Patterns & Metaphors
Serpents
Other Names:
Snake
Reptile
Template:
Snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators and other dragon-like saurians employed as symbols frequently have a spiritual significance. Zeus is one of many gods who have been imaged in serpent form, and the omphalos stone at Apollo's cult site in Delphi was represented as serpent encircled. The healing staff of Askepius was serpent entwined. Moses showed the image of the brazen serpent during the Exodus, and Christ was represented as a serpent by the Ophite Gnostics.
Metaphor:
These instances (a few among very many) indicate a time when the snake was a very important symbol arising out of the psyche. It was called in one tradition, the agathos deaimon, the good spirit, and was associated with mystical development possibly because of its skin-shedding ability. In India, Shakti as Kundalini in the human body has been visualized as the serpent power and yogic literature speaks of rousing this serpent to effect spiritual realization.<
