Serpent Symbology

Serpent Symbology

The symbology of the serpent or snake is convoluted, ambiguous and heavily reliant on cultural interpretation. However, in its most basic state the serpent or snake is a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, energy and power. As an animal it contrasts heavily with the physical nature of man and indeed most animals. It's cold-blooded, hairless, featherless, armless and legless appearance opposes and complements man's physical being Ð'-- in this sense it can be seen as a direct rival to man. The natural symbolic state of this animal also represents the lower psyche, hidden psychosis and what is unusual, incomprehensible and mysterious Ð'-- the part of which people have the least control over (Chevalier & Gheerbert).

Throughout myth and world cultures the serpent has consistently been associated with a degree sexual ambivalence as it symbolises both masculinity and femininity. Due to it encompassing and representing both genders simultaneously, it has often taken on the role of a creator god. The serpent symbolizes the creator god not only in Amazonia, Mexico, and Australia, but also in Sumer, Egypt, Persia, India, the Pacific, Crete, Greece, and Scandinavia (Cirlot). The Chaldeans even had just one word for snake and life (Chevalier & Gheerbert). It is an old god found at the beginning of most, if not all cosmologies (Chevalier & Gheerbert).

The Ouroboros is the depiction of a circular snake eating its own tail. This represents again the idea of the giver of life and self-fertilization, though expands it further implying motion continuity and the eventual eternal home-coming (Chevalier & Gheerbert).

Possibly the greatest influence on the serpents symbolic meaning (that is relevant in today's western culture) was the penning of Genesis, the first book of the Pentateuch, by Moses. Genesis, along with the majority of symbolism in the bible, depicts the serpent as a negative and accursed, as it is associated with the deception and treachery of Satan. "And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life" (Gen 3:13-14 KJV). Most medieval references to the serpent are that of Eve's serpent and the traits it represents are that of the devil (Chevalier & Gheerbert). Throughout the first five books of the Old Testament serpents play an integral part in spiritual work, power and punishment Ð'-- cementing its place as an important spiritual symbol.

In the apocryphal book of Revalation, John also refers Satan as a serpent (Rev 12: 9, 20:2 KJV). In Pauls letter to the Corinthians he states, "Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents" (1Co 10:9 KJV).

In the book of Exodus Aaron casts his staff on ground before the Pharaoh and it is transformed in a serpent. "And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent" (Exo 7:10 KJV). On this occasion the serpent imbues a symbol of pure power, for one that can control the serpent symbolically has true power, power over all things Ð'-- life, death and knowledge.

It is also important to note that the surroundings, settings, or locations a serpent is depicted in have a vast effect on its meaning and vary significantly from place to place. For example the serpent of the desert is violent life taking creature: "They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust" (Deu 32:24 KJV). Whereas, for example, the serpent of the sea is representative of knowledge and incorporates wisdom of the deep into is symbology.

Later, in the book of Numbers, Moses recounts of a time when fiery serpents were sent from God as a punishment for sin. "And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died" (Num 21:6 KJV). It is following this punishment that Bible takes a dualistic approach to the meaning and symbology of the snake. Moses is commanded to fashion a fiery serpent out of bronze and display it on a pole. And whoever had been bitten by the deadly serpents, and looked at the bronze serpent would be healed (Num 21:9 KJV).