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The serpent, or snake, is one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols. The word is derived from Latin serpens, a crawling animal or snake. Snakes have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to humankind [1] [2] and represent dual expression [3] of good and evil. [4] In some cultures, snakes were fertility symbols.
The symbol of a serpent or snake played important roles in the religious traditions and cultural life of ancient Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan. [1] The serpent was a symbol of evil power and chaos from the underworld as well as a symbol of fertility, life, healing, and rebirth. [2]
Although not entirely a snake, the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl, in Mesoamerican cultures, particularly Mayan and Aztec, held a multitude of roles as a deity. [3] He was viewed as a twin entity which embodied that of god and man and equally man and serpent, yet was closely associated with fertility.
Chinese dragon, Chinese dragons tend toward snake taxonomy. Chì-sōng-zǐ (赤松子), sometimes said to have a serpent-endowed concubine. Gǔ (蠱), including use of snake-venom. Marquis of Sui's pearl, also known as Suí-Hóu-Zhū (隨侯珠), an amazing luminous pearl given to a ruler of Sui state by a grateful snake whose life he had saved.
The Caduceus, symbol of God Ningishzida, on the libation vase of Sumerian ruler Gudea, circa 2100 BCE.. Snake worship is devotion to serpent deities.The tradition is nearly universal in the religions and mythologies of ancient cultures, [1] where snakes were seen as the holders of knowledge, strength, and renewal.
The ouroboros is often interpreted as a symbol for eternal cyclic renewal or a cycle of life, death and rebirth; the snake's skin-sloughing symbolises the transmigration of souls. The snake biting its own tail is a fertility symbol in some religions: the tail is a phallic symbol and the mouth is a yonic or womb-like symbol. [9]
Serpent or The Serpent may refer to: Snake, a carnivorous reptile of the suborder Serpentes; Mythology and religion. Sea serpent, a monstrous ocean creature;
The word ousted adder, as adder went on to narrow in meaning, though in Old English næddre was the general word for snake. [12] The other term, serpent, is from French, ultimately from Indo-European *serp-'to creep', [13] which also gave Ancient Greek ἕρπω (hérpō) 'I crawl' and Sanskrit sarpá ‘snake’. [14]