“What is up with the snakes?” It’s a question I often hear in my space at Witch City Ink. Snakes are a recurring motif in my world – from the artwork adorning my walls to the snake print leather on my tattoo chair, and of course, the snake tattoos inked onto my own skin. This fascination sparks curiosity, and delving into the myth, symbolism, and my personal connection to snakes is a story I’m always eager to share.
Symbols possess a profound and pervasive power. Living with a symbol is akin to dwelling by a fire; it leaves an indelible mark, much like the lingering scent of smoke.
The snake is an emblem deeply intertwined with transformation, creation, wisdom, healing, the mysteries of the underworld, the cyclical nature of life, the spiral of evolution, the fluid element of water, and the duality of death and eternal life. Across cultures globally, snakes hold significant mythological and symbolic weight. Serpent deities abound, and countless narratives feature snakes in diverse roles – as benevolent guides, troublesome tricksters, malevolent forces, or often, a complex blend of all three. The rich tapestry of snake symbolism is vast and multifaceted, far exceeding the scope of a single exploration. However, I want to share some personal insights into why the snake resonates with me as a totem and why you might consider embracing its symbolism in your next intentional tattoo.
Close-up of a snake tattoo design sheet
My journey with snake tattoos began over a decade ago, following a powerful women’s initiatory ritual. This experience involved our group constructing and navigating a labyrinth (you can learn more about labyrinths here). At the labyrinth’s heart stood a woman, holding a large, living python. As I walked the winding path, a question arose within me: how should I approach this embodiment of the divine at the center? Should I kneel in reverence? Offer profound words? What is the appropriate response when encountering the divine in tangible form?
Continuing my walk, the path led me closer, yet the answer remained elusive. Reaching the center, an internal shift occurred. I stood taller, met the gaze of the woman with the magnificent snake coiling around her neck and shoulders, and in that instant, I understood. The only authentic response was to meet her directly, eye to eye, as an equal.
This encounter with the snake priestess marked my first visceral understanding of my own inherent divinity. It was a life-altering moment, prompting me to immediately seek my first snake tattoo – a permanent reminder on my skin of this profound recognition of my own divine nature.
Tattoo artist with snake tattoo on arm
Snake tattoo on hand
Symbols are dynamic entities, alive and responsive. Like us, their essence shifts and adapts depending on context and relationship. And just as we evolve, so too do symbols, constantly changing and accumulating meaning. As we cultivate a connection with a symbol, we weave our own personal narrative into its tapestry.
Growing up in a Christian-influenced culture, the earliest snake myth I encountered was the tale of Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden. A familiar version of this story unfolds:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened.
While this narrative is often interpreted as the origin of sin and human fallibility, I see it as a potent story of empowerment. The snake appears, prompting Eve to question received information. Eve exercises her own discernment, recognizing the value in something previously forbidden. By acting on her own insight, she attains divine-like knowledge. This is not a tale of sin, but of awakening to one’s true will and the inherent power that accompanies such self-discovery – with the snake acting as a catalyst.
In this light, the snake embodies the acquisition of personal power and wisdom, particularly in areas deemed forbidden or dangerous. It encourages us to trust our intuition, act on what we perceive as valuable – not merely on externally imposed truths – and embrace the transformative journey that unfolds when we heed these inner impulses.
Detailed snake and flower tattoo design
Another vivid snake encounter occurred while harvesting blue vervain in the South Dakota hills. I found myself alarmingly close to a rattlesnake. Miles from any road or dwelling, as I bent to cut a plant, the distinct rattle resonated from beneath a shrub just a foot away. Instantly, I froze, focused, acutely present, every fiber of my being aware of my heartbeat, my own mortality, as I retreated slowly.
In the presence of that rattlesnake, I experienced the raw awe of being a hair’s breadth from potential death. That which holds immense transformative power also holds the capacity for destruction. The snake, in this sense, is not a comfortable companion. It signifies an invitation to confront mortality, to shed old layers like skin in the pursuit of becoming our next iteration. Its lessons are often delivered as venom – the very poison that can also heal.
Black and gray snake tattoo design
Within the vast historical and mythological context of snake meaning, these are my personal touchstones. So, when asked, “What is up with the snakes?” the concise answer is that I am passionate about tattooing them as a constant reminder to embrace our innate divinity, to trust our intuition even when it challenges conventional wisdom, to seek personal power and knowledge, and to reconcile ourselves with fear, death, and the necessary process of letting go in service of profound personal transformation.
Do you have a snake tattoo that carries a specific meaning for you? A cherished snake myth or personal anecdote? I’d love to hear your stories! Considering incorporating snake symbolism into your next tattoo? I would be delighted to assist you. Message me at @snakeoclock or contact Witch City Ink to schedule a consultation.
Snake tattoo on leg
