staff in peace among themselves. The snakes wrapped around the caduceus symbolize the interaction of opposing forces. Carl Jung considers them the emblem of homeopathic medicine, the main position of which can be formulated as "treatment of like with like."

The snake coiled around a gnarled staff is the emblem of the Greek god of healing Asclepius (Aesculapius), who is believed to even be able to resurrect the dead.

Both the staff of Asclepius and the caduceus are used in heraldry to represent medicine. The snake wrapped around the bowl is a symbol of modern medicine.

Viper.

Like all snakes, it symbolizes deceit and evil. As one of the four faces of the devil, according to St. Augustine, the viper "is sin," especially envy. It is believed that she envied the happiness of Adam and Eve in Eden.

Cobra.

The power of the snake in its more dangerous expression is symbolized both in India and in Egypt by a cobra rising vertically and spreading its hood.

In India, cobra deities (nagas) are considered sacred, they are symbols of protection. As the legend tells, once during his wanderings, the Buddha was so exhausted, walking through the hot desert, that he fell down exhausted. A cobra crawling past inflated its hood and covered the Buddha with it from the deadly scorching rays of the Sun, like an umbrella (subsequently, the Buddha was depicted sitting under the shelter of a cobra with seven hoods). Waking up in the shadows, the Buddha touched the snake with two fingers in gratitude, and the fingerprints (two round spots, similar to glasses) remained with her forever.

The Indian cobra is often depicted with gems on its hood, which symbolizes spiritual values. But along with them, the cobra also symbolizes anxiety and fear.

Python.

The python is usually associated with the water element as a vital substance (a symbol of the flood) and with the male fertilizing force. The python takes on phallic significance in initiation rites, although this is not its only or most important symbolic significance. Like all snakes, the python symbolizes potential life energy. It can also mean healing power.

In the Middle Ages, snakes were considered a symbol of home protection. So, in Switzerland, the Baltic countries, in Austria, they often lived in houses. People believed that snakes not only did not harm their owners, but, on the contrary, patronized them and could attack enemies at home (in those days, snakes were considered poisonous).

We see how diverse and mysterious the symbolism of this unusual creature - snakes. However, the information presented in this material is far from complete. In the following publications, we will continue to study this fascinating and deep topic, so stay tuned, it will be interesting!

Prepared by: Yulia Matveeva (Russia)

The snake is a symbol that has left a noticeable mark in the history and culture of many countries. For many centuries, it has caused people to associate with death and rebirth at the same time. Some peoples deified reptiles, others trembled before them. What is known about this mysterious symbol, which haunts researchers even today?

The snake is a symbol of healing

Historians believe that for the first time people guessed to use the image of a snake as an emblem of healing in the second millennium BC. This happened in Ancient Babylon, which researchers explain by the cult of animals that existed in this state. Initially, the reptile was depicted without attributes, but gradually they appeared.

Of course, one cannot fail to mention the most famous symbol. A bowl with a snake is an emblem that appeared in medicine around the seventh century BC. At the same time, the image of the daughter of Aesculapius Gigeia, holding a vessel and a reptile, was actively used. As you know, in ancient times, many diseases were treated with the help of a bowl served as a container for it. The return of this image, forgotten for many years, took place already in the 16th century on the initiative of Paracelsus.

What other attributes were added to (snake)? The ancient people were not limited to the cup, the staff of Asclepius was also popular. Asclepius is a mythical Greek healer who was credited with divine origin. Among his many talents was the ability to resurrect the dead. The legend says that once it was the snake that helped the healer to revive the murdered son.

Christianity

The snake is a symbol that in the Christian faith is associated with good and evil at the same time. On the one hand, the image of a reptile shedding its skin is associated with Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself and ascended to heaven.

On the other hand, in the Bible, the snake is presented as a tempter, deftly tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Therefore, this image speaks of deceit, greed, disobedience. It is not surprising that the reptile was often endowed with a female head; such drawings symbolized temptation, temptation.

Buddhism, Hinduism

The snake is a symbol that was noted not only in the Christian religion. For example, in Hinduism, sacred cobras, which were considered as protectors, were highly respected. The Hindus believed that the reptiles guard the gods while they enjoy their rest. It is not surprising that the image of Vishnu sitting in the ring of a cobra has become widespread.

In general, in Buddhism there was an ambivalent attitude towards snakes. On the one hand, the followers of this religion also revered the cobras. This can be confirmed by the image of the Buddha, which is comfortably located in the shade of a cobra that protects it from the sun with the help of its hoods. Some Buddhists even saw snakes (cobras) as the most powerful god who reincarnates in order to save humanity from hunger and disease.

On the other hand, a creeping reptile depicted next to a pig and a rooster was considered by adherents of religion as a symbol of sins.

Greece, Rome

The snake is a symbol of wisdom. This statement was never questioned by the inhabitants of Ancient Greece, who loved to depict a reptile in the hands of famous healers and saviors: Hippocrates, Aesculapius, Hermes. In addition, the snake was considered the hypostasis of the legendary healer Aesculapius, who is credited with serious achievements in the field of medicine.

Confirmation that the snake is a symbol associated with wisdom in Ancient Greece can also be the fact that the inhabitants of the country dedicated this reptile to the god Apollo. The Greeks had no doubt that the beautiful god not only protects people from the forces of darkness, but also gives them knowledge. A similar function was assigned to Athena, often depicted in the company of a snake.

Of course, symbols with snakes were very popular in ancient Rome. They were given a meaning similar to that described above, so reptiles were often depicted in the hands of local gods and heroes.

In Russian fairy tales

In Russian culture, the dual symbol of the snake has also been repeatedly noted. The value to it, as in most other countries, was attributed to ambiguous. On the one hand, in many fairy tales one can find a mention that a person who has eaten the heart of a reptile will be able to learn the language of the animal and plant world. This suggests that creeping reptiles were associated in Rus' with wisdom and knowledge.

On the other hand, the famous Serpent Gorynych acts as an insidious villain, with whom brave heroes are forced to risk their lives to fight. The victory over him means nothing else than the absolute triumph of good over evil.

two snakes

Often found in the culture of various countries and an even more mysterious symbol - two snakes. If reptiles twine with each other, such an emblem is associated with the union of two powerful forces - Fate and Time. The image of two creeping reptiles, tightly clinging to each other's tail, hints that even two complete opposites come from the same source.

Often found in culture and the image of two snakes wrapped around a staff or tree. An example of such a symbol is the famous caduceus - an emblem used in medicine. This also indicates the duality of reptiles, capable of bringing poison and healing, health and disease at the same time.

Various images

What does the image of an innocent child playing with a snake symbolize? Such a picture in many cultures is associated with paradise, lost and found again. She also speaks of the liberation of the immortal soul from the corruptible world. For some nations, this image was considered as a symbol of triumph over enemies, liberation from slavery.

In some cultures, it is also customary to depict a snake next to a deer or an eagle. This image speaks of the opposition of light and darkness, and it is the snake that is responsible for the darkness. The combination of a creeping reptile with an eagle or a deer indicates cosmic unity, balance. The reptile that wraps around the female body testifies to the relationship between the feminine and the masculine. A snake curled up in a knot evokes associations with a hidden power that is already ready to break out, overcoming all obstacles in its path.

Alchemists and magicians never doubted that the snake is a symbol of wisdom. Alchemists in the Middle Ages actively used the image of a snake wrapping around a pole. This picture symbolizes the subjugation of the life force. The symbol, which depicts a reptile crawling through a circle, indicated alchemical fusion.

Various cultures

Why did the symbol (snake) not play a special role in Chinese culture? Because it is extremely rarely separated from the dragon, the image of which has attracted the Chinese from time immemorial. However, it is known that the creeping reptile in this country was associated with the most negative qualities - cunning, deceit, anger, hatred.

The Celts were much more favorable to reptiles, as evidenced by the surviving epics. Snakes were perceived by them as symbols of rebirth, healing. They were often depicted with a ram's head, horns - in this case, the emblem indicated male power. And the image of the goddess Brigid, who adorned her hair with a coiled snake, symbolized fertility, reliably protected the human kingdom from dark forces.

The Aztecs traditionally attributed power to snakes, the ability to command the elements. They also associated these symbols with knowledge, wisdom. In the legends of this people, snakes often acted as mythical ancestors, brave heroes. Reptiles enjoyed great honor in Africa. They were considered as signs of imperial power, symbolized immortality, the return to the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Our days

It is curious that the symbol of the snake has managed to maintain great popularity in our days. It is this image that people from various countries invariably continue to choose, intending to make themselves a spectacular tattoo. The fair sex choose this image, as it is associated with temptation, the forbidden fruit. Men most like the symbols of cobras and other snakes that can emphasize such qualities as authority, the desire to dominate. Those who consider reptiles as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge prefer pictures depicting snakes with bowls.