Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Religion. I have been interested lately in the historical significane of snakes in various religions and cultures. If anyone knows some information on who worshipped snakes the most, etc. please post either the info or a good source. Thanks!
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-Doug Daly

"Brian theres a message in my Alpha-Bits, it says: "OOOOOOOOOOOOHHH""
"Peter Those are Cheerios..."

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake

I don't know what culture worshipped snakes the most. It would be easier to name the cultures that don't have some element of snake worship. One book that I think is good is named Men and Snakes, by Desmond Morris. Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Sankes in many cultures are linked to immortality - renewing oneself continuously. Also, they were symbols of fertility, both feminine and masculine. I have also heard that some Native Americans tied snakes to the forces of lightning. I'm currently studying snake dancing, in tribal bellydance traditions and it's tie to ancient snake worship.

Here's something about the Minoan snake goddess that you may find interesting - http://witcombe.sbc.edu/snakegoddess/

A webpage about snake symbology and myth (beware annoying MIDI) - http://www.thelema.net/ramsey/naga.html

Some stuff on Nagas - http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_naga.htm

More snake mythology with more snake links at the bottom - http://www.khandro.net/animal_serpent.htm

Hope that helps!
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1.0 sinaloan milksnake
1.0 western hognose
1.0 colombian boa

The Zuni carved (and still carve) small stone animals as part of their belief system and culture. These are called "fetishes".
I currently own many of these, including two snakes. At Zuni, snakes are, indeed, associated with lightning. Snake fetishes have "widespread usage throughout the Southwestern Pueblo cultures, possessing curative powers in some tribes," according to Kent McManis, author of "Zuni Fetishes & Carvings" Kent goes on to explain that "The old fetishes were more likely the rain-associated Plumed or Water Serpent rather than the rattlesnake we usually see carved today."

Ok, since no one mentioned it. Try the Romans.

The staff of Mercury-the Caduceus, is the symbol of the medical profession.

The Romans revered snakes so highly, that at least one species-The Aesculapan snake; named for Aesculapius-the god of healing, was introduced deliberatly and established in several places outside of it's natural range in Roman temples.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

np
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-Doug Daly

"Brian theres a message in my Alpha-Bits, it says: "OOOOOOOOOOOOHHH""
"Peter Those are Cheerios..."

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake