Snakes are one of the oldest symbols, both revered and feared, adored and despised. Their ability to shed their skin gives them a strange duality that has intrigued and mystified throughout the ages.
Snakes can be a symbol of rebirth, shedding their skin and taking on a new life and identity. They have also been seen as symbols of eternity; the looped figure of a snake eating its own tail is a symbol known as an ouroboros. This symbol, which has ancient Egyptian origins, was popular among the Greeks and common in ancient alchemy texts. The endless loop formed by the serpent is representative of eternity, with no beginning and no end.
Snakes are also symbols of guardianship. They are often used in temples throughout the world to act as protectors of the sacred. Angkor Wat, a temple built almost a thousand years ago in Cambodia, has many headed snakes, known as naga, to guard over statues of the Buddha in mediation. They are thought of as wise and powerful guardians that can strike fear into the heart of anyone who would harm what they protect.
Snakes are also strongly linked with health and medicine. Asclepius is the Greek god of medicine, and he is represented holding a staff entwined with a snake. The Greek god Hermes was also depicted carrying a staff entwined with serpents. The well-known symbol of a snake wrapped around a staff has come to represent medicine.
With all the things that snakes symbolize for cultures all around the world, both ancient and modern, it comes as no surprise that people have adorned themselves with representations of the slick and dangerously beautiful creatures. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria popularized wearing snake-themed jewelry when her soon-to-be-husband, Prince Albert, offered her a snake ring on their in engagement. The ring symbolized eternal love and was gold with rubies, diamonds, and an emerald adorning it. Since then, snake jewelry has been a popular choice for both men, and women, all over the world.
Snake jewelry comes in many forms. Snake rings have remained a staple style accessory for the daring and the romantic. Gold snake hoop earrings make a beautiful accessory that can symbolize eternal love like Victoria's ring, or eternity like the ouroboros. Snake jewelry varies in style, and each piece is unique and can mean something different to each person. However snake jewelry is worn, it has a rich history and deep symbolism.
To find out more about a gold snake hoop earring, reach out to a jewelry company near you.
Share24 March 2020
A few days ago, my mother-in-law’s dad passed away. This sweet man lived a long, full life. He was ninety-one-years-old when he died. At his funeral, my mother-in-law told me she liked the ruby, cross pendant I was wearing. Because I wanted to cheer this sweet woman up, I immediately came up with a plan. I decided to buy her a pendant like mine. Because this pendant was also available in sapphire, I decided to purchase this stone for my mother-in-law. Sapphire is her birthstone. On this blog, I hope you will discover the best types of jewelry items to buy for a mother-in-law. Enjoy!