21/01/2025
Similar to dragons, the Snake Symbol appears frequently in the cultures, traditions, and beliefs of people around the world. Snakes are revered as deities, or even as gods, in many cultures. They can represent very different, even opposing, concepts. They reflect the dual nature of life and the mystical, magical qualities of the spiritual world.
In the Year of the Snake, let’s explore the world with Newlifepack and discover prominent snake symbols in Eastern and Western cultures through the flow of human civilization.
This article is copyrighted by www.newlifepack.com. Please share from this site or cite the source when quoting.
In Eastern cultures, the snake symbol carries both positive and negative connotations. At the biological level, snakes are often associated with danger and death. However, in the realm of spiritual symbolism, snakes represent protective power and prosperity.
In cultures influenced by China, the snake is a symbol of wisdom and longevity. In cultures influenced by India, the snake symbol represents neutrality, the balance between good and evil, reflecting the concept of cosmic equilibrium.
Snakes are mysterious creatures with deadly venom. Large snakes, such as pythons, surprise with their size and ability to eliminate large prey. They have long been a source of fear in ancient Eastern societies.
The snake is the first creature in the “Five Poisons” (Ngũ Độc) group in Chinese folk belief. This group includes five creatures with the deadliest venom: the snake, scorpion, centipede, toad, and gecko. The Five Poisons not only represent dangerous creatures but also symbolize unforeseen disasters such as famine, plague, and misfortune.
In Journey to the West, the encounter with the Python Spirit (Mãng Xà Tinh) and the White-Flowered Snake Spirit (Bạch Hoa Xà Tinh) is one of the significant trials faced by the monk Xuánzàng and his disciples on their journey to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures. The author of Journey to the West cleverly incorporates folk elements to create the image of the snake demon, which is both wicked and cunning yet also alluring and attractive, regardless of whether it is female (Mãng Xà Tinh) or male (Bạch Hoa Xà Tinh).
The Python Demon (Chằn Tinh) is a giant, magical serpent in the Vietnamese folktale Thạch Sanh – Lý Thông. It is feared by everyone, and no one dares to confront it until Thạch Sanh, who was tricked into being sacrificed to the Python Demon, appears and decapitates the monster. The Python Demon symbolizes oppressive forces in society.
In Vietnamese folklore, the vengeful snake is featured in the story explaining the wrongful execution of the grand official Nguyễn Trãi. According to the story, because the official’s son killed a snake’s nest in the garden, the mother snake reincarnated as Nguyễn Trãi’s concubine and later became the murderer in the assassination of the king in the Lychee Garden (Lệ Chi Viên). This tale reflects ancient beliefs about the snake’s revenge.
Nāga is a giant snake with supernatural powers, often featured in Hindu texts. Kaliya is a notorious and venomous nāga described in the Bhagavata Purana, symbolizing destruction and devastation. Kaliya poisoned the Yamuna River before being subdued by the god Krishna.
Apep, or Apophis, is the god of darkness, chaos, and destruction in ancient Egyptian mythology, often depicted as a giant serpent. He is the greatest enemy of the sun god Ra, trying to stop him during his nightly journey through the underworld. The battle between Ra and Apep symbolizes the eternal struggle between light and darkness.
Ancient Egypt was one of the most developed civilizations in the East, with a rich cultural, artistic, scientific, and religious heritage. In ancient Egyptian culture, the snake played an important role as a symbol of strength, power, and protection. The snake was frequently depicted in royal art and religious rituals.
Wadjet is the cobra goddess, one of the two protective deities of the Pharaoh and the whole country of Egypt, alongside Nekhbet, the vulture goddess. Nekhbet represented Upper Egypt, while Wadjet represented Lower Egypt. Wadjet is often depicted as a woman with a lioness head, crowned with a cobra and the solar disk.
The Uraeus and Ouraeus are important symbols found on the crowns of the Pharaohs. The Uraeus, the cobra, represents Wadjet, while the Ouraeus, the vulture, represents Nekhbet. These symbols not only reflect the Pharaoh’s supreme power but also the sacred protection the goddesses provided to him and the kingdom of Egypt.
In Chinese culture, the snake is a symbol of wisdom and strength. The snake is associated with the supernatural and plays a role in maintaining the order of the cosmos. Concepts of snakes appeared early in ancient Chinese civilization and were passed down through myths, spiritual practices, and the rich system of folk symbols.
In ancient Chinese mythology, Nuwa is the goddess of creation and protector of the world. She is often depicted as half-woman, half-snake. Nuwa used her divine powers to mend the sky and maintain natural order. The image of the snake is closely tied to the protective power and the eternity of the universe.
Xuanwu is one of the Four Symbols (Tứ Tượng), representing the four elements that make up the universe according to ancient Chinese philosophy (Yijing). Xuanwu is often depicted as a creature combining a tortoise and a snake. This spirit animal symbolizes the North, winter, and eternity.
The Green Snake and White Snake are two popular snake demons in Chinese folklore. The White Snake symbolizes love and sacrifice, while the Green Snake represents strength and determination. The story reflects the dual nature of the snake in Chinese culture: wisdom and allure, strength and protection.
In Hinduism, the nāga (snake) is a mythical creature symbolizing both destruction and rebirth, serving as a metaphor for the balance and harmony of the universe. The snake is a spiritual being that connects humans with the divine. It plays an important role in traditions, cultures, and religious practices in India and in countries influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism.
Lord Shiva, one of the supreme gods in Hinduism, is often depicted with a snake (Nāga Vasuki) wrapped around his neck. Shiva is the god of destruction, and the snake symbolizes death. In Hinduism, destruction is not an end but a part of the endless cycle of creation, preservation, destruction, and rebirth.
Vasuki is the largest snake, the king of the nāgas. In the famous myth Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan), Vasuki is used as a rope to churn the ocean with the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) to find Amrita (the nectar of immortality). Vasuki becomes a symbol of the connection between good and evil, a perfect model of unity despite opposition.
In Buddhist tradition, especially in countries like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, the naga has a strong connection with the Buddha as a guardian deity and protector of the Dharma. The image of the naga can be found in nearly all Buddhist temples, shrines, and palaces. It symbolizes the power and purity of supernatural forces that help humans achieve wisdom and enlightenment.
In Buddhist scriptures, a naga named Mucalinda protected the Buddha while he meditated under the Bodhi tree. This naga coiled its body around the Buddha and spread its large hood to shield him from the rain and sun. Mucalinda’s actions represent reverence and protection for the Buddha and the Dharma. This story has inspired numerous artistic works, including paintings and sculptures, in Buddhist architecture. The naga in Buddhist culture symbolizes not only enlightenment but also the harmony between nature and the supernatural.
The image of the naga reached its aesthetic peak in Thailand, where Buddhism developed alongside rich folk traditions. Naga appears not only in legends but also in traditional festivals and religious practices, reflecting a deep belief in the protective power of this mystical creature.
In Thai culture, the Phaya Naga (King of the Nagas) is a mythical creature said to live in the Mekong River, along the border between Thailand and Laos. This area is associated with the mysterious phenomenon of fireballs. The Phaya Naga is believed to govern rivers and seas, control the weather, and bring about favorable rains and peaceful, prosperous lives.
According to legend, thousands of years ago, Cambodia was the island of Kouk Thlouk, ruled by the naga people. The Indian prince Kaundinya (Preah Thong) met the naga princess Soma (Neang Neak) in her beautiful woman form when he arrived on the island. After receiving the approval of the naga king, Kaundinya married Soma, and together they ruled the island. The Cambodian people consider themselves descendants of this royal union.
Cambodia was one of the earliest countries to embrace Hinduism and Buddhism. The image of the naga has become an important symbol in their culture. Naga often appears on the roofs, staircases, and doorways of temples, shrines, and palaces. The naga symbolizes protection, purity, and reverence in Cambodian culture.
This article is copyrighted by www.newlifepack.com. Please share from this site or cite the source when quoting.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Continue to Part 2: Snake Symbol in Eastern and Western Cultures (Part 2/2)
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