Symbolism of Snakes & Water
The archetype of the healer is a recurring motif in ancient mythologies, transcending cultural boundaries and embodying themes of restoration, transformation, and connection to the divine. This paper delves into the representations of the healer archetype in three distinct ancient civilizations: Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Mesopotamia. By exploring the stories of Asklepios, Isis, and Gula, I will explore the emergent symbolism of snakes and water in the process of healing and transformation through each mythological story.
THE SNAKE
Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, is often depicted with his emblematic staff entwined by a serpent (Ratief, 2005). This imagery holds deep symbolism within the context of healing and medicine. The snake, known for shedding its skin and renewing itself, represents transformation and rejuvenation. In the myth of Asklepios, his mother Coronis is killed due to her unfaithfulness, and Asklepios is saved and nurtured by the god Apollo (Tick, 2001). This mirrors the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, which is central to healing (Campbell, 1991). The serpent's presence in Asklepios' staff reflects its dual nature - the venom of the snake can bring death, yet its venom can also be transformed into medicine, symbolizing the healer's ability to wield both destructive and restorative powers (Ratief, 2005). The staff itself represents the concept of equilibrium and balance, essential for healing to occur. Moreover, Asklepios' healing temples, known as Asclepieia, included non-venomous snakes that were believed to bring divine healing energy. Pilgrims seeking healing would sleep within these temples, hoping to receive dreams and visions that would guide their recovery, emphasizing the role of dreams in the healing process. “The complex always included an abaton (open porch with roof) where patients underwent “incubation sleep” (sometimes under the influence of sleeping draughts) while the priests silently moved among the patients with their sacred serpents which often licked the individuals’ lesions or injuries” (Ratief, 2005).
In Ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Isis holds profound significance as a healer and protector. The serpent, often associated with her, represents the duality of life and death, as well as regeneration (Ratief, 2005). The ancient Egyptians believed that Isis possessed the knowledge of magical incantations that could heal illnesses and provide protection. The use of snake symbolism in the context of Isis speaks to her power over life and death and her ability to transform and renew. “In early Egyptian civilisation there is already evidence of a supposed relationship between snakes and healing. In a hymn to the goddess Mertseger, a workman on the Necropolis of Thebes relates how the goddess came to him in the form of a snake to heal his illness” (Ratief, 2005). The story of Isis and Osiris involves the serpent as well. After Osiris is murdered by his brother Set, Isis searches for his body parts and reassembles them. A snake, in some versions, helps her recover one of Osiris' body parts, reflecting the snake's role as a guide in the journey of healing and resurrection. This myth showcases the transformative aspect of healing, where life emerges from death (Ramsden, 2019).
Gula, a goddess in Ancient Mesopotamian mythology, is associated with healing and well-being. Her symbol is often represented by two intertwined snakes. These serpents represent the duality of illness and health, and their intertwined nature signifies the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual aspects of healing. Gula's role as a healer emphasizes the importance of water, as she is often depicted with a vase pouring water, which symbolizes purification and cleansing. Water, like the snake's shedding of skin, signifies renewal and transformation. The snake symbolism also underscores the goddess's ability to navigate between the realms of life and death, similar to the shedding of skin in the snake's natural process (Ratief, 2005).
Comparative Analysis of Snakes
Across these three mythologies, the symbolism of snakes signifies the intricate relationship between healing, transformation, and rebirth. Snakes are often seen as guardians of hidden knowledge and guides in traversing the liminal space between life and death. The archetype of the healer in Asklepios, Isis, and Gula shares the theme of utilizing this serpent symbolism to access transformative energies and restore balance.
In each mythology, the healer figure is associated with dreams and visions, often experienced during pilgrimages to sacred sites. These dream experiences are seen as divine interventions, guiding individuals towards the path of healing. The journey of healing is depicted as a pilgrimage, where the seeker undergoes a transformative process, shedding old aspects of themselves to emerge renewed and revitalized.
In conclusion, the archetype of the healer in Asklepios, Isis, and Gula showcases the symbolic importance of snakes in their respective mythologies. The serpent's ability to shed its skin, its dual nature of life and death, and its role as a guide in transformative journeys parallel the healing process. This symbolism underscores the profound interconnectedness of healing, transformation, and the cycles of life and death in these ancient cultures.
WATER
Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, embodies the archetype of the healer through his association with water in various aspects. In Greek mythology, he is often depicted near healing springs, emphasizing the therapeutic properties of water (Tick, 2001). These healing springs were considered sacred and were believed to have the power to cure ailments. The symbolism of water in Asklepios' myth highlights its purifying, rejuvenating, and life-giving qualities. The water symbolism in Asklepios' story extends to his healing temples, known as Asclepieia, where individuals seeking healing would immerse themselves in pools or baths as part of the ritual. These baths were believed to bring about physical and spiritual cleansing, echoing the transformative power of water. Moreover, water is linked to the concept of dreams and visions, as seekers who visited Asclepieia would sleep within the temples in hopes of receiving divine guidance through dreams, underscoring the connection between water, dreams, and healing.
In Ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Isis is associated with the symbolism of water, particularly the waters of the Nile River. The Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, providing fertile soil for agriculture and sustaining life in the region. Isis' healing attributes are linked to her role as a protector and nurturer, paralleling the life-sustaining qualities of water. The myth of Osiris and Isis further emphasizes the symbolism of water in healing. After Osiris is murdered and dismembered, Isis searches for his body parts along the banks of the Nile. The waters of the Nile play a pivotal role in Osiris' resurrection, as his body is reassembled and brought back to life through the power of water (Ramsden, 2019). This myth underscores the transformative potential of water and its connection to healing and renewal.
Gula, the goddess of healing in Ancient Mesopotamia, is closely associated with water, particularly in its purifying and cleansing capacities. Water was essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing disease, and Gula's healing temples often had bathing and purification rituals. The symbolic connection between water and healing in Gula's mythology signifies the removal of impurities and the restoration of health.
In Mesopotamian texts, Gula is referred to as "the great physician," and her ability to heal is likened to the nourishing and life-giving qualities of water. Her healing aspects are linked to both physical and emotional well-being, as water's fluidity mirrors the idea of restoring harmony and balance in the body and spirit.
Comparative Analysis of Water
In the mythologies of Asklepios, Isis, and Gula, the symbolism of water represents healing, purification, and transformation. The archetype of the healer is deeply intertwined with the life-affirming qualities of water in each culture. Water's ability to cleanse, rejuvenate, and sustain life aligns with the healers' roles in restoring health, both physically and spiritually. Moreover, the incorporation of water in healing rituals and practices highlights its universal significance across these ancient cultures. Whether through healing springs, the Nile River, or purification baths, water serves as a conduit for divine intervention and a medium through which healing energy flows.
In conclusion, the archetype of the healer is enriched by the symbolism of water in the mythologies of Asklepios, Isis, and Gula. Water's transformative properties, its role in dreams and visions, and its capacity to cleanse and rejuvenate contribute to a shared understanding of healing as a holistic process that encompasses both the body and the spirit.
Conclusion
The healer archetype is a testament to the universal human quest for restoration and transformation, spanning across diverse ancient civilizations. Through the stories of Asklepios, Isis, and Gula, we observe how the symbolism of snakes and water encapsulates the healer's role in facilitating physical and spiritual healing. These shared motifs emphasize the interconnectedness of humanity's pursuit of well-being, irrespective of cultural and geographical boundaries. The archetypal portrayal of healers underscores the enduring human desire for wholeness and connection to the divine, forming a timeless thread woven into the fabric of ancient mythologies. The questions remains, however, is why do we see these striking similarities in symbolism woven throughout ancient culture? Campbell would prescribe this phenomenon to the concept of the human “monomyth” (Campbell, 1991), or the singular mythological foundation that emerges from the depths of the human psyche. Perhaps we can view the water as a representation of the womb and the snake as a phallic symbolism – the union of the two reminding our consciousness that the process of healing and transformation mirrors the miracle of original creation.
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