Serpent
The serpent is a universal and
complex symbol. It can represent death, destruction, evil, a penetrating legless
essence, and/or poison. In the Christian tradition, Satan (in the guise of the
serpent) instigated the fall by tricking Eve into breaking God�s command. Thus
the serpent can represent temptation, the devil, and deceit. The snake is phallic,
but also can be seen as androgynous. The snake can have positive implications,
too; when intertwined with the tree of life (Christian) it represents good, and
it can also be associated with healing and/or rebirth; as it sheds its skin.
(Related entry: ADAM AND EVE).
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