Snake Symbolism: A Guide

This simple and comprehensive guide will show you the many fascinating meanings attributed to our brand's favorite animal.

People are frightened by snakes, so much so that they are unaware of their deep meanings and spiritual significance. 🤔

As the first animal given meaning by man, the Bible mentions a living snake in the Garden of Eden, in the Old Testament. In the West today, snakes are considered evil because of this ophidian.

🐍 As each culture has developed its own symbol for the snake, there are a variety of meanings associated with this animal. However, certain meanings are common to many cultures living (or having lived) in different parts of the world.

1) The Snake and its Spiritual Symbolism

 

There are many spiritual symbolisms associated with the snake, including:

• The knowledge of 📚
• Perfidy and/or cunning
• Sense of wisdom
• Adaptation
• A new beginning
• Transmutation and transformation

The moulting of this animal is a symbol of the cycle of life, as it sheds its old skin and replaces it with a new one.

 

 This meaning is embodied by the Ouroboros, the famous snake that bites its own tail 🔄. The latter symbolizes balance, the eternity of creation, the cyclical aspect of the universe, and immortality. The symbol of the snake eating its own tail can therefore be compared to the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol.

The snake is linked to the earth because it crawls on the ground. It is an allegory of the primordial force animating all life. With its fine phallic shape, it also represents the "umbilical cord" linking mankind to Mother Earth.

Finally, the snake often symbolizes the link between two opposing forces: good and evil, moon and sun, water and fire 💧/🔥. This animal is therefore the embodiment of duality and the quest for balance.

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2) Symbolism of the snake in psychoanalysis

The symbol of the snake in psychoanalysis is positive. As a spiritual animal, the snake slithers into your life to bring about significant change. It wants you to let go of the past, your guilt, and focus on the present ⌚. When the snake sheds its skin, it invites you to let go of your old perceptions of things so that a new "you" can be reborn.

Since he also wants your spirituality to grow, the snake will watch over your path to a better tomorrow ☀️. Expect the snake to warn you when you're going too fast, and to guide you in the right direction when you're lost.

 

 According to renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, the snake is a phallic symbol representing the male sex. It therefore embodies desire and the sexual drive. 💘

In the thesis of a second famous psychoanalyst Carl Jung, the snake is rather this representation of the pair of opposites described above (night/day, shadow/light, good/evil, ...).

What does seeing snakes mean spiritually?

3) The Symbol of the Intertwined Serpents

 

The image of two snakes coiled together in a spiral is common to many cultures. This union can symbolize several things:

the connection between primary forces
the duality of opposites ✅❌
Spiritual communication
Union with the divine
The magical or organic joining of what was once fragmented
Medicine and medical sciences (see caduceus below)

The two coiled snakes may also recall the double-helix formation of DNA 🧬. In this, they symbolize the link between mind and body, and therefore a form of wisdom. Understanding the meaning a culture gives to this symbol with entangled snakes tells us a lot about it.

4) The Snake as a Totem Animal

A) Meaning of the Snake Totem
The Snake as totem animal represents the duality of good 😇 and evil 😈. People whose totem is the Snake tend to be able to do both. They are generally dynamic and impulsive. For this reason, they need to be wary of their decisions. For example, an unexpected trip can be disastrous, but it can also be a lot of fun. As long as you plan for the unexpected, you're in the clear.

Your friends and family feel your presence as pleasant and protective. People born under the Snake totem are cunning and very flexible. They can adapt quickly to any situation, and turn it to their advantage.

These people are born with the ability to rid themselves of guilt, and may be attracted to occult knowledge, as with Witchcraft 🧙🏼, or Shamanism. But they can also make excellent healers thanks to their natural ability to balance energies, and their great vital energy

 

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 B) The different snake totems

There are two main types of Snake totems, relating to the two hunting methods used by these reptiles.

Constrictor Snake Totem: people with a constrictor-type snake totem are powerful and intimidating 💪. However, they can also be gentle. They are also capable of taking action to achieve their goals. People with the constrictor snake totem are focused, trust their instincts and can sense other worlds. However, they sometimes tend to "bite off more than they can chew", but always seem to land on their feet. People with the constrictor snake totem should be careful not to overprotect their friends and loved ones, at the risk of suffocating them.

Venomous Snake Totem: people with a poisonous snake totem are magnetically charismatic. They communicate very well and warn others before they strike. People with this type of spirit animal move quickly through life's transformations and stages. They will also defend their position when a situation becomes difficult ⚔️. However, they know when it's appropriate to retreat.

People with this snake totem heal quickly and effectively from past traumas. They also spend time detoxifying from outside forces that pollute their energy body.

 

Are snakes a good omen?

5) Serpent symbolism in civilizations

A) Symbolism of the snake in the Bible

Snakes are mentioned several times in the Bible. The best-known appearance of a snake in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 3. Nahash (a Hebrew term), the serpent in the Garden of Eden, convinces Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge 🌳 (not to be confused with the Tree of Life). But the Bible also mentions the serpent in Exodus chapters 4 and 7, and in Numbers.

In the Exodus passages, God transforms Moses' staff, his attribute, into a serpent to show him his power. Which, by the way, also impresses Pharaoh 😮! While in Numbers, Moses hangs a bronze snake from a staff to heal the Hebrews' plagues, including snakebites.

In all these passages, snakes are associated with the supernatural, although they can be benevolent or dangerous. Most people associate the serpent in Genesis with Satan 😈. But the Devil is not identified as being the snake, or as having possessed the snake in ancient texts. The serpent is simply cunning, playing the role of a trickster who brings temptation. The serpent's role in Genesis is to introduce free will into the mind of Man, teaching him about Good and Evil via the famous Original Sin.

 B) Symbolism of the snake in Egypt

In Egypt, the serpent was worshipped as a benevolent goddess. This divinity is personified in the Uraeus, a sacred object in the shape of a cobra, symbol of the Egyptian deity Wadjet. She was one of the first Egyptian goddesses, often depicted as a cobra. She was worshipped as the goddess of the Nile delta, and protector of all Lower Egypt. Her image (the Uraeus) was worn by pharaohs as an ornament atop the crown surrounding the heads of Egyptian kings 👑. The pharaoh was recognized only by wearing the uraeus, which gave him legitimacy.

Generally speaking, Egyptians often adorned themselves with jewelry featuring a snake, like this Egyptian Style Snake Bracelet, in order to win the favor of the Nile Delta goddess.

C) Native American snake symbolism

Snakes are revered in the mythology of certain California Native American cultures. Among the Anishinaabe tribes, it was believed that snake venom could cure illness, so it became the Symbol of Healing. Some Indian tribes associate the snake with fertility, due to its phallic form.

 

What do snakes symbolize negatively?

 

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D) Celtic Snake Symbolism

The viper 🐍 can withstand the cold, making it the only species of snake that the ancient Celts could observe at the time. These snakes burrow deep into the earth's belly, so the Celts saw in them the Symbol of Human Fertilization and thus the balance between masculine and feminine power, complementary in giving life.

The horned Celtic deity Cernunnos holds a serpent, indicating that he is the master of creation, fertility and cosmic balance. A creature of mystical origin, the Celts consider the snake to be the guardian of the afterlife.

E) Pre-Columbian snake symbolism

The snake is the most revered creature in Mayan symbolism. Its ability to swallow all its prey is considered magical, and is a representation of Metamorphosis. What we think of as food, the Mayans see as transformation. What's more, the snake's mouth is seen as a symbol of the gaping void that links the serpent to the mystic.

Although Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of the jaguar, the snake in her hair signifies the complete transformation of mind, soul and body. It's said to encourage people to enter the unknown (the snake's mouth), to be consumed 🔥, and to emerge profoundly transformed.

F) Significance of the snake in Buddhism  

In the Buddhist religion, the snake as such is seen as a creature of mystery and darkness. It embodies the hidden part of the soul, the subconscious mind that generates unconscious thoughts and feelings.

But Buddhism also includes half-human, half-serpent beings: the nagas. These beings are venerated as protectors of the mother of snakes and companions of the god Vishnu. Ananta, a serpent with many heads, watches over the sleeping god, protecting him from the primordial waters.

 

What does the snake symbolize in feminine?

The snake is a potent symbol in relation to the feminine, often embodying a range of complex and sometimes paradoxical qualities. Here’s how the snake is symbolically connected to the feminine:

1. Feminine Power and Energy

• The snake is often associated with feminine power and energy, representing the primal, instinctual forces within the feminine. This includes the creative and destructive aspects of femininity, reflecting the dual nature of the snake as both life-giving and potentially dangerous.

2. Sexuality and Fertility

• In many cultures, the snake is a symbol of sexuality, fertility, and the life force. Its phallic shape and association with the earth and natural cycles connect it to fertility rites and the feminine capacity for creation and birth. The snake’s movement and shedding of skin also symbolize the cyclical nature of female sexuality and reproduction.

3. Wisdom and Intuition

• The snake is often linked to feminine wisdom and intuition, representing deep, instinctual knowledge that comes from within. In this sense, the snake symbolizes the inner knowing and spiritual insight that is often associated with the feminine principle, particularly in its connection to nature and the subconscious.

4. Kundalini Energy

• In Hindu and yogic traditions, the snake represents Kundalini energy, a spiritual force believed to reside at the base of the spine and is often depicted as a coiled serpent. When awakened, this energy rises through the chakras, leading to spiritual enlightenment. This process is often associated with the feminine aspect of divinity and spiritual power.

5. Transformation and Renewal

• The snake’s ability to shed its skin is a powerful symbol of transformation and renewal, which is often connected to the feminine ability to regenerate and create life. This can be seen as a metaphor for the cycles of life, death, and rebirth that are deeply intertwined with feminine energy.

6. Mystery and the Unknown

• The snake is frequently associated with the mysterious and the unknown, reflecting the enigmatic aspects of the feminine. In mythology and symbolism, the snake often guards sacred mysteries or knowledge, representing the hidden depths and unexplored aspects of the feminine psyche.

7. Healing and Nurturing

• The snake is also a symbol of healing and nurturing in its connection to the earth and natural medicine. In some traditions, the feminine is closely linked to the earth and its healing properties, with the snake symbolizing the nurturing aspect of the feminine as a healer and protector.

8. Temptation and Danger

• In a more negative context, the snake has been used to symbolize the dangerous or seductive aspects of the feminine. This is particularly evident in the Biblical story of Eve and the serpent, where the snake represents temptation and the potential for moral downfall. This interpretation reflects cultural anxieties about the power of female sexuality and autonomy.

9. The Great Mother Archetype

• In some mythologies, the snake is associated with the Great Mother archetype, embodying both creation and destruction. This archetype represents the dual nature of the feminine as both nurturing and fearsome, capable of giving life and taking it away.

10. Connection to Nature

• The snake’s close association with the earth and natural cycles ties it to the feminine as a symbol of the earth’s regenerative powers and the natural rhythms of life. This connection emphasizes the role of the feminine in maintaining balance and harmony within the natural world.

In summary, the snake as a symbol in relation to the feminine encompasses a wide range of meanings, from wisdom, sexuality, and fertility to mystery, transformation, and even danger. These interpretations highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of the feminine, reflecting both its creative and destructive powers.

 

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6) Snake Symbolism in Dreams

The meaning of a Snake Dream is explained by the colors, nature and actions of the creature that appeared to us 💭. There are a huge number of interpretations of Snake-related omens.

When the Snake visits your dream, he's beckoning you to get rid of your habits. He's inviting you to seek self-improvement, to shed your "old skin" and bad emotions, in order to transform them into something bigger and better. The animal wants you to understand that these changes are good for you.

 Dreaming of a snake can symbolize your fear and anxiety about sexuality. You may be inexperienced in this area, making you nervous and anxious. If you're afraid of the snake, it could mean you're afraid of sex, intimacy or commitment 💍.

In yoga symbolism, the snake can open the Chakras. It represents the energy coiled at the bottom of your spine: the Kundalini. This is where creativity and emotions are based. So snake dreams speak of your deepest desires and motivations. Seeing a Snake in a dream can be an omen reminding you to stay connected to yourself, so that you can later connect with your environment in order to grow spiritually. Only in this way can you free yourself from the chains of your past ⛓️.

7) The Snake Symbol in Medicine

Present in many myths, the symbol of the snake has not disappeared today. In many countries, notably in Europe, the emblem of Medicine is represented by a Snake of Aesculapius entangled around the Staff of Asclepius ⚕️ (or "Medical Caduceus"). Son of Apollo, Asclepius is the god of medicine in Greek mythology. Today, his name is mentioned in the Hippocratic Oath, which all Western doctors must take before practicing.

In psychology, snakes are rich symbols that can represent various aspects of the human psyche, often tied to deep, unconscious emotions and instincts. Here are some of the key psychological interpretations of snake symbolism:

1. The Unconscious Mind

• Snakes are often seen as symbols of the unconscious, representing the hidden, repressed, or unknown parts of the psyche. They can appear in dreams or visions as manifestations of deep-seated fears, desires, or unresolved issues lurking beneath the surface of consciousness.

2. Transformation and Change

• The image of a snake shedding its skin is a powerful symbol of transformation and personal growth in psychology. It can represent the process of letting go of old habits, beliefs, or ways of being in order to embrace change and renewal.

3. Sexuality and Instinctual Drives

• In Freudian psychology, snakes are often interpreted as phallic symbols, representing sexual energy, libido, or instinctual drives. The presence of a snake in a psychological context might indicate repressed or unconscious sexual desires or conflicts.

4. Fear and Anxiety

• Snakes are frequently associated with fear and anxiety in the human psyche. For many people, snakes evoke a primal fear, which can symbolize deeper anxieties or unresolved fears in one’s life. In dreams, a snake might represent a specific anxiety or something that is causing distress in waking life.

5. The Shadow Self

• In Jungian psychology, the snake is often connected to the concept of the shadow self—the parts of our personality that we reject or deny, usually because they are seen as socially unacceptable. Encountering a snake in dreams or psychological imagery might suggest a confrontation with these hidden aspects of the self that need to be integrated or understood.

6. Wisdom and Knowledge

• Snakes can also symbolize wisdom and the pursuit of knowledge. This ties into the idea of the snake as a guide through the process of self-discovery and deeper understanding of the self and the world. It can represent the journey towards greater awareness and insight.

7. Healing and Rebirth

• Psychologically, snakes can represent healing, particularly in the context of overcoming past traumas or emotional wounds. The snake’s ability to shed its skin and renew itself symbolizes the potential for personal healing and emotional rebirth.

8. Temptation and Moral Conflict

• Drawing from Biblical imagery, snakes can symbolize temptation and moral conflict. In psychology, this might represent an internal struggle with desires or impulses that conflict with one’s moral or ethical beliefs, leading to feelings of guilt or inner turmoil.

9. Life Force and Vitality

• In some psychological interpretations, particularly those influenced by Eastern traditions, the snake can symbolize life force or energy, akin to the concept of Kundalini in Hinduism. This represents a powerful, creative energy within the psyche that, when awakened, can lead to significant personal transformation.

10. Ambiguity and Duality

• Snakes embody duality—they can be both dangerous and beneficial, feared and revered. Psychologically, this duality can represent the complexity of human emotions and the coexistence of contradictory feelings or thoughts within the mind.

In summary, snakes in psychology are potent symbols that can represent a wide range of concepts, from the unconscious and hidden fears to transformation, wisdom, and the shadow self. Their appearance in dreams or psychological discussions often invites deep reflection on personal growth, inner conflicts, and the journey towards self-awareness.

 

Want to know what it's like to have a snake wrapped around your finger like a Boomslang? Then take a look at our  Snake Bracelets!

 

The Staff of Asclepius is different from the Cup of Hygie (or "Pharmaceutical Caduceus"), the symbol of Pharmacy. The Coupe d'Hygie takes the form of a wine glass with a snake coiled around it. The snake represents the patient who chooses to rely on medicine to heal himself.

These two artifacts should not be confused with the Caduceus of the Greek god Hermes. This is a staff around which two snakes are entwined. The Caduceus of Hermes symbolizes trade 💲 and eloquence (Hermes being the god of commerce), as well as medicine in America.

At Snake Label® we want to honor these magnificent but often misunderstood reptiles. We want to change the negative view of snakes held by most people. Our passion for these animals shines through in our snake-themed clothing, jewelry and accessories.

Dive into the fascinating world of snakes and explore our other articles now!

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