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. The bowl with the 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 timesmany diseases were treated with snake venom, and the 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 the symbol (snake) in medicine? 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 of King Minos.
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 a ring became widespread.cobras.
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, the 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 significant 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 the goddess of wisdom, Athena, often depicted in the company of a snake.
Of course, symbols with snakes were very popular in the territory of Ancient Rome. They were given the same meaning as described.higher, 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 Russia 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 more than the absolute triumph of good over evil.
Two snakes
Often found in the culture of different countries and 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 a 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, he alth and disease at the same time.
Various looks
Whatsymbolizes the image of an innocent child playing with a snake? 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 peoples, 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 a hidden power that is 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 depicting a reptile crawling through a circle indicated alchemical fusion.
Different cultures
Why didn't the symbol (snake) play a special role in Chinese culture? Because this reptile 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.
Much more kind tothe Celts were 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 snake symbol has managed to maintain great popularity even today. It is this image that people from different 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 of snakes with bowls.
