Snake Tattoo Meaning: Each Culture Has a Unique Worldview and Perception

So, are you looking for inspiration for your new tattoo? Well, if you're having trouble making your final choice, we really understand. Unless you have something special and specific in mind, it can be difficult to narrow down your decision to just one design when there are so many interesting and compelling ideas out there.

But since you are reading this article, we assume that you are also thinking about snake design. And to this we speak; a bold choice. However, before calling your tattoo artist and making an appointment, we think it's best to really know what you're getting.

That is why we decided to collect all the information about the meaning and symbolism of a snake tattoo in one place. This article is your guide to snake tattoos, so keep scrolling if you're interested. In the following paragraphs, we'll talk about what snake tattoos actually mean, so without further ado, let's get started!

The meaning of the snake tattoo

General symbolism and speculation

Let's be honest; no one ever thought that snakes symbolize something good and positive. Since ancient times, snakes have symbolized misfortune, death, or something sinister in general. Remember the story of Adam and Eve, who were eventually expelled from paradise?

Well, guess what? Obviously the snake is responsible. So, even the first story of the first two people revolves around a snake. In this context, the snake symbolizes the devil, so you can see why this interpretation of the snake has survived for thousands of years.

Also, the fact that they are dangerous and generally venomous doesn't help much with snake PR. As charming as they were, people admired them from afar, but considered them their worst enemy. Why not? Hundreds of years ago, we did not have an effective antidote for snake venom. People were bitten and they died; this happens in our time.

However, snakes are largely misunderstood. Most snakes are completely harmless to humans, and a small number are poisonous and pose a real danger. Often these venomous snakes live deep in the desert and away from people. And even if they bite, it's just for self-defense and their own protection. Snakes do not like human contact, so they dodge and hide in the dark.

Thus, the mixture of religious history and real danger that snakes have been considered for many centuries has led to the fact that the snake has become the personification of the omen of all that is bad and ominous.

Actual symbolism of a snake tattoo

Now that we have the general symbolism and speculation, let's talk about the actual symbolism and meaning of the snake tattoo. As you may know, some things are always interpreted differently depending on the culture, part of the world, historical context, and more. Every culture has a unique perspective and perception, even when it comes to snakes, for example;

• In African cultures, snakes are considered a symbol of wisdom. People consider snakes to be protectors and keepers of sacred places and temples. Historically, snakes were considered powerful protectors of gods and goddesses, as was the case in ancient Egypt.
• In Greek mythology, snakes were considered symbols of health, wealth, and medicine. That is why the snake is depicted on the universal symbol of health organizations around the world. This is the most common symbol and logo of medical institutions, universities, pharmaceutical departments and more.
• In Buddhism and Hinduism, the snake or naga personifies the deity, rebirth, death and mortality. It is usually associated with the symbolism of transformation and rebirth through the ability of snakes to shed old skin and take on brand new skin.
• In Native American culture, snakes are considered symbols of life and rebirth. However, the symbolism of snakes differs from one tribe to another. So we have the Pueblo tribe and their view of snakes and fertility symbols, and the Ojibwa culture, where the snake is seen as a symbol of healing, rebirth and transformation. The Hopi people, for example, perform the snake dance every year to celebrate the union of the Snake Girl and the Snake Boy and renew the fertility of Nature.

As you can see, depending on the culture, the snake can have many different symbols representing something positive or negative. Typically, the symbolism revolves around rebirth, renewal, and transformation due to the snake's ability to shed its own skin, heal it, and give it a whole new look. Other meanings and interpretations of the snake include;

• Snakes often symbolize the cycle of life. In some cultures, such as African Dahomean culture or Norse mythology, snakes are often depicted biting their tails or wrapping themselves around themselves.
• Because of the snake's ability to shed and heal its own skin, each time a new one appears, snakes are also often symbolic of immortality.
• Since snakes are also considered symbols of fertility and prosperity, they are also often associated with images of Mother Earth, or are seen as a direct connection of people to Mother Earth.

The specific meaning of a snake tattoo.

Greek Mythology - The Seer Tiresias

Tiresias in Greek mythology is a blind Theban seer. He is known for having participated in many mythological tragedies and was even mentioned by ancient authors such as Euripides, Ovid, Sophocles and Pindar. Tiresias was also known for living part of his life as a man and as a woman.

It is believed that he turned into a woman as a result of being hit and injured by mating snakes. Tiresias has to wait seven years to return to his place of transformation so that the spell can be reversed. At this place, he saw the copulation of the same snakes, and he was again brought back to life as a man.

Egyptian snake goddess

The Egyptian goddess Wadjet was depicted as an Egyptian cobra. Sometimes the goddess was depicted as a snake with a woman's head or as a woman with a snake's head. One way or another, here the present in Egyptian mythology and culture is especially important.

It was believed that she fed the infant Horus and also protected Ra by curling up on his head. Snakes, especially cobras, enjoyed divine status in ancient Egypt. They were often seen as a symbol of sovereignty, power, wisdom and leadership.

Because of this, cobras were often placed on the crowns and masks of the pharaohs, installed on shrines and palaces, etc. The mask of Tutankhamen, for example, is crowned with the royal sign of the cobra, as well as the goddess Wadjet.

Serpent of Eden

The Serpent of Eden is the most infamous snake known to humans, according to many religious interpretations. As we mentioned in the introduction to this article, the snake seduced Eve and then Adam, causing them to eat the forbidden apple and be expelled from the Garden of Eden.

This is the most famous interpretation of this story, taken from the Book of Genesis. Many religions share a similar interpretation, where the snake is seen as the embodiment of the devil, evil and the power of evil over the human mind.

Japanese snake

Hebi, or Japanese snake, is one of the most popular tattoo designs. In ancient Japan, the snake symbolized good fortune, fortune and one of man's best allies. This is especially applicable if one sees a white snake, or any snake in general, as they are known to be sacred and beneficial (snakes kill rats and mice, which usually destroy people's crops, leading to poverty).

When it comes to certain snake symbolism in Japan, it usually revolves around rebirth, renewal, and transformation. According to an ancient Japanese interpretation, the snake's regenerative cycle also contributes to its depiction as enteral life.

In Japanese Buddhism, snakes are seen as symbols of wealth, music, poetry, wisdom, femininity, and water (lakes, seas, rivers). This is because of the goddess Benzaiten, known for her so-called lucky snakes. She had complete control over water and many people prayed to her to prevent or end natural disasters caused by floods and droughts.

Ouroboros

One of the most famous ancient snake symbols is the snake biting its own tail, also known as ouroboros. It is generally seen as symbolism of the cycles of life, the eternal circle, the cycle of life and death, reincarnation, constant renewal, transformation, and more. Of course, depending on the culture of conversion, the interpretation of this symbol varies. But one thing remains unchanged; the ouroboros eats its tail forever, until the end of the bonds.

The symbolism of the ouroboros goes back to Ancient Egypt, where it also had the same symbolism. The cyclical nature of life, whether it be our own life or even simple changes like the weather, has always been part of the human fascination. This snake symbol perfectly embodies the cyclical nature of everything and can be applied to everything; from the change of seasons to the general cyclicity of the universe and existence.

Final thoughts

I hope this was an informative and interesting introduction to the world of snake symbolism. At the end of our journey, we decided to include some of the most famous quotes about snakes. These quotes seem like the perfect ending to this little adventure, so here they are;

“Every great story begins with a snake.” – Nicolas Cage

"He who has been bitten by a snake is afraid of the rope." — Edward Albee.

“Even if the snake is not poisonous, it must pretend to be poisonous.” – Chanakya

"Snakes, after all, have a wonderful sense of propriety and order."

― Silvia Moreno-Garcia