Why are snakes given such a bad name?

Question

Besides the Adam and Eve story, where else are snakes portrayed badly? And if they are so bad, why are they entwined on the medical staff (symbol for hospitals and doctors)?

Answer 1

I guess it's their ability to poison a person from the inside without them noticing...as for the medical staff:

"Asclepius was a Greek hero who later became the Greek god of medicine and healing. The son of Apollo and Coronis, Asclepius had five daughters, Aceso, Iaso, Panacea, Aglaea and Hygieia. He was worshipped throughout the Greek world but his most famous sanctuary was located in Epidaurus which is situated in the northeastern Peloponnese. The main attribute of Asclepius is a physician's staff with an Asclepian snake wrapped around it; this is how he was distinguished in the art of healing, and his attribute still survives to this day as the symbol of the modern medical profession."

Answer 2

I Believe this originates from the ancient Sumerian mythology. Many scholars have said that these ancient tablets are the basis for most of the world's religions and mythology, that most of them can be traced back to the ancient Sumerian tablets, which are the oldest writings on earth.

The Sumerians had a god named Eniki (also called Ea or Ae), he was the creator of man, he ruled to lower world (which was the lower region below the equator specially Africa), he was also said to rule the waters and was friend to man. His emblem was the snake which was a symbol of medicine and science. The entwined serpents on the staff go back to the Sumerian tablets.

His brother Enili was the Lord of the gods and was next in line for ruler after their father even though Eniki was the elder because Enili's mother was also his father's half sister which made him next in line for kingship through the bloodline as their custom was.

This caused a major rivalry between the brothers. It has been speculated that when Eniki created man and gave him intelligence that his brother Enili lord of the gods became enraged with his brother because he thought that man would try to become like a god so he cursed Eniki. Enili was the superior god, and it is speculated that as these stories were passed on for thousands of years before they were written down again by the Hebrews and that the stories changed and Enil, lord of the gods became god, and Enili the creator became a snake and associated to Satan (which means adversary). The lower world which he ruled eventually became the underworld and then hell.

Answer 3

As for the medical symbol you are right in where it comes from but the meaning has been lost. Then for an other example of the wrath of a snake, look at the Aborigines of Australia and the snakes of the dream-time (beginning), incarnated as something like a god. Why the bad name though may be the fear of something that slides on its belly or that if you get bitten get medical attention

Answer 4

karma


As I go through life, fixing my mistakes one at a time, I’ve learned a thing or two about Karma, and part of keeping good Karma is sharing it with others. I hope these notions help you as much as they’ve helped me.
Do good things and good things will happen to you. Do bad things and it will come back and bite you in the ***.

If you want a better life, you need to be a better person.

Bad luck might be contagious. It wouldn’t be fair to bring someone into your life until you clean yours up.

Never underestimate the power of confidence. And never underestimate fifteen beers, a little enlightenment, and the power of Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock.

A person needs a little rest after having his moustache tickled at a gay bar.

You have to do the hard things in life sooner or later.

If you want the reward, you have to do the work.

The secret to life is fixing all the bad things that you’ve done.

Whether picking up trash, returning stolen merchandise, or helping a homosexual find love, it always has the same reward… feeling good about yourself.

Karma. You got to love it.

Answer 5

They evolved as our enemies so we still hold that conotation plus some are straight up deadly. They are stealthy, so people equate sneaky people who steal **** to snakes. The actualy medical symbol has a gross history, there is a parasite that is a worm that is removed from the body by wrapping it around a poll when it emerges from a wound. I forget the species of parasite, but it still is an issue in many underdeveloped countries.

Answer 6

Remember "The Jungle Book"? That snake was a jerk! He kept trying to hypnotize and deceive people. I'd say that was a typical stereotype of a snake, carried down from our Adam and Eve days.

Answer 7

In many cultures snakes are used to symbolize cunning and self determination. I believe, aside form the obvious biblical references to the devil using the form of a snake, many are scared of snakes because they represent using our own skills, brains and abilities to get things done. Cultures around the world honor the traits of the snake. (Native American, Australian, Egyptian, African, Latin, Chinese, Hungarian.....)

Answer 8

as to where snakes have been portrayed as evil i cannot answer but i can answer the second part of the question. snakes are mianly portrayed as dangerous and evil because they attack and they kill. so people are afraid. but what most people fail to see is that when the snake attacks it strikes in fear. the snake fears human beings for we are larger. but if we are afraid of what kills and attacks shouldn't we be afraid of ourselves? snakes really aren't evil they are just what you think them to be.

Answer 9

Hello,
Foresaken13. Has the answer that you seek as far as the medicinal symbol goes...

Answer 10

Because alot of People Fear them