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You're listening to Ancient Relics and Their Stories, a special series of A Thousand Wise. Many people are afraid of snakes, but how come such a scary image has been the favorite throughout the history of Chinese civilization, and has even become one of the 12 zodiac animals on the lunar calendar? How are snakes represented in traditional artifacts, and what does the snake symbolize compared with its meaning elsewhere? Hello, I'm Lin Shao-Wen. As we are entering the Chinese lunar year of the snake, our final episode of Ancient Relics and Their Stories looks into the Chinese perception of this long crawling feature, first as something to be worshipped, and then as popular household accessories and in folklore. You might find what at first seems strange is actually an expression of sophistication. For centuries, snakes have intrigued people around the world. In some cultures, they symbolize wisdom and power. In others, they represent mystery or temptation. Snakes appear in myths worldwide. Their meanings and the way they are revered differ greatly. It's a creature of mystery. It has captivated people across cultures for millennia. It's graceful. Can I say that? Its winding movements evoked all curiosity and fear in equal measures. In the Biblical Garden of Eden, the serpent symbolizes temptation, leading Adam and Eve to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. In this narrative, the snake means both the allure of the unknown and the challenges it inspires. But in Chinese culture, the snake is more closely tied to the origin of life and the balance of the universe. Our creation myths describe Fuxi and Niua as the earliest human ancestors. From brother and sister to husband and wife, they not only gave life to the very first humans, but also brought harmony to the world. Fuxi is credited with creating the eight trigrams for us to understand the natural order of the universe, while Niua, revered as the protector of life, repaired the broken sky after a devastating disaster. Their half-human, half-snake forms symbolize the balance of the opposites, men and women, life and death, making and breaking. Their imagery became prominent during the Han dynasty, where they were often depicted together in funerary art. These divine figures, with human torsos and serpentine lower bodies, reflected both their cultural significance and their connection to Mother Nature. They were seen as guardians of the afterlife, symbolizing regeneration, protection and the cyclical nature of life. These myths were artistically rendered in Han dynasty carvings. For example, in Hunan Museum, a carved brick shows Fuxi and Niua holding compasses and rulers, their intertwined serpentine forms symbolizing the unity of heaven and earth. Similarly, a stone carving from Sichuan Museum portrays their entwined figures emphasizing their sacred connection to life and the cosmos. The snake in these myths embodies the endless cycle of life, reflecting an ancient reverence for the power of nature. Interestingly, this symbolism is not unique to Chinese culture. In Greek mythology, the staff of Asclepius, the god of medicine, features a coiled snake symbolizing healing and wisdom, a universal symbol of life's renewal. But in another myth, you encounter Medusa the Gorgon with snakes for hair whose gaze would turn you to stone, same creature on the same land, sharp differences. Despite the different meanings in different cultures, one thing is consistent. It represents man's deep connection to nature and symbolizes power, wisdom and renewal. This explains why in early Chinese civilizations, snake motifs were widely featured in jade carvings and on bronze artifacts. These designs have not only passed down the snake's mythological connotations but also transformed it into a lasting cultural symbol. In fact, the snake's role goes beyond mythology. It is the very foundation of the dragon, one of China's most iconic symbols. In ancient totems, the snake came first, its coiling body inspiring key features that would later define the dragon. Many scholars believe that the snake was the prototype of the dragon, a creature deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. Over time, the snake transformed from a symbol of nature worship into one that represented divine power and mythical strength. Its legacy is not only found in ancient myths but also intricately carved into the pottery and bronze artifacts of early Chinese civilizations, offering a window into the beliefs of the time. Nearly 5,000 years ago, the Liangzhu culture thrived in what is now the Yangtze River Delta in East China. Renowned for its exquisite jade and pottery, this Neolithic civilization often used snake motifs in its designs, providing valuable insights into earlier snake symbolism. Take, for example, a black pottery vessel called a Dao unearthed from the Fu Quan Shan site in Shanghai. Its ring features coiling snake patterns with flowing lines, delicate cloud-like motifs and tiny circular dots. Between the snakes, bird motifs add to the intricate design. This craftsmanship not only highlights the artistic sophistication of Liangzhu culture but also reflects their deep respect for the natural world. Similar snake motifs have been found on other Liangzhu artifacts, including jars, tripod vessels and bowls. They were not just practical, they likely held ritual significance, serving as a bridge between humans and the spiritual realm. About 3,000 to 3,600 years ago, during the late Sha and early Shang dynasties, the Sanxingdui civilization thrived in present-day Sichuan province in southwest China. Known for its bold and imaginative artistry, Sanxingdui artifacts offers a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural world of the ancient Shu people. Among these discoveries, the bronze snake stands out as a striking example of the role snakes played in their belief system. One remarkable item is a bronze snake unearthed in 1986. This artifact made using a segmented casting technique consisting of three parts ingeniously joined together. The snake's tail curves upward as if it's poised to strike at any moment. Its body is adorned with intricate scales and diamond-shaped patterns, each detail meticulously crafted. These features, both lifelike and symbolic, reflect the duality of the snake as a creature of both power and mystery. The artifact also includes small rings on its neck and abdomen, suggesting that it might have been hung from a sacred object, perhaps a ritual tree or altar. It also suggests that the bronze snake played a central role in ceremonies, acting as a medium between humans and the divine. The prominence of the snake in Sanxingdui culture may stem from the awe and reverence of the ancient Shu people felt towards the natural world. As human life is threatened by powerful predators, the snake, with its agility, strength and venom, was an image of counter-deterrence that people admired. Within the community, it means on one side law and order, or internal discipline to whoever misbehaved, while on the other, benevolence to those who did behave. To outsiders, it means deterrence and destruction. That's why primitive artifacts predominantly bear gargoyle designs, only partially benign. In real life, most people have a fear of snakes, but they want such ferocious figures to deal with bad guys at home and outside. That's also the reason many companies, banks and wealthy families use fierce-looking stone statues of lion as gatekeepers, or having pictures of tenacious warriors on front doors. No one expects a yes-man or Mr. Nice to be their police chief and commander-in-chief or bodyguards. It has to be a tough guy. This cultural reverence was transformed into artistic expression, as seen in the bold and dynamic designs of Sanxingdui bronze artifacts, where snake emblems not only highlight their importance in religious practices, but also indicate how the Shu people understood and negotiated their relationship with nature. Meanwhile, around 3,100 to 3,600 years ago, in the central plains of China during the Shang dynasty, snake motifs appeared on bronze ritual vessels. Unlike the bold and dynamic style of snakes in Sanxingdui, the snakes in Shang branches were often secondary elements, blending with other designs to create intricate patterns. These vessels, used in rituals to honor ancestors, showcased a mix of artistic sophistication and cultural symbolism. As time passed, the use of snake motifs gradually declined, becoming more geometric and decorative, but its symbolic association with nature and transformation remained influential, especially in folklore and storytelling. One enduring example of this transition is the legend of the white snake, a tale that has captured people's imagination for centuries. The story records that Bai Suzhen, a benevolent snake spirit who transforms into a woman, and marries a mortal man, Xixian, as a token of gratitude, as Xixian, in a previous life 3,000 years ago, had once saved her life when she was a baby snake. The story of the white snake ranked among the top four folk tales in China, and has inspired countless adaptations in literature, local operas and pallets. Its blend of romance and fantasy showcases the enduring symbolic power of the snake, as a creature of transformation and connection bridging the natural and spiritual worlds. Over time, the image of the snake has always been more than just a mythical figure, its center stage was then shifted from ceremonies, artifacts, palaces and cemeteries, to bed sites, tea houses, classrooms and performance stages. In other words, it became part of everyday life, taking on new meanings over time. From a symbol of nature's mystery to items of practical use, the snake's image has evolved alongside culture shifts. Starting around the 15th century, snake designs began to appear in household jewelry. In the Ming Dynasty, snake-shaped bracelets were often made from silver or jade. The snake's body, coiled into a perfect loop, was carved with detailed gracefully carving scales. These pieces weren't just decorative, they reflected an ancient respect for the snake as a symbol of vitality and protection. By the Qing Dynasty, snake designs were more refined, especially in white jade pendants. These pendants, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, were known for their smooth, elegant craftsmanship and were commonly used to symbolize longevity and good fortune. They weren't merely accessories but also personal talismans, carrying the wishes for health and happiness. From the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, the shift from simple decorative patterns to meaningful personal ornaments shows how craftsmanship developed while cultural symbols continue to evolve. In modern times, the snake motif has found a new life in jewelry. Many designers in China today are merging traditional elements with modern aesthetics, using the snake as inspiration for unique pieces such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all bearing good hopes for a happy life. While its original role in ceremonies and beliefs were mainly taken over by its younger but much bigger cousin, the dragon. And as one of the 12 zodiac animals, the snake also appears in souvenirs, especially for those born in the year of the snake. Although the snake sequentially comes after the late comer, the dragon. As a real animal, the snake could be a nightmare for humans, with or without venom. But its manifestations, as art and artifacts, never fail to attract us. With that, we come to the end of our last episode of Ancient Relics and Their Stories. I'm Ling Shaobun and I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the fascinating role of the snake in Chinese culture and other ancient relics featured in our previous episodes and gained a better understanding of Chinese civilization, our lives, beliefs and creation stories. As we approach the year of a snake, may it bring you wisdom, transformation and good fortune in all your endeavors. Thank you for listening. Bye for now.