Ruth Azawa's homage to Makoto Hagawara and family who "NURTURED AND SHARED THIS GARDEN FROM 1895 - 1942" - Japanese Tea Garden
The best known Chinese folk representation of snakes is the Legend of the White Snake. The snake’s role in it has gone from bad to good
Xinyi Wu
Published: 7:15 am, 16 Dec 2024 Updated: 11:53 am, 10 Jan 2025 - South China Morning Post
The snake may be less celebrated in Chinese culture than, say, the dragon – the coming Year of the Snake does not have quite the same ring to it as the Year of the Dragon.
But the reptile is just as rich in symbolism and lore as the mythical beast, appearing in mythology, literature and art, representing both good and evil.
Nüwa, the mother goddess credited with creating humanity in Chinese mythology, is often depicted with a human head and serpent-like body, reflecting the snake’s association with reproduction and life.
Perhaps the most famous representation of snakes is the Legend of the White Snake, one of China’s four great folktales. The story describes a romance between a mortal man and a white snake spirit who has transformed into a beautiful lady. Many centuries later, it continues to captivate audiences and inspire adaptations.
From evil to good snake, how the zodiac animal became a righteous figure in Chinese mythology
Greg