mojo
04-08-2008, 12:17 AM
The Serpent and the Snake in the ancient world.
There seem to be so many tales, legends and myths in ancient cultures involving snakes and serpents. Why is this. It's not as if the snake/serpent was a bountiful source of food unlike bison, cattle or other major food sources. Nor is it a particularly attractive or proud animal like the eagle, lion or wolf. It is an animal that is generally feared or loathed by some, but to many cultures it is revered. It is not always associated with evil or bad things, there are many cultures that hold the snake/serpent in high regard. What is it about the Serpent that sets it apart and generates so many differing opinions throughout history.
Here are some links to a few varying views on snakes and serpents from different cultures.
Serpent mound (http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/science/stories/2007/06/19/sci_lepper19.ART_ART_06-19-07_B5_3O70TOH.html)
Lankford observes that the Great Serpent was "a major figure in the religious and cosmological understanding" of the Native American tribes of both the Woodlands and Plains.
It was a source of enormous spiritual power that people could invoke to aid them in hunting and in curing illnesses. Although it was primarily a creature of the Beneath World, it sometimes could appear in various guises in our world and in the overarching Above World.
The Rainbow Serpent (http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/rainbow.php)
"The belief in the Rainbow Snake, a personification of fertility, increase (richness in propoagation of plants and animals) and rain, is common throughout Australia. It is a creator of human beings, having life-giving powers that send conception spirits to all the waterholes. It is responsible for regenerating rains, and also for storms and floods when it acts as an agent of punishment against those who transgress the law or upset it in any way. It swallows people in great floods and regurgitates their bones, which turn into stone, thus documenting such events. Rainbow snakes can also enter a man and endow him with magical powers, or leave 'little rainbows', their progeny, within his body which will make him ail and die. As the regenerative and reproductive power in nature and human beings, it is the main character in the region's major rituals." (from page 47, "Journey in Time", Reed 1993).
Aboriginal beliefs regarding the Rainbow Serpent suggest that it is a creator totem.
Quetzalcoatl - the Feathered Serpent (http://weber.ucsd.edu/~anthclub/quetzalcoatl/que.htm#myth)
Quetzalcoatl is the god of human sustenance, penitent, self-sacrifice, re-birth and butterflies. He is patron of the city Cholula and of the trecena to 1 Ocelotl. In his iconography, his body is painted black in accordance with the priesthood he established. However, Quetzalcoatl originated as a water god. The first myth he appears in, he is called "Precious Serpent" and was "the spirit of the waters which flowed along the winding bends of rivers" (Fernandez, 68, 1984). Sometime afterwards, the idea of a snake representing both the Terrestrial and Celestial comes about; and later developments allow for Quetzalcoatl to emerge. This is first evidenced at Teotihuacan circa 3rd century AD; however, there always remains the possibility that Monument 19 at La Venta refers to him.
And in Indian folklore,
Naga's (http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_naga.htm)
"Nagas [kLu] are a class of beings (often snake-like in form) that dwell in a variety of locations ranging from waterways and underground locations and also in unseen realms. These beings have their own perceptions and vary in their enlightened level as do humans and other beings. Nagas are susceptible to suffering created by mankind's carelessness and basic ignorance of proper conduct in nature and disrespectful actions in relation to our environment. Therefore Nagas often retaliate towards humans when they behave in such ignorant manners. The expression of the Nagas' discontent and agitation can be felt as skin diseases, various calamities and so forth.
Additionally, Nagas can bestow various types of wealth, assure fertility of crops and the environment as well as decline these blessings. For this reason the practice of Lu Sang has been developed or arises as a natural method to increase prosperity, and assist the Nagas by preserving the positive qualities of their natural environment." ~ Tsewang Ngodrup Rinpoche
The cobra in Egyptian mythology (http://www.egyptianmyths.net/cobra.htm)
As the sacred creature of the Delta city of Buto, the reptile was known by the same name. She soon became an emblem of all of Lower Egypt. The uraeus was often depicted with the vulture Nekhebet who served the same function for Upper Egypt. Together they symbolized the unification of the two lands. The creatures also appear together in the pharaoh's nebty or "Two Ladies" name.
And in Greek mythology we get the medical symbol of 2 snakes wrapped around a staff. Asclepius, saw one snake bring another snake back to life with the use of certain herbs and so discovered medicine.
And in some African cultures it was considered a crime to kill rock pythons (http://www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2006_4/Artikler/python_english)
“In the cave, we find only the San people’s three most important animals: the python, the elephant, and the giraffe. That is unusual. This would appear to be a very special place. They did not burn the spearheads by chance. They brought them from hundreds of kilometers away and intentionally burned them. So many pieces of the puzzle fit together here. It has to represent a ritual.” concludes Sheila Coulson.
Whereas in Western christian beliefs the snake/serpent is reviled as something evil, why is the snake/serpent not held in the same regard as other cultures. These other cultures that hold the Serpent and the Snake in some esteem are mostly areas that contain a large diversity and population of snakes and marine creatures, did they understand the snakes/serpents place in nature's heirarchy better than judeo/christian's who may have had a more limited contact with snakes/serpents and consequently a fear attached to these relatively unknown to them creatures.
As a lover of snakes and other reptiles it has always fascinated me that these animals can be seen from such diverse perspectives, particularly from a mythological viewpoint.
The wyvern is another.
Look a wiki link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern)
The name "wyvern" derived from the Saxon word Wivere, which means "serpent". The French wyvern is known as the Vouivre.
The wyvern can be regarded as a type of or similar to a dragon. Depictions often include two legs and two wings[1]. Sometimes there are eagle's claws on the wingtips. The rest of its appearance can vary, such as appearing with a tail spade or with a serpent-like tail.
Wyvern supporters in the arms of the Borough of Vale Royal
Variants of the wyvern include the sea-wyvern, which has a fish-like tail. The wyvern has a similar appearance to another mythical creature, the cockatrice.
Cool, flying snakes. :D
news.nationalgeographic.com (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0807_020807_flyingsnake_2.html)
A flying snake begins its takeoff by hanging from a branch with the front of its body forming a J-shaped loop. It then accelerates up and away from the branch, straightening the body and flattening it from head to tail end, so that the body width nearly doubles.
As the snake gains speed, it lifts its head and tail end toward the middle and undulates from side to side in a wide S shape. The snake generates lift, said Socha, although he is not certain how it's done.
www.flyingsnake.org (http://www.flyingsnake.org/)
biomechanics.bio.uci.edu (http://biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/flyingsnake/flyingsnake.htm)
The snake-quite deft at avoiding obstacles-seems to swim through the air; in Socha's tests the snakes landed as far as sixty-nine feet from the thirty-foot-high launch point. In the shallowest moments of their glide (when their fall angle has decreased to its minimum), the snakes can travel nearly four times farther horizontally than they fall vertically, which easily surpasses the one-to-one benchmark of a gliding animal.
Some Tall Story's. :D
Link to article (http://www.meta-religion.com/Paranormale/Cryptozoology/Snakes/winged_snakes.htm)
The earliest known recorded sighting can be found in the journal writings of Hieronymus Benzo, an Italian naturalist who traversed the New World from 1541 to 1556. In his text Istoria de Mondo Nuovo Libr. III, Benzo included the following entry on an expedition into what is now Florida:
I saw a certain kind of Serpent which was furnished with wings, and which was killed near a wood by some of our men. Its wings were so shaped that by moving them it could raise itself from the ground and fly along, but only at a very short distance from the earth.
In August of 1875, an unnamed woman dwelling in the southern side of this town made local headlines with her insistence that a smallish winged snake was undertaking excursions over her neighborhood.
original article link (http://swampgasbooks.com/blog1/2007/04/29/the-unnatural-history-of-winged-snakes-in-north-america/) its a bit harder to read here but there is information on the author of the article if you want to check his credentials.
Some examples of winged, feathered or plumed snakes/serpents.
In some pictures i have seen Uroboros is drawn with feathered wings. I have been unable to find something similar on the web yet though. As is the Rainbow Serpent of the Aboriginal's dreamtime sometimes drawn with feathers.
link (http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2005/arch05/050513serpent.htm)
In Greek mythology, the heaven-spanning giant Typhon had serpents for legs and a body "all winged" or feathered, as Apollodorus reported.
Azhi Dahaka (http://www.angelfire.com/de/poetry/Whoswho/AzhiDahaka.html)
Azhi Dahaka is the three-headed serpent demon-dragon that overthrew Yima, the first mortal by cutting him in two. One head was the embodiment of pain, one of anguish, and the last of death. Its wings were so large and dark they blotted out the stars.
DRACONES OF DEMETER (http://www.theoi.com/Encyc_D.html)
DRACONES OF DEMETER (Drakones) A pair of winged serpents which drew the flying chariot of Demeter and her hero Triptolemos.
more winged serpents pulling a chariot, the same as above? (http://www.prs.org/gallery-classic.htm)
The poppy is sacred to Ceres and she is often shown carrying or ornamented by a garland of these flowers. In the Mysteries, Ceres is represented riding in a chariot drawn by winged serpents.
melanesian mythology (http://www.janeresture.com/melanesia_myths/solomons.htm)
Hatuibwari of the Arosi district was a winged serpent with a human head, four eyes and four breasts and he suckled all he created.
Iaculi (http://www.blackdrago.com/species.htm#iaculi)
Iaculi, The Egyptian Winged Serpent27
These are creatures that are depicted usually on tombs of the departed in Egypt. Many believe they are a symbol of those who are gone and that they are some sort of watchers. Still others believe they are related to Neheb-ka, which is a snake-headed goddess of the Egyptians.
For the most part, these creatures are a bit of a mystery. There is no reason for them to have wings. Some people believe they are similar to the Quetzalcoatl, but that dragon is found in a different culture from a different continent.
Having only two wings, they are said to be amphitere-like in appearance. Very little is known about them.
Winged serpents used in Heraldry.
wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipt%C3%A8re)
Amphiptere, Amphithere, or Amphitere is a term used to describe a type of legless winged serpent found in European heraldry.[1]
Ancient Semitic Snake Spells Deciphered in Egyptian Pyramid.
nationalgeographic (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070205-snake-spells.html)
The Canaanite spells were invoked to help protect mummified kings against poisonous snakes, one of ancient Egypt's most dreaded nemeses.
According to the incantations, female snakes—acting as mediators for Canaanite magicians—used their multiple mouths and sexual organs to prevent other snakes from entering the mummified rulers' remains.
nationalgeographic (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070205-snake-spells_2.html)
In the inscribed spells, a Canaanite-speaking mother snake cajoles and threatens invading snakes in their own language.
"You need somebody with good connections to the snake. You can't just come along and say, Get out of here, snake. Why should the snake listen to you?" Steiner said.
"You need to involve someone who commands the snake's respect, someone who can speak to the snake in its own language and who is related to it in some way—its mother or its lover," he added.
Sanchuniathon was a (legendary/mythical) phoenician author whose only works were translated by Philo of Byblos, only fragments remain. This excerpt on Serpents is interesting.
Sanchuniathon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchuniathon)
The nature then of the dragon and of serpents Tauthus himself regarded as divine, and so again after him did the Phoenicians and Egyptians: for this animal was declared by him to be of all reptiles most full of breath, and fiery. In consequence of which it also exerts an unsurpassable swiftness by means of its breath, without feet and hands or any other of the external members by which the other animals make their movements. It also exhibits forms of various shapes, and in its progress makes spiral leaps as swift as it chooses. It is also most long-lived, and its nature is to put off its old skin, and so not only to grow young again, but also to assume a larger growth; and after it has fulfilled its appointed measure of age, it is self-consumed, in like manner as Tauthus himself has set down in his sacred books: for which reason this animal has also been adopted in temples and in mystic rites.
The duality or twin snakes intrigue's me.
I found another legend that venerates the Serpent/Snake with some interesting similarity's to other mythology and symbolism.
Here is where the similarity to the caduceus becomes apparent due to the depiction of dual/twin snakes.
wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrian_gods)
The mythology of Illyrians seems to depict Mikon and Zeau as being twin brothers originally born as snakes (Illyrians were very appreciative of the animal) - corresponding to the phrase "two minds are better than one." The two gods seem to be very close to one another and were favorites of Illyrian farmers/growers. Mythology suggests that the two married the child Genusus.
The caduceus has two snakes entwined about a staff. (twin snakes?) did the Illyrians borrow from the Greeks or did the Greeks borrow from the Illyrians or coincidence?
Hard to imagine that one did not influence the other being as they were so close geographically.
Here is an Illyrian legend that i believe shows up in mythology in other country's but contains different animals as the protagonists.
sacred texts (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/sfs/sfs77.htm), this story reminds me of "The Pied Piper of Hamlet'.
the unknown man took a bone pipe out of his pocket, and began to blow it so powerfully that everybody's ears tingled. Quickly up rushed and crowded from all quarters a vast number of snakes, lizards, and salamanders to the pile, and, driven by some strange force, all sprang into the fire and perished there. But all at once a mightier and shriller hiss was heard from Ososcica, so that all present were seized with fear and dread. The man on the fir, at hearing it, trembled with terror: 'Woe is me! there is no help for me!' so said he. 'I have heard a white snake hiss; why did you thus mislead me? But be so compassionate as not to forget every year to give alms to the poor on my behalf.'
And here the whole "Lizard race perish's". Yet according to the wikipedia article the "Illyrians were very appreciative of the animal", particularly farmers. Which begs the question of how this story came about?
Thus perished, along with the whole lizard race, the monstrous snake which had done so much harm to the cattle. The peasants were again able without fear to carry on their occupations, and the shepherds at Ososcica to pasture their cattle without anxiety.
Is this resemblance purely coincidental. The first picture is a heraldic symbol from Italy used in Milan (it is also used on the alfa romeo badge) the second picture is of Quetzacoatl from the Codex Telleriano-Remensis.
The Biscione in the Milan coat of arms was being used in the 11th century onwards i think, they would have had no way of knowing of the Quetzacoatl image at that time.
Biscione (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscione)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/mojo4sale/biscione.jpg
Quetzacoatl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzacoatl)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/mojo4sale/Quetzalcoatl_telleriano.jpg
The new world had yet to be discovered by europeans, apparently, yet these two serpent symbols pop up thousands of miles and hundreds of years apart.
I've deliberately mentioned both Snakes and Serpents in my post. Early on in my research i confused the two. They are seperate mythology's similar only in form.
To get to the true symbolism of the mythology you need to be able to make that distinction.
Trust me i learnt the hard way.
Anyway, i think you can probably tell that i have a great love not only for snakes but also for the symbolism and mythology of the Serpent.
mojo.
There seem to be so many tales, legends and myths in ancient cultures involving snakes and serpents. Why is this. It's not as if the snake/serpent was a bountiful source of food unlike bison, cattle or other major food sources. Nor is it a particularly attractive or proud animal like the eagle, lion or wolf. It is an animal that is generally feared or loathed by some, but to many cultures it is revered. It is not always associated with evil or bad things, there are many cultures that hold the snake/serpent in high regard. What is it about the Serpent that sets it apart and generates so many differing opinions throughout history.
Here are some links to a few varying views on snakes and serpents from different cultures.
Serpent mound (http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/science/stories/2007/06/19/sci_lepper19.ART_ART_06-19-07_B5_3O70TOH.html)
Lankford observes that the Great Serpent was "a major figure in the religious and cosmological understanding" of the Native American tribes of both the Woodlands and Plains.
It was a source of enormous spiritual power that people could invoke to aid them in hunting and in curing illnesses. Although it was primarily a creature of the Beneath World, it sometimes could appear in various guises in our world and in the overarching Above World.
The Rainbow Serpent (http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/rainbow.php)
"The belief in the Rainbow Snake, a personification of fertility, increase (richness in propoagation of plants and animals) and rain, is common throughout Australia. It is a creator of human beings, having life-giving powers that send conception spirits to all the waterholes. It is responsible for regenerating rains, and also for storms and floods when it acts as an agent of punishment against those who transgress the law or upset it in any way. It swallows people in great floods and regurgitates their bones, which turn into stone, thus documenting such events. Rainbow snakes can also enter a man and endow him with magical powers, or leave 'little rainbows', their progeny, within his body which will make him ail and die. As the regenerative and reproductive power in nature and human beings, it is the main character in the region's major rituals." (from page 47, "Journey in Time", Reed 1993).
Aboriginal beliefs regarding the Rainbow Serpent suggest that it is a creator totem.
Quetzalcoatl - the Feathered Serpent (http://weber.ucsd.edu/~anthclub/quetzalcoatl/que.htm#myth)
Quetzalcoatl is the god of human sustenance, penitent, self-sacrifice, re-birth and butterflies. He is patron of the city Cholula and of the trecena to 1 Ocelotl. In his iconography, his body is painted black in accordance with the priesthood he established. However, Quetzalcoatl originated as a water god. The first myth he appears in, he is called "Precious Serpent" and was "the spirit of the waters which flowed along the winding bends of rivers" (Fernandez, 68, 1984). Sometime afterwards, the idea of a snake representing both the Terrestrial and Celestial comes about; and later developments allow for Quetzalcoatl to emerge. This is first evidenced at Teotihuacan circa 3rd century AD; however, there always remains the possibility that Monument 19 at La Venta refers to him.
And in Indian folklore,
Naga's (http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_naga.htm)
"Nagas [kLu] are a class of beings (often snake-like in form) that dwell in a variety of locations ranging from waterways and underground locations and also in unseen realms. These beings have their own perceptions and vary in their enlightened level as do humans and other beings. Nagas are susceptible to suffering created by mankind's carelessness and basic ignorance of proper conduct in nature and disrespectful actions in relation to our environment. Therefore Nagas often retaliate towards humans when they behave in such ignorant manners. The expression of the Nagas' discontent and agitation can be felt as skin diseases, various calamities and so forth.
Additionally, Nagas can bestow various types of wealth, assure fertility of crops and the environment as well as decline these blessings. For this reason the practice of Lu Sang has been developed or arises as a natural method to increase prosperity, and assist the Nagas by preserving the positive qualities of their natural environment." ~ Tsewang Ngodrup Rinpoche
The cobra in Egyptian mythology (http://www.egyptianmyths.net/cobra.htm)
As the sacred creature of the Delta city of Buto, the reptile was known by the same name. She soon became an emblem of all of Lower Egypt. The uraeus was often depicted with the vulture Nekhebet who served the same function for Upper Egypt. Together they symbolized the unification of the two lands. The creatures also appear together in the pharaoh's nebty or "Two Ladies" name.
And in Greek mythology we get the medical symbol of 2 snakes wrapped around a staff. Asclepius, saw one snake bring another snake back to life with the use of certain herbs and so discovered medicine.
And in some African cultures it was considered a crime to kill rock pythons (http://www.apollon.uio.no/vis/art/2006_4/Artikler/python_english)
“In the cave, we find only the San people’s three most important animals: the python, the elephant, and the giraffe. That is unusual. This would appear to be a very special place. They did not burn the spearheads by chance. They brought them from hundreds of kilometers away and intentionally burned them. So many pieces of the puzzle fit together here. It has to represent a ritual.” concludes Sheila Coulson.
Whereas in Western christian beliefs the snake/serpent is reviled as something evil, why is the snake/serpent not held in the same regard as other cultures. These other cultures that hold the Serpent and the Snake in some esteem are mostly areas that contain a large diversity and population of snakes and marine creatures, did they understand the snakes/serpents place in nature's heirarchy better than judeo/christian's who may have had a more limited contact with snakes/serpents and consequently a fear attached to these relatively unknown to them creatures.
As a lover of snakes and other reptiles it has always fascinated me that these animals can be seen from such diverse perspectives, particularly from a mythological viewpoint.
The wyvern is another.
Look a wiki link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern)
The name "wyvern" derived from the Saxon word Wivere, which means "serpent". The French wyvern is known as the Vouivre.
The wyvern can be regarded as a type of or similar to a dragon. Depictions often include two legs and two wings[1]. Sometimes there are eagle's claws on the wingtips. The rest of its appearance can vary, such as appearing with a tail spade or with a serpent-like tail.
Wyvern supporters in the arms of the Borough of Vale Royal
Variants of the wyvern include the sea-wyvern, which has a fish-like tail. The wyvern has a similar appearance to another mythical creature, the cockatrice.
Cool, flying snakes. :D
news.nationalgeographic.com (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0807_020807_flyingsnake_2.html)
A flying snake begins its takeoff by hanging from a branch with the front of its body forming a J-shaped loop. It then accelerates up and away from the branch, straightening the body and flattening it from head to tail end, so that the body width nearly doubles.
As the snake gains speed, it lifts its head and tail end toward the middle and undulates from side to side in a wide S shape. The snake generates lift, said Socha, although he is not certain how it's done.
www.flyingsnake.org (http://www.flyingsnake.org/)
biomechanics.bio.uci.edu (http://biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/flyingsnake/flyingsnake.htm)
The snake-quite deft at avoiding obstacles-seems to swim through the air; in Socha's tests the snakes landed as far as sixty-nine feet from the thirty-foot-high launch point. In the shallowest moments of their glide (when their fall angle has decreased to its minimum), the snakes can travel nearly four times farther horizontally than they fall vertically, which easily surpasses the one-to-one benchmark of a gliding animal.
Some Tall Story's. :D
Link to article (http://www.meta-religion.com/Paranormale/Cryptozoology/Snakes/winged_snakes.htm)
The earliest known recorded sighting can be found in the journal writings of Hieronymus Benzo, an Italian naturalist who traversed the New World from 1541 to 1556. In his text Istoria de Mondo Nuovo Libr. III, Benzo included the following entry on an expedition into what is now Florida:
I saw a certain kind of Serpent which was furnished with wings, and which was killed near a wood by some of our men. Its wings were so shaped that by moving them it could raise itself from the ground and fly along, but only at a very short distance from the earth.
In August of 1875, an unnamed woman dwelling in the southern side of this town made local headlines with her insistence that a smallish winged snake was undertaking excursions over her neighborhood.
original article link (http://swampgasbooks.com/blog1/2007/04/29/the-unnatural-history-of-winged-snakes-in-north-america/) its a bit harder to read here but there is information on the author of the article if you want to check his credentials.
Some examples of winged, feathered or plumed snakes/serpents.
In some pictures i have seen Uroboros is drawn with feathered wings. I have been unable to find something similar on the web yet though. As is the Rainbow Serpent of the Aboriginal's dreamtime sometimes drawn with feathers.
link (http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2005/arch05/050513serpent.htm)
In Greek mythology, the heaven-spanning giant Typhon had serpents for legs and a body "all winged" or feathered, as Apollodorus reported.
Azhi Dahaka (http://www.angelfire.com/de/poetry/Whoswho/AzhiDahaka.html)
Azhi Dahaka is the three-headed serpent demon-dragon that overthrew Yima, the first mortal by cutting him in two. One head was the embodiment of pain, one of anguish, and the last of death. Its wings were so large and dark they blotted out the stars.
DRACONES OF DEMETER (http://www.theoi.com/Encyc_D.html)
DRACONES OF DEMETER (Drakones) A pair of winged serpents which drew the flying chariot of Demeter and her hero Triptolemos.
more winged serpents pulling a chariot, the same as above? (http://www.prs.org/gallery-classic.htm)
The poppy is sacred to Ceres and she is often shown carrying or ornamented by a garland of these flowers. In the Mysteries, Ceres is represented riding in a chariot drawn by winged serpents.
melanesian mythology (http://www.janeresture.com/melanesia_myths/solomons.htm)
Hatuibwari of the Arosi district was a winged serpent with a human head, four eyes and four breasts and he suckled all he created.
Iaculi (http://www.blackdrago.com/species.htm#iaculi)
Iaculi, The Egyptian Winged Serpent27
These are creatures that are depicted usually on tombs of the departed in Egypt. Many believe they are a symbol of those who are gone and that they are some sort of watchers. Still others believe they are related to Neheb-ka, which is a snake-headed goddess of the Egyptians.
For the most part, these creatures are a bit of a mystery. There is no reason for them to have wings. Some people believe they are similar to the Quetzalcoatl, but that dragon is found in a different culture from a different continent.
Having only two wings, they are said to be amphitere-like in appearance. Very little is known about them.
Winged serpents used in Heraldry.
wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipt%C3%A8re)
Amphiptere, Amphithere, or Amphitere is a term used to describe a type of legless winged serpent found in European heraldry.[1]
Ancient Semitic Snake Spells Deciphered in Egyptian Pyramid.
nationalgeographic (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070205-snake-spells.html)
The Canaanite spells were invoked to help protect mummified kings against poisonous snakes, one of ancient Egypt's most dreaded nemeses.
According to the incantations, female snakes—acting as mediators for Canaanite magicians—used their multiple mouths and sexual organs to prevent other snakes from entering the mummified rulers' remains.
nationalgeographic (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070205-snake-spells_2.html)
In the inscribed spells, a Canaanite-speaking mother snake cajoles and threatens invading snakes in their own language.
"You need somebody with good connections to the snake. You can't just come along and say, Get out of here, snake. Why should the snake listen to you?" Steiner said.
"You need to involve someone who commands the snake's respect, someone who can speak to the snake in its own language and who is related to it in some way—its mother or its lover," he added.
Sanchuniathon was a (legendary/mythical) phoenician author whose only works were translated by Philo of Byblos, only fragments remain. This excerpt on Serpents is interesting.
Sanchuniathon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchuniathon)
The nature then of the dragon and of serpents Tauthus himself regarded as divine, and so again after him did the Phoenicians and Egyptians: for this animal was declared by him to be of all reptiles most full of breath, and fiery. In consequence of which it also exerts an unsurpassable swiftness by means of its breath, without feet and hands or any other of the external members by which the other animals make their movements. It also exhibits forms of various shapes, and in its progress makes spiral leaps as swift as it chooses. It is also most long-lived, and its nature is to put off its old skin, and so not only to grow young again, but also to assume a larger growth; and after it has fulfilled its appointed measure of age, it is self-consumed, in like manner as Tauthus himself has set down in his sacred books: for which reason this animal has also been adopted in temples and in mystic rites.
The duality or twin snakes intrigue's me.
I found another legend that venerates the Serpent/Snake with some interesting similarity's to other mythology and symbolism.
Here is where the similarity to the caduceus becomes apparent due to the depiction of dual/twin snakes.
wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrian_gods)
The mythology of Illyrians seems to depict Mikon and Zeau as being twin brothers originally born as snakes (Illyrians were very appreciative of the animal) - corresponding to the phrase "two minds are better than one." The two gods seem to be very close to one another and were favorites of Illyrian farmers/growers. Mythology suggests that the two married the child Genusus.
The caduceus has two snakes entwined about a staff. (twin snakes?) did the Illyrians borrow from the Greeks or did the Greeks borrow from the Illyrians or coincidence?
Hard to imagine that one did not influence the other being as they were so close geographically.
Here is an Illyrian legend that i believe shows up in mythology in other country's but contains different animals as the protagonists.
sacred texts (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/sfs/sfs77.htm), this story reminds me of "The Pied Piper of Hamlet'.
the unknown man took a bone pipe out of his pocket, and began to blow it so powerfully that everybody's ears tingled. Quickly up rushed and crowded from all quarters a vast number of snakes, lizards, and salamanders to the pile, and, driven by some strange force, all sprang into the fire and perished there. But all at once a mightier and shriller hiss was heard from Ososcica, so that all present were seized with fear and dread. The man on the fir, at hearing it, trembled with terror: 'Woe is me! there is no help for me!' so said he. 'I have heard a white snake hiss; why did you thus mislead me? But be so compassionate as not to forget every year to give alms to the poor on my behalf.'
And here the whole "Lizard race perish's". Yet according to the wikipedia article the "Illyrians were very appreciative of the animal", particularly farmers. Which begs the question of how this story came about?
Thus perished, along with the whole lizard race, the monstrous snake which had done so much harm to the cattle. The peasants were again able without fear to carry on their occupations, and the shepherds at Ososcica to pasture their cattle without anxiety.
Is this resemblance purely coincidental. The first picture is a heraldic symbol from Italy used in Milan (it is also used on the alfa romeo badge) the second picture is of Quetzacoatl from the Codex Telleriano-Remensis.
The Biscione in the Milan coat of arms was being used in the 11th century onwards i think, they would have had no way of knowing of the Quetzacoatl image at that time.
Biscione (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscione)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/mojo4sale/biscione.jpg
Quetzacoatl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzacoatl)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/mojo4sale/Quetzalcoatl_telleriano.jpg
The new world had yet to be discovered by europeans, apparently, yet these two serpent symbols pop up thousands of miles and hundreds of years apart.
I've deliberately mentioned both Snakes and Serpents in my post. Early on in my research i confused the two. They are seperate mythology's similar only in form.
To get to the true symbolism of the mythology you need to be able to make that distinction.
Trust me i learnt the hard way.
Anyway, i think you can probably tell that i have a great love not only for snakes but also for the symbolism and mythology of the Serpent.
mojo.