In Western mythology the serpent is often a poisonous viper/ adder which is known for its writhing behaviour ( the ' nest of vipers' during mating - see recent BBC doc for example) and this follows the . With her sharp teeth and hair intertwined with snakes, it's easy to imagine Greek parents of that era using her as a sort of boogeyman to corral misbehaving children. In the British writer Iris Murdochs novel A Severed Head (1961), the heroine is a Medusa figure. In North America, the Brule Sioux people told of three brothers transformed into rattlesnakes which permanently helped and guided their human relatives. She is a deity in the form of a giant cobra. Meanwhile, the most clear-cut duality of snakes is shown in their relation to both old gods and terrifying monsters throughout the worlds various cultures and civilizations. We also know that faience symbolized the renewal of life in old Egypt. As it turns out, this Naga is no ordinary snake! Direct link to David Alexander's post Are there other examples , Posted a year ago. doi: 10.1516/00207570260172975. In this region, females are more numbered as the worshippers of Nagas, which most closely resemble religious ritual.[27]. Candia-Iraklion, Arheologik Mousso. In an ode written in 490 BC, Pindar already speaks of "fair-cheeked Medusa". We have to take into consideration that the material of the New-Palace Snake Goddesses faence symbolized in old Egypt the renewal of life, and therefore was used in the Minoan funeral cult and in sanctuaries. The naming of "Venus of Willendorf" comes to mind. According to Ovid, in northwest Africa, Perseus flew past the Titan Atlas, who stood holding the sky aloft, and transformed Atlas into a stone when Atlas tried to attack him. They are also revered as the god of the weather, as many times a rainbow compliments this serpent gods image in archaic artwork. The Court of Maat was a compilation of 42 minor gods that aided Osiris in passing judgment with the Weighing of the Heart. The Snake Goddess is a provocative image, but its restoration and interpretation are problematic. Direct link to stpatrick749's post Question, why is most all, Posted 2 years ago. To conserve her energy, she dipped a rope in clay and flicked it so blobs of clay landed everywhere; each blob of clay became an individual human. In 1940, Sigmund Freud's "Das Medusenhaupt (Medusa's Head)" was published posthumously. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In this sense, the nagamani in question is a glassy green or black naturally-occurring stone. She was essentially urban and civilized, the antithesis in many respects of Artemis, goddess of the outdoors. Posted 3 years ago. That being said: Be ready for some heebie jeebies moving forward as we review the ancient worlds most revered snake gods and goddesses! Another significant thing about Vasuki is that he has a gem referred to as the nagamani on his head. The written texts that contain her myth, the Manasa-mangals, date from the 16th17th century but are probably based on an earlier oral tradition. Exceptions to this were the Fijian creator-god Ndengei, the dozen creator-gods of the Solomon Islands (each with different responsibilities), the Aztec Mother Goddess Coatlicue, and the Voodoo snake-spirits Damballa, Simbi and Petro. Continuing on, it would be unfair to neglect the inimitable powerhouses that are the Gorgons. Another repeating theme that is observed is the serpents association with the earth, the universe, and mankinds creation. Two Snake Goddesses from the palace of Knossos, c. 1600 B.C.E., majolica, 34.2 cm and 29.5 cm high (Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, photo: In her restored state, the Snake Goddess is 29.5 cm (about 11.5 inches) high, a youthful woman wearing a full skirt made of seven. Snake Goddess (Mythic) In 1903, Sir Arthur Evans, excavating at the palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, discovered fragments of faience statuettes depicting female figures holding snakes. More like a hundred headed serpentine dragon, actually. In Hindu mythology, Nagas are divine beings that are half-serpent, and can assume the form of a human or of a snake. The Aztec spirit of intelligence and the wind, Quetzalcoatl ("Plumed Serpent"). Why was he so insistent on piecing these statues back together and proving such facts. [30], Feminist theorist Hlne Cixous famously tackled the myth in her essay "The Laugh of the Medusa." References [ edit] ^ a b Russell, James R. (1987). The complete right arm held a short wavy striped stick, which Evans interpreted as a snake. [27][incomplete short citation], Even in contemporary pop culture, Medusa has become largely synonymous with feminine rage. There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone. Direct link to Lynne Peuker's post I understand that Cretans, Posted 2 months ago. Manasa Devi - The Snake Goddess. Taking that into consideration, Basmu is a symbol of Ningishzida when theyre seen as either a serpent wrapped around a staff, or as two joined snakes. Eopsin is the goddess of wealth and storage in Korean folk mythology. [12], An ancient Roman carving of the Medusa, now spolia in use as a column base in the Basilica Cistern, Coins of the reign of Seleucus I Nicator of Syria (312280 BC), The Medusa's head central to a mosaic floor in a tepidarium of the Roman era. He believes that one reason for her longevity may be her role as a protector, fearsome and enraged. It is believed that the serpent occupied bodies of water, therefore establishing it as representing the significance of water as well as the changing seasons. Etruscan, from Italy, 6th century BC. She is also known as Jaguli. The restoration of the Snake Goddess was done by the Danish artist Halvor Bagge together with Evans. There is a belief that Manasa protects the people from snake bite. He named the pits the Temple Repositories and immediately set upon the reconstruction of as much as he could, with special interest in the figurines, which he assumed were of goddesses. ###The Temple Repositories Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. Famous for wearing a skirt of snakes, she was the mother of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war, and served as an agricultural fertility deity. Kuru was a tribal union across the northernmost reaches of Iron Age India (1200-900 BCE). the secrets of herself). The deshret was commonly worn by rulers during the period, so Wadjet wearing the crown goes on to further suggest her guardianship over the lands sovereigns. Yeah, Hera was determined to kill this man. She was often shown nurturing her snake by feeding it from a small bowl held in her hands. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods, Snake Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient World, Snake Deities of Egypt: Wadjet, Renenutet, Nehebkau, Meretseger, and Apep, Snake Gods of Ancient Greece: Asclepius, The Gorgons, and The Hydra, Australias Creation Serpent The Rainbow Snake, Norse Serpent God: The Midgard Serpent Jormungandr. They are now on display at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Municipal coat of arms of Dohalice village, Hradec Krlov District, Czech Republic, Ceremonial French military uniform belt of World War I, Medusa image in a historical caricature of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, Medusa is honored in the following scientific names:[38], Probably the feminine present participle of. This gem would indicate his higher status as a serpent deity compared to others. Zahhak - an evil serpent creature, originating in Persian mythology and folklore. "The Laugh of the Medusa" is largely a call to arms, urging women to reclaim their identity through writing as she rejects the patriarchal society of Western culture. The Egyptians had temples with snakes and also a temple for cats. Contents 4 Mighty Deities That are Associated with Snakes The Cretan Snake Goddess Wadjet Hygeia The beautiful Hindu Ganga 4 Mighty Deities That are Associated with Snakes The Cretan Snake Goddess The smaller of the two statues of the snake goddess, the one holding two snakes, one with each hand. This anthropomorphic serpent goddess was worshipped to heal and prevent snakebites, as well as for fertility and prosperity. The Snake Goddess was one of the Minoan divinities associated closely with the snake cult. M.P. In fact, Shiva was so fond of Vasuki that he blessed him and wore the serpent as a necklace. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Much like snakes, crocodiles were feared and revered. Omissions? In ancient Rome we can also observe the tradition of snake worship, as the name of Marsian goddess Angitia origins from the word "serpent", and she was the goddess of snake-charmers, snakes and witches. Two images of Wadjet appear on this carved wall in the Hatshepsut Temple at Luxor. Manasa, goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of northeastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and general prosperity. [2], The West African kingdom of Dahomey regarded snakes as immortal because they appeared to be reincarnated from themselves when they sloughed their skins. It is believed that Nehebkau is the guardian of the entrance to the Underworld along with being one of the gods that sat on the Court of Maat. Johnston goes on to say that as Medusa has been repeatedly compared to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, she proves her merit as an icon, finding relevance even in modern politics. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This cult flourished mainly in Knossos during the New-palace period and in the Post-Palace public sanctuaries. The Snake Goddess of Egypt, Wadjet, was protector of the land, kings, and women in childbirth. If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. His roles took the form of everything from bringer of morning winds and bright daylight for healthy crops, to a sea god capable of bringing on great floods. In one interview after another we were told that Medusa is 'the most horrific woman in the world' [though] none of the women we interviewed could remember the details of the myth. After all that happened to her, one could only hope the Medusas serpents were a chance at a second start for the former priestess. In Egypt the snake has healing abilities. Meanwhile, folk medicine throughout Africa, Asia, and South America requires a nagamani (also known as snake stone, vipers stone, or the cobra pearl) for healing snakebites. [10], In most versions of the story, she was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who was sent to fetch her head by King Polydectes of Seriphus because Polydectes wanted to marry Perseus's mother. "Medusa has since haunted Western imagination, materializing whenever male authority feels threatened by female agency," writes Johnston. In Korean mythology, the goddess Eobshin was the snake goddess of wealth, as snakes ate rats and mice that gnawed on the crops. Noted by Marjorie J. Milne in discussing a. Freud, Sigmund (Summer 2017). Its purpose was to act as a guardian for female power, keeping the book solely in the hands of women. [22] Representations of two intertwined serpents are common in Sumerian art and Neo-Sumerian artwork[22] and still appear sporadically on cylinder seals and amulets until as late as the thirteenth century BC. Snakes are often poisonous and almost universally feared by primates and therefore have become symbolic of evil / deatth in many human cultures. Even before he excavated at the site, he had argued that there was a great mother goddess who was worshiped in the pre-Classical Greek world. It can be speculated that Medusas transformation from a beautiful mortal to a hideous serpentine beast could instead show the rebirth quality of snakes. Archetypal literary criticism continues to find psychoanalysis useful. Likewise, the Korean snake goddess Eobshin was portrayed as a black snake that had human ears. Fortunately for Hercules, he got aid from a nephew, Iolaus, who used a brand to cauterize the hydras neck stump before other heads could sprout from it. Punishment of those who wronged her and insulted those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites. Medusa has been depicted in several works of art, including: Medusa remained a common theme in art in the nineteenth century, when her myth was retold in Thomas Bulfinch's Mythology. Available from, Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). Snakes have been associated with Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic and the lower world.[20]. The two unslain sisters are mere appendages due to custom; the real Gorgon is Medusa. In Korean mythology, the goddess Eobshin was the snake goddess of wealth, as snakes ate rats and mice that gnawed on the crops. Corrections? "[18] In this perspective the "ravishingly beautiful" Medusa (see above) is the mother remembered in innocence; before the mythic truth of castration dawns on the subject. Another example is the coat of arms of Dohalice village in the Czech Republic. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As a result, God banishes Adam and Eve from the garden and curses the snake. Until recently, some northern European communities held well dressing ceremonies to appease the snake-spirits which lived in village wells and told legends of saints defeating malevolent lake-snakes e.g. After chasing her across the entirety of Ireland, Saint Patrick had a final showdown with the Celtic goddess at the sacred lake, Lough Derg. Similarly, Lord Vishnu, another important deity in Hinduism, is depicted with a thousand-headed serpent called . The terra-cotta models of painted snakes were found in the cult center of Mycenae and the motif of snakes appear among the decoration of vessels for funeral cult from the Late Mycenaean cemeteries in the mainland and in the islands of Rhodes, Kos and Cyprus. Snakes were called upon by the creator of Kerala, Parasurama, to make the saline land fertile. He shuns facts from his infancy. In the story, the snake convinces Eve to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which she then convinces Adam to do as well. The Mayan sky-goddess was a common attribute. Both circles and spirals were seen as symbols of eternity. The Origin of Hotdogs, The History of Boracay Island in The Philippines. She claims "we must kill the false woman who is preventing the live one from breathing. He is almost always portrayed as a serpent or dragon depending on the particular myth. The serpent plays an active role in Dogon religion and cosmogony. This was especially a boon because Kaliya had a huge fear of Garuda, the golden-winged vahana of Lord Vishnu, who despised snakes. Gods and goddesses are not there to be used, but to be worshipped. This page was last edited on 17 April 2023, at 16:22. It is the Lie that makes him free. In the state of Kerala, India, snake shrines occupy most households. While some images show her as being a woman with the head of a lion, others show her as a cobra, much like Wadjet, or as a woman with the head of a cobra. The underworld was part of a mythical world tree. From Medusa-Truth he makes an appeal to Maya-Lie.". The Hopi people told of a young man who ventured into the underworld and married a snake-princess. The first humans of hers became high-class, but second ones became low-class. When a person dies, the Serer believe that their soul must make its way to Jaaniiw (a place where good souls go). Totally different ritual objects of the Snake Goddesses came from sanctuaries of the Post-Palace period (1400-1100 BCE). [23] Details vary among tribes, with many of the stories associating the mystical figure with water, rain, lightning and thunder. Mostly she is a beneficial protection deity who once looked after the infant Horus in the swamps as he was hidden from his uncle Set. It was his medicinal rod; a meager branch with a single snake twined around it. In Hindu mythology, snakes have been depicted in various forms, such as gods, demi-gods, and even as demons. 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You have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) Sioux people told of a human or a! # the Temple Repositories Medusa, in Greek mythology goddess of snakes Nagas are divine beings that are the Gorgons trouble! Sigmund ( Summer 2017 ) he is almost always portrayed as a guardian female... Her and insulted those buried within the Necropolis would include blindness and deadly snakebites Cretans, Posted year. The ancient worlds most revered snake gods and goddesses known as Gorgons snakes often! Came from sanctuaries of the monster figures known as Gorgons Head ( 1961 ), the nagamani on Head... Serpent or dragon depending on the particular myth one reason for her longevity may be some discrepancies,,. Was often shown nurturing her snake by feeding it from a beautiful mortal to a goddess of snakes serpentine beast could show. Associated closely with the earth, the golden-winged vahana of Lord Vishnu, another important in. Restoration and interpretation are problematic thing about Vasuki is that he has a gem to! Feminist theorist Hlne Cixous famously tackled the myth in her essay `` the Laugh of the goddesses! If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) this man means we 're trouble.