10 Famous Snakes In History, Legend, Or Pop Culture

We have been fascinated by snakes for our entire history.

Every culture has some type of myth surrounding these creatures.

We will take a look at some of these mythological snakes below.

We will also look at famous snakes from pop culture, as well as snake species from history that have since gone extinct.

What I have always found most interesting is the way different cultures depict snakes.

The similarities are actually more striking than the differences. They say a lot about human nature and how alike we all are.

 

10 Famous Snakes In History, Legend, Or Pop Culture

We will begin with perhaps the most famous snake of all time in Christian cultures: the evil serpent from the Bible.

 

The Ancient Serpent Or Genesis Serpent

The snake in the Garden of Eden, also known as the ancient serpent, represents deceit and temptation. It tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit to defy God’s command. This introduces sin into the world.

As punishment, God curses the snake to crawl on its belly, eat dust forever, and be in enmity with humanity for eternity. Some traditions believe that the snake was Satan himself.

 

Nagini

Nagini is a significant character in the Harry Potter series. She was initially a woman, specifically a Maledictus, but was later cursed to turn into a beast. Fans can read more about her in the Fantastic Beasts series.

Nagini is famous as Voldemort’s constant and loyal companion. Voldemort even converts Nagini into one of his Horcruxes to achieve immortality. He always keeps her close to him to keep himself safe.

In the Battle of Hogwarts at the end of the Harry Potter series, Harry’s friend, Neville Longbottom, kills Nagini by decapitating her. This destroys the Horcrux inside her, which helps Harry defeat Voldemort.

 

Kaa

Another well-known fictional snake is Kaa, a character from The Jungle Book, written by Rudyard Kipling. Kaa, an Indian Rock Python, is depicted as both a potential threat and an ally to Mowgli, the young human boy raised by wolves.

Despite being a powerful creature in the jungle, Kaa’s interests often align with Mowgli’s, though their interactions are complex and sometimes dangerous.

In different adaptations of the story, Kaa is portrayed as a bumbling, cowardly villain. Its hypnotic powers make it a formidable presence in the jungle.

It is unclear if Baloo the bear, or any other character, kills Kaa, since different versions of The Jungle Book offer varying outcomes for the snake. In Kipling’s original stories, Kaa is not killed but remains a mysterious and powerful force in the jungle.

 

Asclepius

In Greek mythology, Asclepius was a character associated with serpents, creatures often linked to renewal and healing due to their ability to shed their skin.

In some traditions, Asclepius himself is said to have become an omniscient snake god, embodying the healing properties of all drugs. This is why the symbol of medicine and healing is a snake.

Asclepius was renowned for his exceptional healing abilities. He was said to even have the power to bring the dead back to life. This threatened Zeus, who had him killed.

Despite his death, Asclepius’s legacy endured. To date, he is worshipped as a god of healing. Temples called Asclepieia were established throughout Greece in his honor, where people still seek cures for their ailments. Asclepius’s methods and teachings influenced the development of medical practices in ancient Greece and beyond.

 

Vasuki

Vasuki is the snake around Shiva’s neck and a prominent deity in Hindu mythology. He is also the king of the Nagas, a race of divine serpents. Vasuki is depicted as a powerful cobra with immense strength and deadly venom.

After drinking the venom to save the world, Lord Shiva placed Vasuki around his neck as a garland to signify his mastery over time and his transcendence of the physical realm. The three coils of Vasuki represent the past, present, and future.

Vasuki is also revered as a ruler in Patal Lok, or the netherworld, where he governs the serpents. In some traditions, he is portrayed with multiple heads. Devotees worship Vasuki during the festival of Nag Panchami.

 

Jörmungandr

Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, is a legendary sea serpent in Norse mythology. He is so huge that he encircles Midgard, the human world, and bites his own tail, similar to the Ancient Greek symbol Ouroboros.

Jörmungandr is the offspring of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða. He is known for his malevolent nature and is a foreboding presence in Norse tales.

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, confronts Jörmungandr and ultimately kills him by striking his head. This battle is prophesied to occur during Ragnarök, the end of the world.

 

Titanoboa

The Titanoboa is not a famous snake – it is a snake species that is now extinct. It may have been the largest snake to ever exist and could grow up to 47 feet (14.3 m) long and weigh as much as 2,500 pounds (1,135 kilograms).

Natural climate change and shifting tectonic plates likely contributed to its extinction. Fossils of Titanoboa have been discovered in a coal mine deep within the rainforests of Colombia.

This non-venomous snake primarily preyed on fish, but had remarkable speed on land, despite its immense size. Its thick, robust skin might have been nearly bulletproof, offering protection against predators and environmental threats.

 

Legend Of The White Snake

The Legend of the White Snake, also known as Madame White Snake, is a classic Chinese love story. It has different versions.

In one version, a beautiful snake maiden named Bai Suzhen falls in love with a respected doctor, Xu Xian, after transforming into a human. Their love faces challenges when a monk discovers her true identity and imprisons her beneath a pagoda.

In another version, Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian share a past-life connection: Xu Xian saved Bai Suzhen in his previous life, and she seeks him out to repay his kindness. This karmic connection adds a romantic depth to the story, emphasizing destiny and love.

 

Gorgons

The Gorgons are mythical creatures in Greek mythology known as terrifying snake-haired women. Among them, Medusa is the most famous and was originally the most beautiful. Medusa’s beauty caught the attention of the sea god Poseidon, leading to an affair.

As punishment for this union, Athena transformed Medusa into a hideous creature with snakes for hair and a greenish complexion. Anyone who looked into Medusa’s eyes was instantly turned to stone.

Medusa’s sisters, Stheno and Euryale, were also gorgons. Stheno was the most independent and immortal, while Euryale was known for her piercing cries. Together, they embodied the fearsome power of the Gorgons.

 

Hydra (Lernaean Hydra)

The Lernaean Hydra is a fearsome nine-headed water serpent from Greek mythology. It was born from the union of Typhon (a monstrous snake) and Echidna (half-woman and half-snake). Hydra was created to challenge Hercules as part of his Twelve Labors.

The Hydra’s heads regenerated when severed, making it nearly invincible. Hercules, aided by his nephew Iolaus, defeated the Hydra by cauterizing each neck to prevent regrowth and burying the immortal head under a rock. He also used the Hydra’s venom to poison his arrows.

 

Famous Snakes: Final Thoughts

There you have 10 famous snakes from myths and legends throughout the world, as well as from history and pop culture. How many of these legendary snakes were you already familiar with? Which do you find the most fascinating?

Please feel free to let me know in a comment below. Also let me know if there are any other famous snakes you feel should be included in this list. I will be happy to add them in a future update.