How do you feel about snakes?
In 2025, millions around the world will celebrate the Year of the Snake, offering a fresh perspective on these often misunderstood creatures.
Snakes slither through the fabric of many creation myths. In the Christian tradition, the serpent tempts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, leading to their exile. This snake is often seen as a symbol of evil but also represents knowledge.
In Chinese mythology, Nüwa, a deity with a serpent’s body and a human head, is credited with creating humanity. Legend says she molded the first humans from yellow clay. As she grew weary, she dipped a rope into mud and swung it, and the drops that fell became common people, while the handcrafted figures became the nobility.
Across various cultures, snakes symbolize immortality. Their habit of biting their own tails to form a circle, known as the ouroboros, and their coiled bodies resembling spirals appear in Egyptian, Hindu, and Norse mythologies.
Interestingly, snakes are closely linked to medicine. The ancient Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, is often depicted holding a staff entwined by a serpent—a symbol still found in medical logos today.
So, whatever you thought about snakes before, perhaps it’s time to see them in a new light. Happy Year of the Snake!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
