Snake symbolism is present all around the world. Snakes, or serpents, can carry a variety of different meanings.
In some cultures, snakes are thought to symbolize regeneration and renewal, female sexuality, and agricultural fertility. To others, snakes can also have a negative connotation, such as symbolizing malice or poison.
What Does A Snake Symbolize?
- Charm
- Earth
- Healing
- Primal Energy
- Protection
- Rebirth and Eternity
- Stealth
- Wisdom
Charm
Snakes are considered to symbolize charm and temptation. This is shown in the Book of Genesis where the snake was the only one to have tempted Eve.
Ancient snake charmers would put snakes on display and the cobra would mirror their movements. Because of this, snakes are considered to be hypnotically charming.
Earth
Snakes are thought to represent the earth by Native Americans. Specifically, serpents are always close to the ground or in the ground. Snakes are able to be in tune with the earth in ways that other living beings cannot.
Healing
Snakes are considered to represent healing. As a result, a symbol including a snake can be found throughout medicine.
In places such as ancient Greece and cultures like the Celtic, Nordic, and Hebrew, snakes were associated with healing and medicine.
Because many snakes are known to be venomous, people think that ancient healers believed that exposing someone to snake venom could make someone stronger.
In addition, since snakes shed their skin, it is thought that snakes represented the body renewing itself.
Primal Energy
Snakes are thought to symbolize primal energy referred to as kundalini. In Indian traditions, kundalini is a kind of feminine energy as well as a symbol of primal male energy.
Kundalini is a healing form of energy that is derived from the base of the spine. The healing can only be activated through a variety of spiritual practices.
Some believe that awakening kundalini energy can allow enlightenment in the future.
Protection
Even though some people possess a fear of snakes, this animal is considered to symbolize protection. In addition, snakes are also thought to symbolize the idea of needing to strengthen one’s boundaries as a way to protect themselves.
Rebirth and Eternity
Snakes are thought to symbolize transformation, renewal, and rebirth. This is because snakes are known to shed their skin multiple times throughout the year.
Snakes can also create a spiral with their body. As a result, snakes are also considered to symbolize eternity.
Stealth
A snake is able to sneak up on prey before it’s even aware that the snake is there. Therefore, snakes symbolize stealth. Snakes can move in silence making them be thought of as sneaky as well.
Wisdom
Snakes symbolize wisdom as many cultures view snakes as ancient beings who possess primordial knowledge. In Asian and Celtic cultures, snakes are associated with dragons.
Snake Totem Animal
People born with the snake totem animal are always evolving or changing their circumstances. It is vital for people with this totem animal to stay grounded to the earth.
You may enjoy nature and activities that are outdoors. In addition, you can hold a group’s attention because of the charisma and poise you possess.
The snake totem serves as a warning to people. So, if you take the warning seriously, it can change your luck.
Snake Spirit Animal
Pros of a Snake Spirit Animal
- You are charismatic.
- You want to change things when something seems wrong.
- The snake spirit animal helps you understand and embrace sensuality in your body and spirit by opening the base chakra. This is referred to as the “Kundalini Awakening.” These awakenings are described to be where powerful transformation snakes place.
Cons of a Snake Spirit Animal
- If you have the snake as your spirit animal, be careful and listen to warnings to make sure you don’t end up in situations where there is a threat to your life or emotional well-being.
- You need to trust or intuition, especially in times of danger.
Meaning of Snake Eyes
Snake Eyes has positive and negative connotations. For some, Snake Eyes is associated with a bad play while gambling. Others view snake eyes as a symbol of healing and protection.
Two-Headed Snake
Due to a genetic condition called bicephaly, some snakes are born with two heads. However, this is an extremely rare phenomenon. A two-headed snake is considered to represent rebirth, transformation, and polarity.
If you ever encounter a two-headed snake, it’s important to self-reflect and consider if you have been of two minds. This can play a role in being able to make a decision if you’ve had two or more perspectives that have been holding you back from making a choice.
Snake Medical Symbol
The symbol of a serpent can be found on doctors’ degree certificates, insurance company logos, and more. This symbol involves a staff, the caduceus, with a snake coiled around it.
The caduceus is a symbol of peace and commerce. In fact, the symbol originates from the story of Asclepius, someone who was considered to be a god of healing.
This symbol is the official insignia of the United States Medical Corps, the Navy Pharmacy Division, and the Public Health Service.
Are Serpents a Good Omen?
In many places and cultures, snakes are considered to be good omens as a snake sighting can signify transformation, change, and in some cases, total rebirth. Many people and cultures consider snakes to have a positive connotation and can be deeply rooted in a place’s culture.
Dead Snake Symbolism
If you encounter a dead snake, it symbolizes that you need to enter a hibernation phase.
Since one of the things snakes symbolize is rebirth, a dead snake implies a reincarnation or transformation process. So, you may need to take a break before moving forward.
Snake Tattoo
A snake tattoo can represent transformation or ceremony. It also shows respect for the fears one may possess or that someone has overcome a significant fear.
In addition, snake tattoos can be seen as a symbol of power, strength, the beginning of a new chapter in your life, and new beginnings as a whole.
What Does a Serpent Symbolize in the Bible?
In Christianity, snakes have a negative connotation in many cases which has impacted how snakes may be perceived. Most of the direct Biblical references to snakes associate the animal with treachery, deceit, and trickery.
In Genesis, snakes are a symbol of the Devil, which makes some believe that the snake symbolizes evil, vice, and temptation.
What Does Seeing a Snake in Your Dreams Mean?
If you see a snake in your dreams, it can mean that you have issues or struggles that you haven’t dealt with or overlooked. However, a snake can appear in your dreams for many different reasons, such as you are feeling jealous about something. Or, perhaps, there is a threatening situation you’re dealing with.
How to Interpret a Snake Encounter
Question Your Decisions
When you encounter a snake, it could be a sign that you need to question a decision you made. You should take a step back and rethink.
Patience Does Not Equal Laziness
Patience should not be confused with laziness. So, when a snake appears in your path, you could take the encounter as a sign to slow down but not become lazy.
Throughout life, you should remember to keep moving forward rather than fall behind. When you stop being productive and develop laziness, it can be hard to overcome.
In fact, you can miss out on several opportunities if you remain stagnant. Therefore, see a snake encounter as motivation to be patient and determined.
Focus On Your Spirituality
When you encounter a snake, you can interpret it as a reminder that a higher force is guiding you. So, a snake encounter might also be telling you that you need to focus on your spirituality more.
Beware Of Negative Emotions
If you encounter a snake in your dream where several snakes are surrounding you, it’s a sign that you might be feeling overwhelming emotions, such as anxiety or suffocation.
You can also interpret this dream as you are facing too many choices that have a variety of outcomes. If this is too much to handle, it might be a sign to take a break to relax.
Do Not Be Hasty
Another way to interpret a snake encounter is to take it as a sign to avoid haste, moving at an excessive speed, or having urgency. Therefore, You should slow down by avoiding rushing through a task quickly and not miss out on experiences.
Beware Of Trusting People
Snakes are considered to be one of the most cunning animals, and if you encounter a snake it can be interpreted as a warning sign.
There might be people in your life who are manipulative and cunning. So, this should remind you to be wary of those you trust. But be careful not to push people away entirely.
It’s Time For Change
Encountering a snake can be a sign that you need to make a change in your life. This is because snakes are able to shed their skin. These changes can be large or small and could be eating better or being more active.
In addition, the snake encounter can also signify that change is imminent, and you might not be expecting it. Therefore, you should prepare yourself so that you are ready to deal with the change or sudden news.
What Should You Do When You See a Snake?
Many people think that encountering a snake is a bad omen for things to come. In reality, seeing a snake in your path should be taken as a warning of an imminent threat.
Snake Symbolism and Spiritual Meanings in Different Cultures
Snake Symbolism in Aboriginal Australian Culture
The rainbow serpent in Aboriginal Australian culture is considered to be an immortal being and the creator of God. The snake can be found in paintings and carvings and it symbolizes strength, creativity, fertility and food, and continuity.
These snakes are believed to live in waterholes and travel between these water holes underground.
Ancient Egypt Snake Symbolism
In Ancient Egypt, snakes are highly revered. In fact, you can find the cobra as a part of the crowns worn by great pharaohs.
Sun Ra, considered the creator, was thought to be protected by a serpent. In addition, Egyptians believed that snakes symbolize eternal life as well as having healing properties.
Aztec and Mayan Culture Snake Symbolism
In Mayan and Aztec culture, snakes were thought to symbolize divinity, rebirth, and spiritual power. They thought snakes should be viewed with awe but also fear.
Some Aztec and Mayan deities, such as Quetzalcoatl, Coatlicue, Tlaloc, and Q’uq’umatz, were associated with snakes and had serpent-like qualities.
Snake Symbols in Buddhism
In Buddhism, snakes are thought to represent protection. In one story, a giant cobra-like serpent known as Mucalinda protects Buddha from a storm.
Celtic Snake Symbolism
In Celtic culture, snakes are thought to represent a deep connection to the underworld and heavens, transformative healing, and graceful travel over any terrain. According to Celtic lore, snakes were associated with guarding treasure, as they are viewed to have an archetypal energy versus just being viewed as an animal.
Chinese Symbolism
In China, snakes are thought to symbolize longevity, wisdom, and good fortune. For others, such as some Martial Arts practitioners, snakes represent initiation, power, and strength.
Every 12 years, the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Snake. So those born during the Year of the Snake are thought to be intuitive individuals.
The snake is also the creator deity as goddess Nüwa who was part serpent and part human. It’s believed that she created the first humans out of clay.
Snake Symbolism in Chinese Astrology and Zodiac Signs
According to the Chinese Animal Zodiac, the snake is considered to be a symbol of working with herbs, shrewdness, and insightfulness. So, people born under the sign of the snake are thought to be charming, have wisdom, and be clever.
Indian Culture and Snake Symbolism
In Indian culture, snakes are worshiped as gods in some places and are generally highly regarded. Snakes symbolize the awakening of kundalini energy, and the cobra is the most revered snake.
Japanese Culture and Snake Symbolism
In Japanese culture, snakes are symbolic and are associated with Ryujin in some areas of the country. Ryujin was the tutelary deity of the sea in Japanese mythology and possessed the ability to transform into a human shape.
Snakes are revered by people who follow Shintoism.
Snake Symbols in Native American Culture
Anishinabe People and Snake Symbolism
The Anishinaabe tribes include the Ojibwe, Chippewa, Algonquin, Ottawa, Mississauga, Nipissing, and some Oji-Cree and Potawatomi tribes. These tribes viewed snakes as powerful and dangerous beings.
Therefore, it was expected to respect snakes. So, if one were to treat a snake in a disrespectful way, there would be consequences.
Cherokee Snake Symbolism
The Cherokee associated snaked with great power. So, they revered and feared snakes. It was important for the Cherokee to never kill or hurt a snake and to give them plenty of space.
The rattlesnake was considered the chief of all snakes. In fact, one legend shares the belief that the rattlesnake is believed to have once been a man who transformed in order to save human beings destroyed by the sun.
Snake Symbolism in Hopi Culture
For the Hopi people, snakes are thought to be the umbilical cords that connect humans to the Earth as they hold the belief that all living beings are connected to the earth. In Hopi culture, winged serpents appear in creation stories about who once reigned over the earth.
Lakota Sioux and Blackfoot Snake Legends
In Lakota Sioux and Blackfoot legends, snakes have a negative connotation. According to one tale, a giant serpent called Unhcegila was blamed when someone died or disappeared.
In fact, it was believed that Unhcegila would cause flesh to rot and Earth to become infertile.
Pueblo and Ojibwa People
The Pueblo and Ojibwa people viewed snakes in a favorable light. While the Objibwa people viewed snakes as healers and symbols of rebirth, the Pueblo thought snakes to be a symbol of fertility.
Snake Clans
In Native American culture, clans are a system of community organization and the division of labor. Some of these clans are associated with snakes. These include the Chippewa, Creek, and Hopi.
Snake Symbolism in India
In Hindu culture, the people consider the black cobra to be a sacred animal. Snakes are thought to symbolize fertility, protection, healing, and regeneration to the Hindu people. Serpents can also reflect the powers of fertility, rebirth, and death.
Also a symbol of awakening, female empowerment, and transformation, snakes are associated with the goddess Kali. Kali is viewed as powerful and as someone to not mess with.