by What Is a White Snake Symbolic For
Snakes elicit a variety of reactions from people, both good and bad. Often, these reactions are intense – people either love them or hate them. Snakes are often misunderstood, resulting in unwarranted ꜰᴇᴀʀ from the people who encounter them. While snakes in general are a part of a healthy ecosystem, white snakes stand out as a highly regarded symbol across many cultures. As a spirit animal, the snake represents energy, transformations and life changes. If a white snake appears in your dreams, it is widely believed that this is a sign of excellent luck and good fortune. In general, snakes are often seen as a symbol of ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ powers and renewal because of their ongoing ability to shed their skins. Whether in nature, spirit or imagery, the white snake represents a powerful cultural force.
1. Snake Symbolism in European and American Cultures
Snakes have been symbols of good and of bad in many cultures and across millennia. Most of us are familiar with the biblical story of Eve and the serpent. However, snakes are not always viewed as bad. Among the Igbo people of Nigeria, the ball python symbolizes the earth. Similarly, in northwestern Ghana, the Sankana people view pythons as sᴀᴠɪᴏʀs and helpers.
2. Snake Symbolism in Japanese Culture
Thanks to their ability to continually shed their skin and be reborn, these serpents are known as shapeshifters in Japanese mythology and can live to be thousands of years old, able to walk between the underworld, heaven, and the human world. Shintō priests and practitioners will always try to avoid harming a snake if they come across such an animal in daily life—in fact, encountering a live snake is considered an extremely lucky omen, while encountering a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ one is considered a sign of ᴍɪsꜰᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴇs to come.
3. Snake Symbolism in Chinese Culture
The first positive symbolic cultural meaning of the Snake is luck and authority. Snakes are divided into house snakes and wild snakes, with house snakes being considered lucky. The Snake also symbolizes the state authority; therefore, the ancient envoys usually carried a scepter with two snakes carved on its surface when they were sent on diplomatic missions to other countries by the king. The third positive symbolic cultural meaning of the Snake is longevity and fortune. The Snake is considered to be as longevous as the Turtle in traditional Chinese culture.
