The snake is a symbol of what? Positive and negative image values

The snake is a symbol that has left a notable mark in the history and culture of many countries. Over the centuries, it has caused people to associate with death and rebirth at the same time. Some nations deified the reptiles, others trembled before them. What is known about this mysterious symbol, which does not give rest to researchers even in our days?

The snake is a symbol of healing

Historians believe that for the first time to use the image of a snake in the role of the emblem of healing people have guessed in the second millennium BC. It happened in Ancient Babylon that the researchers explain the cult of animals that existed in this state. Initially, the reptile was depicted without attributes, but gradually they appeared.

Of course, we can not fail to mention the most famous symbol. A bowl with a snake is an emblem that appeared in medicine around the seventh century BC. At the same time, the image of the daughter of Aesculapius Giguia, holding a vessel and reptile, was actively used. As is known, in ancient times many diseases were treated with the help of snake venom, and the bowl served as a receptacle for him. The return of this image, forgotten for many years, occurred already in the 16th century on the initiative of Paracelsus.

What other attributes did the symbol (snake) add to in medicine ? The ancient people did not confine themselves to the bowl, and the staff of Asclepius enjoyed popularity. Asclepius is a mythical Greek healer, to whom the divine origin was attributed. Among his many talents was the ability to resurrect the dead. Legend has it that one day the snake helped the healer revive the murdered son of King Minos.

Christianity

The snake is a symbol that in the Christian faith is associated with good and evil at the same time. On the one hand, the image of the reptile that drops the skin is associated with Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself and ascended to heaven.

On the other hand, in the Bible the snake is presented as a tempter, dexterously tempting Eve to regale the forbidden fruit. Therefore, this image speaks of insidiousness, greed, disobedience. Not surprisingly, the reptile was often endowed with a female head, such drawings symbolized temptation, temptation.

Buddhism, Hinduism

The snake is a symbol that is noted not only in the Christian religion. For example, in Hinduism, the sacred cobras, which were regarded as defenders, enjoyed great reverence. Hindus believed that reptiles guard the gods while they enjoy rest. It is no wonder that the image of Vishnu sitting in the ring of the cobra became very widespread.

In general, in Buddhism there was an ambivalent attitude towards snakes. On the one hand, the followers of this religion also revered the cobras. This can be confirmed by the image of the Buddha, who comfortably settles in the shade of a cobra that protects him from the sun with the help of his hoods. Some Buddhists even saw in snakes (cobra) the most powerful god who reincarnates in order to save mankind from hunger and disease.

On the other hand, the creeping reptile, pictured next to the pig and the rooster, was considered by religious adherents as a symbol of sins.

Greece, Rome

The snake is a symbol of wisdom. This statement has never been questioned by the inhabitants of ancient Greece, who loved to portray the reptile in the hands of the famous healers and rescuers: Hippocrates, Aesculapius, Hermes. In addition, the snake was considered the hypostasis of the legendary healer Aesculapius, to whom serious achievements in the field of medicine are attributed.

Confirmation that the snake is a symbol associated with wisdom in ancient Greece can also be served by the fact that this reptilian inhabitants of the country were dedicated to the god Apollo. The Greeks did not doubt that the beautiful god not only protects people from the forces of darkness, but also gives them knowledge. A similar function was assigned to the goddess of wisdom Athena, often portrayed in the company with a snake.

Of course, symbols with snakes were very popular in the territory of ancient Rome. Value they were given the same as described above, so reptiles are often portrayed in the hands of local gods and heroes.

In Russian fairy tales

In Russian culture, the dual symbol of the snake has also been repeatedly noted. Value to him, as in most other countries, was attributed ambiguous. On the one hand, in many tales one can find a reference to the fact that a person who has eaten the heart of a reptile can learn the language of the animal and vegetable world. This suggests that creeping reptiles were associated in Russia with wisdom and knowledge.

On the other hand, the famous Serpent Gorynych acts as an insidious villain, with whom the brave warriors are forced to fight with their lives. Victory over him means nothing else than the absolute triumph of good over evil.

Two snakes

Often found in the culture of different countries and even more mysterious symbol - two snakes. If reptiles swish with each other, this emblem is associated with the union of two powerful forces - Destiny and Time. The image of two creeping reptiles, firmly clinging to the tail of each other, hints at the fact that even two complete opposites come from the same source.

Often found in the culture and the image of two snakes, obkazivshy staff or tree. An example of such a symbol is the famous caduceus - the emblem used in medicine. This also indicates the duality of reptiles, capable of bringing poison and healing, health and disease simultaneously.

Different Images

What symbolizes the image of an innocent child playing with a snake? Such a picture in many cultures is associated with paradise, lost and found again. She also speaks of the liberation of the immortal soul from the corruptible world. In some nations, this image was seen as a symbol of triumph over enemies, liberation from slavery.

In some cultures, it is also customary to depict a snake next to a deer or an eagle. This image speaks of the opposition of light and darkness, and the snake answers for the darkness. The combination of a creeping reptile with an eagle or a deer indicates a cosmic unity, balance. The reptile that binds the female body shows the relationship between the female and the masculine. The snake curled by the knot causes associations with a hidden force that is already ready to break out, overcoming all obstacles in its path.

The fact that the snake - the symbol of wisdom, never doubted the alchemists and magicians. Alchemists in the Middle Ages actively used the image of a snake wrapping a pole. This picture symbolizes the subordination of the life force. The symbol on which the reptile is depicted, creeping through the circle, indicated alchemical fusion.

Different cultures

Why did the symbol (snake) not play a special role in the culture of China? Because this reptile very rarely separated from the dragon, the image of which from time immemorial attracted the Chinese. However, it is known that the creeping reptile in this country was associated with the most negative qualities - cunning, deceit, anger, hatred.

Much more favorable to reptiles were Celts, as evidenced by the preserved epics. Snakes were perceived by them as symbols of rebirth, healing. They were often depicted with a ram's head, horns - in this case the emblem indicated the male power. And the image of the goddess Brigitta, who adorned her hair with a curled snake, symbolized fertility, reliably defended the human kingdom from the dark forces.

The Aztecs traditionally attributed power to snakes, the ability to command elements. Also these symbols were associated with them with knowledge, wisdom. In the traditions of this people, snakes often acted as mythical ancestors, brave heroes. Great reverence reptiles enjoyed in Africa. They were seen as signs of imperial power, symbolized immortality, the return to the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Our days

It is curious that the symbol of the snake has managed to keep great popularity in our days. It is this image invariably continues to be chosen by people from different countries, intending to make themselves an effective tattoo. Representatives of the fair sex choose this image, because it is associated with a temptation, a forbidden fruit. Men most like the symbols of cobras and other snakes, capable of emphasizing such qualities as domineering, the desire to dominate. Those who view the reptiles as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge prefer the pictures depicting snakes with bowls.