Serene serpents with bite

 

Jameson’s mamba snake by Mattias Klum , Cameroon

National Geographic

 

 

Ancient clay beaker with snake motif ca. 4000 BCE; excavated at Susa, Mesopotamia.

Louvre

 

 

Snakebite in the garden

 

Like many people, I have found the snake to be a mysterious, exotic and unnerving creature to witness. My first serpent encounter was at the age of 7 when I leapt into a sandy pit, only to leap straight out again as a snake was using it for sun baking. A few years later at a mountain retreat I jumped off a stone embankment landing next to what I thought was a car tyre, which then suddenly slithered off into the long grass displaying its large girth, black snake skin and length of around 20 feet. My third close encounter happened in India when a snake appeared from a rice field and slid past, brushing the feet of my outstretched legs as I was coming out of a meditation on the veranda. After three fortunately benign snake episodes the next one was different. After emptying the grass catcher while mowing the lawn 7 months ago, I was surprised to see my finger was bleeding. Upon inspection I noticed the twin prong marks about 3/4 inch apart. I knew immediately it was a snake bite and came inside to have a cup of tea and think about my plan of action.

 

 

“A lifetime is like a flash of lighting in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.” ~ Gautama Buddha. Contemplation of the transience of lifetimes aside, I was already feeling a trippy light headedness and was in some sort of transcendent zone, maybe provoked by the adrenaline. After washing the wound, I discovered this should be avoided as it makes it harder to identify the venom. Also apparently, it’s not a good idea to ingest anything as this can draw the venom to the stomach. Part of a snakes stealth weaponry is you don’t really feel the bite as it happens, which was my experience. I also didn’t identify the snake and I chose to relax rather then exert energy looking for it as minimizing blood circulation is also beneficial. I got a Japanese salted umeboshi plum and put it on the bite. This works similar to a charcoal and clay poultice in the the yang of the plum draws out the yin venom. The venom incidentally had a odor like nothing else I had encountered.

My intuitive instinct was to relax rather then rush off to the hospital, so I just chilled on the sofa without dozing off. Calmness is imperative for a body trying to deal with a venom hit. The onset of a headache is a bad sign, as it indicates that the liver is struggling with the detox, but thankfully this didn’t happen. The only negative that came from this experience was I felt like I had concussion the next day and had been subjected to some sort of brain format, where I struggled to recall passwords and other details. I think the venom was of the neurotoxic type as my nerves became hypersensitive for months but I now feel fully recovered. Unless you live close to a medical facility, I don’t recommend this course of action because basically, I took a huge risk.

Snakes are a symbol of healing and primal energy. In art, the Naginis (female serpent spirits) are regarded as figures of beauty. In many Hindu societies, snakes are worshiped as guardians of the home; and it is said that when a snake enters your life, there will be a new birth of creativity and wisdom. I can’t claim I feel wiser or more creative, but I never believe things just happen for no particular reason.

 

Art of serpents and other reptiles

 

Bas Relief Mowgli Le Livre De Le Jungle-1927-Raymond Delamarre

Bas Relief  ‘Mowgli Le Livre De Le Jungle’  —  Raymond Delamarre

-1927-

 

 

Astrid Tshidibu - Photographer Meiji Nguyen Snake Handler Jessica Wulandari Suarsa

Astrid Tshidibu – Photographer Meiji Nguyen

 

 

Aboriginal Snake by thatmusic on deviantART

Aboriginal Snake — thatmusic

deviantART

 

 

Veruschka with snake photo by Michel Comte

Veruschka —  photo by Michel Comte

 

 

Cretan helmet with the image of Hermes holding snakes. 7th century BCE.

Cretan helmet with the image of Hermes and Caducea coiled snakes

7th century BCE.

 

 

Lord Krishna Dancing on Serpent Kaliya - Bronze Statue from Swamimalai, India

‘Lord Krishna Dancing on Serpent Kaliya’ – Bronze Statue from Swamimalai, India

 

 

 

Tree Serpent Flame Fairyland Vase by Wedgwood

‘Tree Serpent Flame Fairyland’ Vase by Wedgwood

1stDibs

 

 

Eight sided Chinese porcelain box with snake lid handle

Eight sided Chinese porcelain box with snake lid handle

 

 

German Art Deco snake charmer, porcelain figurine

German Art Deco snake charmer, porcelain figurine

 

 

Moche stirrup-spout bottle with snake, Peru, 2nd–3rd C. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.

Moche stirrup-spout bottle with snake, Peru, 2nd–3rd C.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.

 

 

 

Dramatic Mario Boschi Gold Medusa Diamond Enamel Snake Pin

Dramatic Mario Boschi Gold ‘Medusa’ Diamond Enamel Snake Pin

 

 

Olivia Dominguez Snake ceramic Olla---with-fluid-lines

Olivia Dominguez Snake ceramic Olla

 

 

 

Charlie Egalie Tjapaltjarri - Snake Dreaming-1992

Charlie Egalie Tjapaltjarri painting – ‘Snake Dreaming’

1992

 

 

James-muir-kundalini-statue

Sedona bronze sculpture ‘Caduceus’ kundalini  – James Muir, USA

 

 

entwined serpents_Black Marble Sculpture from Mahabalipuram

Black marble  ‘Entwined Serpent’ sculpture from Mahabalipuram, India

 

 

Rare vintage Hertwig Katzhutte art deco porcelain lady figurine, snake dancer

Hertwig Katzhutte art deco porcelain lady figurine, ecstatic snake dancer

 

 

Thancoupie, Gloria Fletcher, Thomon (The Water Snake) and Guiree (The Flying Fox) -Joel Fine Art

Thancoupie, Gloria Fletcher, ‘Thomon (The Water Snake) and Guiree (The Flying Fox)’ 

Joel Fine Art

 

 

 

Anang artist, Mami Wata figure with snake sculpture

Anang artist, Mami Wata water deity figure

Africa

 

 

Cobra recliner Art deco

Art Deco cobra recliner

1930’s

 

 

astor Mack WolfordFull Gospel Apostolic House of the Lord Jesus, one of the few remaining small Appalachian Pentecostal sect one of the few remaining small Appalachian Pentecostal sect

Pastor Mack Wolford – Full Gospel Apostolic House of the Lord Jesus, one of the few remaining small Appalachian Pentecostal sects. He died at a later date from a snake bite.

 

 

Bernard Palissy--.photo by Paul Starosta - ceramic plate with snake and boar motif

Bernard Palissy — photo by Paul Starosta

 

 

Beth Ozarow---Snake Man-Artful Home ceramic figure sculpture

Beth Ozarow— ‘Snake Man’ clay figure

Artful Home

 

 

Boiga drapiezii, by Quentin Martinez

Moving snake in the jungle – photo by Quentin Martinez, Borneo

 

 

Bronze Statue Hindu God Vishnu standing on a Naga snake

The Hindu God Vishnu standing on a Naga – Bronze Statue

 

 

 ‘The Chameleon’  Photo: Christian Ziegler, World Press Photo.

 

 

Chinese Baluster Vase with Celadon crackle Glaze Finish High Relief Dragons

Chinese Baluster Vase with celadon crackle Glaze Finish High Relief Dragons

 

 

Édouard Marcel SANDOZ - rare directly carved sculpture on a block of Préhite representing iguanas.

Directly carved sculpture on a block of Préhite representing iguanas – Édouard Marcel Sandoz

 

 

Washington Ledesma's ceramic vase

Washington Ledesma’s ceramic vase

 

 

'Femme au Serpent' by Lithuanian-born French artist Jacques Lipchitz Bronze, dark brown patina, 24 in.

‘Femme au Serpent’ by Lithuanian born French artist Jacques Lipchitz

Bronze, dark brown patina, 24 in.

 

large Goanna on outside wall

5 foot wild Goanna paying a visit

 

 

 

Gundestrup-Cauldron-wall-relief art

TheGundestrup cauldron’ is a richly decorated silver vessel, thought to date from between 200 BC and 300 AD

 

 

Head of Manasa, the serpent goddess, Eastern India, Gupta period, early 6th century, Terracotta.

‘Head of Manasa’, the serpent goddess, Eastern India, Gupta period, early 6th century, Terracotta.

 

 

herend-siang-noir-black-dynasty-water-pitcher-with-lizard-handle---herend-porcelain-manufactory-(hungary)

Herend water pitcher with lizard handle, Hungry

 

 

Iguana stone carving-on-wall

Iguana sculpture

 

 

Important Robert Wogensky Aubusson Tapestry Serpent d'Etoile, France, 1965

 Robert Wogensky Aubusson Mid Century Atomic Tapestry –  ‘Serpent d’Etoile’

France, 1965

 

 Jean Dunand serpent panel

France

 

 

Jessica Wulandari Suarsa- photo-John Marshall

Jessica Wulandari Suarsa- photo-John Marshall

Australia

 

 

Leighton Athlete Wrestling with a Python--Tate Britain

Frederic Leighton ‘Athlete Wrestling with a Python’ 

Tate Britain

 

 

Mata Ortiz Pottery-Carlos Loya Lizard Bowl Cazuela

Carlos Loya  – Lizard Bowl Cazuela

Mata Ortiz Pottery

 

 

Matthew Patton Shino Wiggle plate

Matthew Patton  – Shino Wiggle plate

 

 

Migrating Aussie snake

 

 

Mitchell Grafton---vase with Snake and Frog relief Ceramic Sculpture

Vase with snake and frog relief – Mitchell Grafton

 

 

Figure of Nagini,, Ramappa Temple,, Palampet, Andhra Pradesh, India

Figure of Nagini, Ramappa Temple, Palampet,

Andhra Pradesh, India

 

 

Pale blue dragon-handled vase with fish design (one of pair) 1897;-C-H-Brannam-Ltd;-1903;-1991

Pale blue dragon handled vase  C H Brannam Ltd

1897

 

Rudolph Tegner Hercules and the Hydra, Rudolph Tegners Museum, Dronningmølle, Denmark

Rudolph Tegner  – ‘Hercules and the Hydra’

Rudolph Tegners Museum, Dronningmølle, Denmark

 

 

Satsuma Plate, Japan, 20th century, round, with three dragons in low relief surrounding arhat

Satsuma Plate, round, with three dragons in low relief surrounding

Japan, 20th century,

 

 

Female holding-serpent sculpture - )Signed Isdrebrad

Art Deco female holding serpent sculpture – Signed Isdrebrad

 

 

‘Celestial Serpent’ —  South Australian aerial landscape digital  art by post author

 

 

Snake Charmer Bronze by Bourgeois org l Butchoff Antiques - London

‘Snake Charmer’ bronze statue by Charles Arthur Bourgeois

Butchoff Antiques – London

 

 

 

Herend,- Lying Lizard porcelain figurine

 ‘Lying Lizard ‘porcelain figurine – Herend,

 

 

Two lizard vase by Nancy Yturriaga Adams

Two lizard vase by Nancy Yturriaga Adams

 

 

The Croc Hunter – Steve and Bindi Irwin

 

 

Minoan Snake Goddess  —  painting by John Duncan

 

 

The temple of Vitthala-(Hampi,-India - Jean Pierre Dalbéra

The temple of Vitthala carved wall relief art, Hampi,- Jean Pierre Dalbéra

India

 

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum, Goanna Dreaming

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum, ‘Goanna Dreaming’ painting

 

 

Outdoor sculpture 'Three-mothers'-Bathstone

Three Mothers bathstone sculpture

 

 

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum,-Snake Dreaming

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum,- ‘Snake Dreaming’

 

 

Yaritji Jack- serpent vase

Yaritji Jack- serpent vase

 

 

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum,-Two Snakes at Alinittiti-1972 Australian aboriginal art

Tjapaltjarri, Clifford Possum – ‘Two Snakes at Alinittiti’

Australia,  1972

 

 

Zuni Pueblo Hand Made Lizard Bowl

Zuni Pueblo Hand Made Lizard Bowl

 

 

Gabriele Pfister collection -relief snake on pot

Gabriele Pfister collection – French ceramic relief snake on pot

 

 

 

Emily-Ulrich-2017 ceramic snake sculpture

Emily Ulrich – 2017 ceramic snake sculpture

 

 

Snake-Vase-Masterpiece-by-Julia Zsolnay

Snake Vase Masterpiece by Julia Zsolnay

 

 

Naga serpent multi-head

Naga serpent multi-head sculpture

 

 

Live snake in wild - Field Naturalists Club of Victoria

Live snake in wild – Field Naturalists Club of Victoria photo

 

 

 

Elegia del Barro

 

Feathered Serpent exhibition by Alessandra Foletti – 10th  to 24th April , 2018

Cultural  center and Art Gallery of Banco Atlantida, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

 

 

The Plumed (or Feathered) Serpent is a Mesoamerican god and myth. Among the Aztecs and Toltecs this divinity went by the name of Quetzalcoatl and to the Maya he was known as Kukulcan.

The Feathered serpent is regarded as the god of winds and rain and is associated with thunder, storms and waterways. The zigzag and meandering lines of the serpent or snake are symbolic of water and the feathers represent the ability of the feathered serpent to fly. The Feathered serpent symbol represents life and the renewal of life, just like water. He was also considered the patron god of priests and merchants and considered the god of learning, science, agriculture, crafts and the arts.

 

Quetzalcoatl clay relief plaque

Quetzalcoatl wears around his neck the wind breastplate (ehecailacocozcatl), with the spirally voluted wind jewel made of a conch shell.

 

Serpienteem-Plumada---Allesandra-Foletti-Honduras

Serpienteem Plumada — Allesandra Foletti

Honduras

 

Male feathered snake Alessandra Foletti

Male feathered snake — Alessandra Foletti

 

 

Cosmic feathered snake - Alessandra Foletti

‘Cosmic feathered snake’ – Alessandra Foletti

 

 

 

 

 

4 Comments

  1. David Spain
    Posted April 7, 2018 at 10:04 am | Permalink

    Another WONDERFUL collection. Fine photos, great items and nicely linked together. The opening essay was, IMHO, one of your best. Thank you for what you do. David

  2. senia kazar
    Posted April 7, 2018 at 10:23 pm | Permalink

    This is fabulous in so many ways. Love this collection and your
    writing.I am a ceramicist/potter , meditator and a follower of the Field naturalist club. Their facebook posts recently have many pics of snakes and personal encounters. Your collection, offers the Snake as an aesthetic and mystical creature depicted
    in Art over the centuries. —many thanks , senia

  3. Robbie Hood
    Posted April 8, 2018 at 8:06 am | Permalink

    Field Naturalists Club of Victoria — https://www.facebook.com/groups/191099460990243/photos/

    Thanks Senia, fab collection of photos

  4. Posted July 13, 2018 at 8:37 pm | Permalink

    Once again, a great lot of images to love. Cheers, Sally

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