The serpent is a symbolic animal that has an extremely ambiguous, often contradictory, interpretation.
It is such a rich symbol that it would be impossible to trace here all of its meanings.
Yet, to penetrate in the general symbolism of the serpent, it’s important to understand that this animal is often conceived in opposition (either to another animal - which can be the bird) or to itself. The serpent contains then both light and darkness, good and evil, life and death, the masculine and the feminine.
Having this in mind, maybe it’s normal that we first assimilate the serpent to the Ouroboros, the tail-devouring snake: being the beginning (”materia prima”) and the end (the spirit), androgynous as well as unique and multiple.
It was also believed that the Ouroboros would rest at the base of the world - at the conjunction of chaos and cosmos, the unseen and the manifest.
Now you take the floor: what do you associate with the serpent?
When I was child I saw my uncle that kept the skin of a serpent in a little bottle of glass because, he said, it use to stop the blood in wounds.
I think the serpent is elegant and much instinctive.
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The serpent…was the one who tempted Eve on taking the fruit of knowledge, it is also seen at the foot of the Our Lady of Consolation while its head is being crushed, one more thing, it is seen on the symbol for medicine (Its venom is used to counter the poison, too). Therefore, I can say that the serpent is the temptation that could be crushed and can sometimes also be a cure.
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Savita,
I have read both your responses, aqs well as several others from so many diverse and incredible people. I’m in awe and I am going to try to illicit some response of my own even though your adventures keep pulling me from my own thoughts. Savita’s back yard sounds like an incredible land rich with incredible tales (and heads, and mid-sections — what a story!)
I also have found great inspiration from the Gnostic symbolismism behinD the image of the serpant. In these pre-Christian lessons, the serpant is the the symbol for Sophia, the goddess of wisdom (which also ties into El Domido’s references) But in Gnosticism there is no guilt associated — no garden of Eden mishaps — with the embrace of wisdom. Instead, you simply seek knowledgE; truth of the self, and then you will one day enter the pleroma (heavan). C.G. Jung was a great interpreter of this belief systen. He was once quoted in response to the question, “Do you believe in God?”, as saying, “I don’t need to believe in God, I KNOW God.” The serpant and all the images it invokes is deeply connected to this belief system.
Also Savita, I find it amazing and at the same time logical that a woman with a serant tattoed at the base of her spine would have such intense encounters with this co-existing species in her back yard. Fantastic writing!
My tattoe is a really well crafted, green serpant eating its own tail. I have it wrapped around my ankle. Above it is the Gnostic cross with the Greek words “light” and “life” written inside.
I don’t need to see yours, because I know its fierce and beautiful.
Peace and Love
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For me, serpent means (symbolizes) the harmony within the chaos.
Chaos, because of unpredicted and undefinded (for and by us) moves of serpent. Harmony, because of beauty of integral motion which is caused by the will (of serpent).
Serpent, also reminds me word of Jesus which I like so much and try to live by: “Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
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hi! well ive always thought of the serpent as a slithery horrible thing yet ive just started a new job as a medic and the british symbol for that is a lightning rod with a snake wrapped around it because of the healing powers they were believed to hav had back in the day when there were snake pits inside churches, this is all very greek tho, lol but its a nice symbol i think and lets me see the positive side of the serpent!
here is the direct quote from the army website:
The Rod
The rod and serpent goes back to ancient Greece and a man called Aesculapius who lived around 1256 BC. He was a doctor of such renown that legend tells that he was able to bring the dead back to life. Pluto, the God of the underworld, was so appalled at not gaining the souls of the dead that he complained to Jupiter the head of all Gods. Jupiter obliged by slaying Aesculapius with a thunderbolt – this is the rod.
The Serpent
After his death Aesculapius himself became a god who was worshipped in hundreds of temples. The temples quickly became places of healing for the sick and were used as the first hospitals. Within each one there was a circular pit that contained a species of snake that was harmless, but whose forked tongue was believed to have healing properties – this is the origin of the snake.
Ever since those days the Rod and the Serpent have been used as a symbol of medicine throughout the world.
i hope youve found this of slight intrest and once again thank you for the stories!
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My, my my, Parabombastus you do sound so much like our Fabrice from down the road.
Welcome to the International Salon.
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For me the serpent is a negative force that can hypnotize and kill with a kiss, a cold touch, a manipulator that humans cannot fight or resist, a veninous bite. A force that once conquered you separates you from love, from light, from hapyness. A force that if YOU conquered and became its master will take you up to the sky like a rocket and you will shine pure and strong like a star. But who can master it? Only a son of God…!
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The ‘Naga’ is a protector…when The Buddha was in the sublime state of samadi and threatened with the turmoil of a storm a five headed Naga rose to protect Him…’Nagas’ can be found at the entrance to most Buddhist temples here in Thailand keeping evil at bay.. A far different perspective from the fear that was instilled in me as a child by my Christian parents…
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I always found it interesting that snakes cannot hear like most creatures. They are creatures of the earth but they do not have ears (the word is in earth). I know there is a hidden message there…
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As you mentioned,one might think at two distinct things,evil and the oposite.Evil if we think at the temptation in Paradise,but also here we have nore options.The tree of knowledge is the true temptation,not the transgression of Fathers words.
Or we think of the snakes of Esculap,the ancient doctor,and is symbol of the cure.
I dont like to see snakes.
Another think comes in my mind is the title of one of my favourite book”The Snake” by Mircea Eliade.In that book the snake is a kind of damned prince,with supernatural powers,that passes through time for succeding finaly in takink his half ,the woman that completes him.Now the spell is over,and he remains human.The novela is very interesting,with labyrinthic parts,has a sort of hypnotic power.Nice love story.
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My son Mathias taught me about the serpent when he was five years old. He explained to me that snake is the symbol of eternal peace because he is one part humanity and one part nature. He said that when people see evil in a snake they are seeing the humanity. When they see the good they are seeing nature”
Anytime I see a serpent now, I cannot help but see it as a symbol of hope and a reminder to stay grounded.
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Dear Catherine,
As Thelma explained, the serpent staff as a symbol of many medical organizations today goes back to Greek Mythology.
Asclepius - God of Medicine (Greek Asklepios) was the son of the Greek God Apollo (the God of Healing) and the nymph Coronis. According to Pindar Coronis, being with child from Apollo had an affair with Ischys. Therefore, Apollo asked his sister Artemis to kill her. As Coronis was being cremated, Apollo had second thoughts and saved his son by cesarean section. His son received the name Asclepius that means, “to cut open”. Apollo placed him in the care of the Centaur Cheiron from whom he learnt surgery and the arts of a Chiropractor.
One day Asclepius saw a snake coming out from a crack in the earth and it crawled up his staff. Asclepius killed the snake but at once, another snake appeared with an herbal leaf in its mouth. It placed this leaf on the dead snake and the snake immediately came back to life. From that day, the serpent became his companion and traveled with him on his staff.
Zeus killed him after he had brought back to life a dead person.
His sanctuaries or temples were places of healing. The sick persons slept there and the god would induce cures during their sleep or tell them remedies during their dreams.
Actually, there are two symbols used in medicine. One is the staff with a single serpent the Aesculapius and the other the Caduceus the staff with two snakes and wings on top – this is associated with Hermes (Mercury) – the messenger of the Gods. Apollo gave him this staff and it is to bring peace and to overcome disease. Snakes like medicines can be very poisonous and they rejuvenate by shedding their skin, just as we rejuvenate by rest and sleep.
Doctors swear the HIPPOCRATIC OATH and in ancient times, it started like this: “I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygeia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant”…
I hope this is helpful.
With kindness,
Satora
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