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Year of the Snake: Snakes in mythology and their symbolism across cultures

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How do you feel about snakes?

In 2025, hundreds of millions of people around the world will be celebrating the Year of the Snake. And they might see things differently.

Snakes are a recurring symbol in many creation myths.

In the Christian tradition, the most familiar serpent appears in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. Tempted by Satan in the form of a snake, they eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. As a result, God banishes them from the Garden of Eden and curses the snake. This serpent is often seen as a symbol of evil—but also of knowledge.

Meanwhile, in Chinese mythology, Nüwa, a snake with a woman's head, is credited with creating humanity. According to legend, Nüwa shaped the first humans from yellow clay. As she grew tired, she dipped a rope into the mud and swung it around. The blobs that fell became common people, while the handcrafted figures became the nobility.

Across different cultures, snakes are also symbols of immortality. 

They've been observed biting their own tails to form a circle, and their coiled bodies often resemble spirals. This symbolism appears in Egyptian, Hindu, and Norse mythologies.

Curiously, snakes are also closely linked to medicine. 

The ancient Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, is often depicted with a staff entwined by a serpent—a symbol still seen in medical logos today.

So, whatever you felt about snakes before, be ready to see them in a new light.

Happy Year of the Snake!

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