Snakes may be responsible for tens of thousands of deaths across India each year, but this fearsome reptile is a powerful symbol in the region’s religions.
Snakes have been milked for their venom for centuries. Frenchman Léon Charles Albert Calmette (1863–1933) created the world’s first antivenom for snake bites in 1894.
The immunologist developed antibody-based antivenoms by injecting snake venom into horses. The work revolutionised the treatment of bites from these poisonous predators, yet snakes have maintained their fearsome reputation and remain powerful symbols of malice in many religions.
In the Bible, it was a serpent who tempted Eve to take a bite of the fruit from the forbidden tree. The Medusa of Greek mythology, a gorgon with serpents for hair, turned to stone anyone who dared to look into her eyes. Similarly, from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series slithered Nagini, a malicious serpent and right hand to the main antagonist, Lord Voldemort.
With popular culture and religions giving snakes negative connotations, it’s easy to overlook the fact that some belief systems view snakes in a positive light. They are seen is a semidivine deity that is half human and half serpent. have concretely established themselves in these religious philosophies and legends.
