How the snake is loved, hated or feared in cultures and religions around the world

The snake is the Biblical trickster in the Garden of Eden and the enemy of the Norse gods, but also the saviour of the world in Hinduism

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A depiction of the Egyptian sun god Ra fighting the snake god Apep. Snakes are either hated in mythology as evil, sneaky, dangerous, or revered as saviours and friends of the gods. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 5:15pm, 20 Dec 2024

From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series.

Snakes in popular culture today are often associated with treachery and deception. For instance, calling someone a “snake” typically means that they act in an underhanded or back-stabbing way.

However, this has not always been the case. In Chinese culture, the snake has come to represent righteousness and good fortune, especially with the animal’s place in the Chinese zodiac.

Throughout history, snakes have held multifaceted roles, symbolising everything from wisdom and protection to danger and destruction.

In the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, a serpent persuaded Eve to eat fruit from the forbidden tree.

Temptation and sin: the serpent in Eden

One of the best-known tales of snakes – and perhaps the long-lasting reason behind their negative reputation today – is that of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, the earthly paradise inhabited by God’s first created humans.

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Year of the Snake 2025: predictions, facts, myths and feng shui

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