The snake (not only) as a symbol of the mystical feminine
There is hardly any other animal that is so legendary as the snake. In the history of its importance, it has undergone several cultural transformations. Be it in ancient Greece, Rome or Persia - everywhere it was regarded as a special creature that was associated with different deities and character traits. In the Christian countries the snake has a bad reputation, because it is known that in the story of creation it was the snake that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. In the Asian countries, however, it was and still is revered for its wisdom and astuteness.
Her interpretations range from being the faithful companion of various saviour deities and a symbol of fertility, to her role as a mediator between heaven and earth, earth and the underworld. Furthermore, she is associated with the elements earth and water, and especially with the cosmic tree. She stands for the natural instinct, the surge of life force, uncontrolled and undifferentiated. The talk is of potential energy and an animating spirit. At the same time, however, it also stands for power, cunning, insidiousness, cunning, darkness, evil, depravity and the tempter. The snake is the personified power of fate: wanton and incomprehensible.
Especially in early antiquity and in matriarchal cultures the snake is/are among the most revered animals. The reason for this is its recurring moulting, which earned it the reputation of being immortal and elevated it to a symbol of the renewing life force. Its visible proof of the laws of eternal recurrence made it a holy, wise and omniscient animal that was closely related to woman - the giver of life. For example, the snake and cycle goddesses Athena and Medusa, especially since their symbolism was closely linked to that of the moon, since it, like her, was periodically renewed. (more about this)
"In Pelasgian and Mycenaean times, Athena was considered the goddess of snakes par excellence. Her myth says that she could kill and heal with the venom of the snake, which emphasizes the wisdom aspect of the snake. The serpent head of Medusa can also be seen in this context, who according to Jutta Voss was the goddess of the cycle; the snakes on her head are said to represent the cycle as a "spiritual principle" - she interprets the snake as the primal symbol of the eternally renewing power of the female blood. She accompanies all female deities and the great mother, and she is often depicted wrapped around them or held in their hands by them. Here she has the feminine characteristics of the mysterious, enigmatic and intuitive. " (source)
Of course it did not stop there and from then on the Medusa was misused and went down in history as the so-called "castrating Medusa". The fault for this was... Well, who do you think? Right, the patriarchy.
"Another patriarchal appropriation of the former matriarchal serpent symbol appears in the psychoanalytical symbol interpretation using the example of Medusa. The myth says that the sight of the Gorgon head would turn the viewer into stone. Freud, who sexualized everything, interpreted the freezing as an erection, which for the man was the assurance that he was not castrated. In contrast, Klaus Theweleit interprets the head of Medusa as an expression of female potency, even more as a "symbol of the male fear of her uncastrated "terrible" sexual potency", as a man's fear of castration. For how, Theweleit asks, do "the many phallus-like formations get to the head of Medusa? But not because he is missing something, but because he has retained something: all the tails that have tried to suppress female potency"." (source)
The snake as a mystical female being and symbol of fertility and wisdom appears again and again especially in the collections of VIKA JEWELS. Graceful bracelets, wonderfully playful earrings and necklaces, but the Ukrainian also has rings in her repertoire. Even her very personal snake tattoo, which winds around her right forearm, already betrays her enthusiasm for the animal symbol, which has been revered for thousands of years, and its diverse cultural and religious interpretations.
Vika's collections could also be described as changeable and exciting, and the sustainability aspect is also reflected in the snake symbolism. After all, the jewellery material is recycled sterling silver, which has thus also been brought to "new" life and fits into the (consumer) cycle. The packaging is also made of recyclable material, such as old fabric remnants, from which beautiful jewellery bags are already being made.
Especially during her longer stays in Bali, the designer and at the same time managing director has had a lot of contact with the snake and its importance for people and culture. Because, as already mentioned at the beginning: in Asian countries she has always been revered for her astuteness and wisdom. Of course, the dangerous giant worms also occur there far more often than in our home regions. Perhaps this is also a reason why we Europeans, or to put it in smaller words: we Germans, have a little more respect for this lizard-like legendary creature. Just a theory, but certainly not too far-fetched.
Besides, the Bible has done its part in the fact that many of us have our first early childhood association with these creatures, as seducers and the cause of all evil - the expulsion from this allegedly oh so great paradise. Not a good start, admittedly!
Let the incredible power and energy of this wonderful creature convince you and have a look at Vika's Snake Collection. More sensual and noble one can hardly express her symbolism. Looking at this piece of jewellery, it quickly becomes clear why it has had such an attraction to the human eye since the beginning of our history. Her filigree, curved body also adapts wonderfully to the skin and female body shapes.
It's (more than) a match!
NADINE studied Romance Studies (B.A.) and International History of the Modern Age (M.A.) at the University of Bonn. Currently she is working as a freelance author, ghostwriter and model, to have enough time for her research, thoughts and her passion, writing. Traveling is one of her greatest passions, as is her love of literature, cultural studies and linguistics. During one of her journeys she found her way to herself through meditation and mindfulness. On her blog and Instagram, as well as on Facebook, she shares these and other personal experiences from her everyday life as a bisexual woman and talks about past experiences from her open relationship.