Slitherins and Cthonians across the world of art. Images of serpents are used widely throughout the history of world art, from the crowns of Ancient Egypt to the emblem of modern medicine. Despite their broadly negative connotation in Western symbolism, snakes often embody ambiguous or even benevolent aspects in world myths.
Coffin and Mummy of Paankhenamun, Egyptian, About 945–715 B.C., From the collection of: The Art Institute of Chicago
Karttikeya, God of War, Seated on a Peacock, Indian; Andhra Pradesh, Madanapalle, Ganga period, about 12th century, From the collection of: The Art Institute of Chicago
What's Karttikeya sitting on?
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What's coiled in the peacock's mouth?
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How does a snake get around? And the majestic peacock?
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How do these creatures compare and contrast, the celestial peacock and the earth-bound serpent? How does the god fit in? What does it all mean to you?
Buddha sheltered by the seven-headed serpent, Mucalinda, Unknown, circa 15th century-17th century, From the collection of: Art Gallery of New South Wales
A harmonious union of the celestial Buddha and worldly serpent king Muchalinda. While Buddha was meditating under the bodhi tree, a great storm blew in. The Nagaraja Muchalinda emerged from his burrow, wrapped his thick coils around the Buddha to protect him from the cold wind, and enveloped Buddha with his massive hood to ward off the freezing rain.
Buddha sheltered by Muchalinda, the serpent king, Lan Xang kingdom (14th-18th centuries), Laos, 15th-16th century, From the collection of: National Gallery of Australia
Coatlicue, unknown, 1325/1521, From the collection of: Museo Nacional de Antropología, México
"Two snakes coming together, facing each other, but they're one." Conan
I dig the awesome skirt of interlacing rattlesnakes. This reminds me of a great Nepalese Buddha Sheltered by Muchalinda in the Art Institute of Chicago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientartpodcast/7000915442/
Immaculate Virgin Victorious over the Serpent of Heresy, Basilio de Santa Cruz Pumacallao, ca. 1670 - ca. 1690, From the collection of: MALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
The usual western trope of snake=evil. "The Virgin crushing the satanic serpent of heresy," although here looking more like a dragon.
Tenoned Serpent Head, Mexico, AD 700 - 1000, From the collection of: Denver Art Museum
Fascinating depiction of a snake in Australian rock art. A great example of natural media expressing the natural world. Check out the many videos in the Artwork Details.
Snake symbol / Meander pattern, Unknown, Pre-Pottery Neolithic A, 10,000 years ago, From the collection of: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Is it a snake or flowing water? Or is it both? A snake slithering across water? Reminds me of the Egyptian hieroglyphic phonetic character "N" which looks like a squiggle and represents water rapids. Is this a prototype for writing? Do the horizontal striations represent the banks of the river with a current flowing in between?
Wine Cup with an Eagle Battling a Snake, about 530 B.C., From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
That'd be a sobering sight at the bottom of my wine cup! I love the detail of the claw clutching the snake.
Credits: All media
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