Snakes on the Skin
By T. R. Flora, Contributing Writer

Snakes have long fascinated humans, and have become an integral part of the legends and myths of many civilizations. Also known as serpents, snakes have been both vilified and glorified throughout the ages. In the Christian religion, the serpent is viewed as both good and bad—think of Adam and Eve but also of the healing brass serpent of Moses. The snake is also a symbol of the healing arts. In Greek mythology, some believe Dionysus had the form of a snake, while Python was a serpent that lived in the caves of Mount Parnassus. Medusa had snakes for hair. In ancient India, cobras were regarded as reincarnations of important people, while in South America, legend has it that the first Ceubos emerged from the river as an anaconda, becoming human after shedding their skins. In Aztec lore, Huitzilopochtli wielded a serpent as a sword and Quetzalcoatl was the feathered serpent god. The fascination for snakes carries on to the present day, and is evoked in the world of fine jewelry. In their bejeweled form, at least, women enjoy having snakes on the skin.