As 2025 drew closer, discussions about The Year of the Snake were everywhere, becoming the ultimate hot topic. But what does it truly signify?
In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is far more than just an animal sign - it embodies wisdom, mystery, transformation, and seduction, traits that have made it a powerful symbol across cultures for centuries. Every 12 years, the snake returns to the zodiac cycle, ushering in a year associated with intellect, strategy, and renewal. January 29, 2025, marked the beginning of the Year of the Snake, bringing with it a time characterised by keen awareness, composure, and intelligence - qualities deeply linked to this enigmatic creature.
According to traditional beliefs, those born under the sign of the snake are thought to possess a unique blend of wisdom, charm, and ambition, but also a certain air of mystery and cunning. With all the excitement surrounding this zodiac year, now is the perfect moment to delve into the deeper significance of the snake.
Beyond astrology, this creature has long held a mesmerising presence in ancient mythology, fine art, and fashion, shaping narratives and aesthetics in ways both captivating and complex.
Let’s explore the many faces of the snake - from its sacred role in ancient civilisations to its enduring influence on art and couture.
THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SNAKE IN HISTORY
Snakes, or serpents, as they were more commonly referred to in mythology, have endured a love-hate relationship with humans for a very long time. Snakes - you either love 'em or hate 'em. How often have we heard the quip, “The only good snake is a dead snake”? Since the fateful moment in the Garden of Eden, when Eve was tempted by the cunning serpent, snakes have carried a heavy burden of deception, evil, and temptation in Christian tradition. According to the Old Testament, the serpent’s whispered words lured Eve toward the forbidden fruit, triggering the fall of mankind - a transgression that not only sealed humanity’s fate but also condemned the snake itself. Stripped of its former stature, the serpent became a universal symbol of sin and treachery, forever bound to the earth, slithering in disgrace.
Yet, outside of the Judeo-Christian worldview, the snake’s image takes on an entirely different meaning. Across numerous ancient cultures, this enigmatic creature was revered rather than reviled, often placed among the gods and woven into sacred myths. The snake symbolised fertility, renewal, transformation, and even immortality, its ability to shed its skin seen as a powerful metaphor for rebirth and eternal life.
Far from being a harbinger of doom, the serpent was celebrated as a creature of profound wisdom, a guardian of hidden knowledge, and a bridge between the earthly and the divine.
Here are some examples.
ANCIENT EGYPT
In Ancient Egypt, snakes held an elevated place in both mythology and royal iconography. The Uraeus, a stylised cobra, was prominently worn by pharaohs as a symbol of divine sovereignty and protection. The Uraeus was believed to represent the goddess Wadjet, the cobra-headed goddess of Lower Egypt, who was considered a protector of the pharaohs and a fierce defender of the land. The image of the snake on the pharaoh’s crown symbolised both royal authority and the ability to ward off evil.
Beyond royal iconography, the snake also held deeper spiritual significance. It was often linked with the idea of eternal life and rebirth, aligning with Egypt’s belief in the afterlife. The serpent Ammit, for example, was a demoness in the Egyptian underworld who devoured the souls of the unworthy, signifying death and judgment. In contrast, the serpent as a protector was seen as a guardian of sacred places, such as temples and tombs, where it ensured the spiritual integrity of the realm.
ANCIENT GREECE
The Greeks also revered the snake, particularly for its association with healing and wisdom. One of the most famous representations is the “caduceus”, the staff entwined with two serpents, wielded by Hermes, the god of communication, travellers, and healing. While it is now commonly associated with medicine, the caduceus originally symbolised the balance between duality and harmony, as the two serpents were intertwined in a coiled embrace, symbolising both conflict and reconciliation.
The serpent also had strong associations with the god Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing, whose temples were often inhabited by sacred snakes. Patients who sought healing at these temples would sleep in the presence of the snakes, hoping to receive divine guidance or a cure through the animals’ mystical powers. Asclepius himself was often depicted with a single serpent wrapped around his staff, symbolising the process of healing, renewal, and the power of nature.
But let’s not forget that snakes also had a darker and more terrifying side, especially in the form of the Gorgons. The Gorgons were three monstrous sisters whose gazes would turn people to stone; they had serpents for hair, long claws, sharp teeth and scales covering their bodies.
According to some myths, Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgons, was originally a beautiful woman. Her tryst with the god Poseidon in one of Athena’s temples infuriated the virgin goddess, who turned Medusa into a Gorgon as punishment. Athena later helped the hero Perseus slay Medusa, giving him a shiny bronze shield that he used to watch the Gorgon’s reflection rather than looking directly at her. After cutting off Medusa’s fearsome head, Perseus mounted it on his shield and used it to paralyse his enemies in battle.
MESOAMERICAN CULTURES
Among the most prominent deities in Mesoamerican cultures, Quetzalcoatl, or “Feathered Serpent,” was a mix of bird and rattlesnake. The Aztec god of wind and rain, as well as learning, agriculture and science, Quetzalcoatl was said to have played a key role in the world’s creation.
In one version of the creation story, he and another god, Tezcatlipoca, transformed themselves into snakes and ripped a giant sea monster named Cipactli in half; one part of her became the earth, the other the sky. Though the earliest depictions of Quetzalcoatl show him clearly as a snake with a plume of feathers, later cultures represented him in human form.
NATIVE AMERICANS
For thousands of years, members of the Hopi Native American tribe of northern Arizona have performed the ritual known as the Snake Dance. During the multi-day ritual, which is aimed at encouraging rainfall and fertility for the land, male dancers from the Snake Clan put live snakes - ranging from small garter snakes to rattlesnakes - in their mouths and around their necks.
The snakes are gathered and washed with great care before the ceremony, which also involves members of the Antelope Clan. Though outsiders (notably Theodore Roosevelt) have been able to witness some aspects of the Snake Dance, much of the lengthy ceremony takes place in underground chambers called kivas, allowing its most sacred aspects to remain mysterious.
THE SNAKE IN ART
Snakes captivate the human imagination like few other creatures.
These reptiles have inspired countless mythological beings—sea serpents, basilisks, and dragons—while also serving as symbols for deities. They evoke both fascination and fear, embodying the delicate balance between beauty and danger. From an artistic standpoint, snakes' simple yet flexible form makes them easy to render and recognize across various media. Their scaly texture, in particular, is visually striking and compelling. Throughout history, serpents have served as a major source of inspiration for many artists.
During the Renaissance, the symbolism of the snake evolved in both religious and mythological contexts. In Christian art, the snake often appeared in scenes depicting the Fall of Man, most notably in the Garden of Eden, representing temptation and the introduction of sin. In Baroque art, snakes were frequently used to convey the tension between good and evil. Artists like Caravaggio employed serpents in works such as The Temptation of Saint Anthony, where the snake became a symbol of sin and temptation, heightening the dramatic struggle between virtue and vice.
With the advent of Modern Art, the snake continued to serve as a powerful symbol, often representing psychological, existential, and sexual themes. In Art Nouveau, the snake emerged as a symbol of rebirth and sexuality. Artists like Gustav Klimt incorporated serpentine motifs to suggest passion, sensuality, and temptation, as seen in his iconic painting "The Kiss".
Here, a serpentine shape intertwines with the lovers' bodies, reflecting the union of masculine and feminine forces. In this context, the snake symbolizes both the life force and sexual energy, demonstrating how its meanings evolved as cultural perceptions of sexuality shifted.
Salvador Dalí, a leading figure in Surrealism, often used snakes in his works to explore the unconscious mind, transformation, and the fluidity of reality. In pieces like "The Sacrament of the Last Supper", Dalí intertwined serpentine forms with religious imagery, using the snake to illustrate the duality of good and evil, life and death, and the mysterious, ever-changing nature of existence.
In contemporary art, the snake remains a symbol open to a wide array of interpretations. For instance, Banksy has employed the snake to represent resistance, subversion, and disruption, reflecting the creature's broader use as a symbol for societal change and revolutionary ideas.
Whether portrayed as creatures of divine wisdom, sinister forces of evil, or emblems of sexuality and desire, snakes have captivated artists by embodying a wide range of powerful themes. Their ability to transform - whether physically, spiritually, or metaphorically - has made them a potent and enduring symbol in the visual language of art, from ancient civilizations to contemporary works.
THE SNAKE IN FASHION AND JEWELLERY
During the Victorian era, snake jewellery surged in popularity, largely influenced by Queen Victoria herself. In 1839, Prince Albert gifted Queen Victoria a serpent-shaped engagement ring, symbolizing eternal love and wisdom. This set off a trend among European aristocrats, who wore intricate gold snake bangles, necklaces, and brooches, often encrusted with diamonds and emeralds.
The snake was also a recurring motif in the jewellery and glasswork of René Lalique’s, one of the most renowned Art Nouveau designers. His snake bracelets, brooches, and necklaces were crafted from gold, enamel, and glass, often adorned with opals, amethysts, and diamonds, which gave them an almost hypnotic, lifelike quality.
In the 20th century, the surrealist movement and avant-garde fashion began to embrace the snake in more subversive and symbolic ways. Designers such as Elsa Schiaparelli, known for her surrealist collaborations, used serpentine imagery in her designs to challenge traditional ideas of femininity and power. Schiaparelli’s snake embroidery and sculptural accessories blurred the line between fashion and art, transforming the serpent into a bold, avant-garde statement.
High fashion houses like Gucci, Versace and Alexander McQueen have all incorporated snake imagery in their designs, often combining it with opulent materials that feel both luxurious and provocative.
Medusa’s iconic snake adorned head is synonymous with the Versace fashion house who is known for designs that straddle sexiness with sophistication. Similarly, exclusive French jeweller Cartier first created a diamond encrusted snake necklace in 1968 for Mexican actress Maria Felix, featuring 2,473 diamonds across the 57cm long piece.
No discussion of snakes in fashion is complete without mentioning Bulgari. Since the 1940s, Bulgari's "Serpenti" collection has defined snake-inspired luxury jewellery and accessories.
From the myths of ancient civilizations to the masterpieces of fine art and the ever-evolving world of fashion, the serpent has remained one of the most complex and enduring symbols in human history. It has slithered through time, embodying wisdom and deception, destruction and renewal, beauty and danger; a creature of contradictions that continues to captivate the human imagination.
Shall we celebrate the Year of the Snake by embracing the serpent’s duality? sighed the snake