Thesnake goddesstrope has slue through various refinement throughout story , embody powerful symbols of richness , protection and transformation . From the ancient temples of Crete to the mythological landscape painting of Egypt and India , these deities have play significant roles in spiritual practices and storytelling .
Despite the differences in their ethnical contexts , these serpent goddess share a commonthreadof veneration for the reverence - inspiring and often fearsome quality of virulent snakes .
In many culture , the serpent goddess is not just a symbol of danger but also renewal , wisdom and the cyclical nature of lifespan . allow ’s look at some of the most fascinating snake goddesses worldwide and their roles in their respective company .
The Minoan Snake Goddess
The Minoan goddess of snakes is one of the most iconic figure from theBronze Age . Crete was home to the Minoan civilization , which existed around 1600 B.C.E. Depicted as a mother goddess contain one or more Snake in each paw , she was a fundamental figure in Minoan faith and cultivation .
This goddess appears in Minoan myth wearing a flounced skirt and a bodice that expose her bared knocker , symbolizing birth rate , creation , renewal and protection . A common exercise of Minoan civilization admit placing a prolificacy fig depicting this ophidian - wrangling deity in temple repositories , suggesting her grandness in religious ritual .
The most telling collection of these statuette was uncovered in 1903 at Knossos Palace in Crete by a research group extend byBritisharcheologist Sir Arthur Evans , though modern - day researchers are unclear as to whether the statuette are intend to depict priestesses or the goddess herself . They are displayed at the Heraklion Archeological Museum .
Most of the statuette abide by the same iconography . The snakes she holds are likely nonvenomous , symbolize the goddess ’s control over life and death . Theseivoryfigurines , sometimes adorn with gold Hydra , represent one of human history ’s early depictions of a Hydra goddess .
The Egyptian Snake Goddess Wadjet
In ancient Egypt , the snake goddess Wadjet was a powerful deity associate with protection and royalty . Often depicted as a cobra , Wadjet was believed to protect the pharaohs and was closely link to the land of Egypt itself .
As a venomoussnake , the cobra symbolized the goddess ’s pestilent and protective aspect . Wadjet was often point on the pharaoh ’s crown , ready to strike down enemies with her deadly spitefulness . In Egyptian mythology , she was also connected to the Sunday god Ra , serving as his protector priestess during his nightly journeying through the Hell .
Wadjet ’s influence extended beyond the palace of the pharaohs , as vernacular worshippers also revered her as a goddess of fertility rate and motherhood .
The Hindu Goddess Manasa
In Hindu mythology , the goddess Manasa is the nance of snakes and is worshipped chiefly in northeasterly India and Bengal . Manasa is a protective god , often invoke to protect against snakebites and insure fertility and prosperity .
She is depict with a hood of cobras over her header , symbolizing her dominion over these venomous creatures . Manasa is also associated with the healing of snakebites and is revered as a mother goddess who nurtures and protects her buff .
In Hindu culture , snakes are picture as both unsafe and godlike , and Manasa body forth this dichotomy by being both a protector and a symbol of fertility . Her worship is especially popular during the monsoon time of year when snakebite are more common .
The Sumerian God (Not Goddess) Ningishzida
In ancient Sumerian mythology , Ningishzida was a deity consort with the underworld , birth rate and Snake River . Often depict with two serpents rising from his shoulders , Ningishzida was believed to have the mightiness to insure and communicate with Snake .
Ningishzida ’s tie-up with snakes made him a idolise figure in Sumerian religion . His function as a guardian of the Hades also plug into him to the theme of death and rebirth , common in snake symbolism across various cultures .
Ningishzida ’s mental imagery influence later iconographic images of ophidian deities in Mesopotamia and beyond , establish the widespread influence of snake worship in ancient religions .
Medusa in Greek Mythology (Also Not a Goddess)
In Greek mythology , Medusais one of the most famous figure associated with snakes . Unlike the nurturing snake goddesses of other culture , Medusa was both fear and revered for her terrifying tycoon . ( Also , she was a prominent mythologic character reference but not a goddess . )
Once a beautiful womanhood , Medusa was transformed into a giant with venomous serpent hair by the goddess Athena as punishment . Her regard turned any human race who caught sight of her into stone , make her a symbol of both danger and protection .
Medusa ’s story is complex , as she was both a victim of thegodsand a herculean revenge figure in ancient Greece . Her range , with her snake - satisfy hair’s-breadth , was often used as a protective symbol on shields and temple , warding off evil tone and enemy from warriors and priestesses alike .
We create this article in alignment with AI technology , then made indisputable it was edited and fact - checked by a HowStuffWorks editor .
