THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND THE SNAKE DESIGN IN JEWELRY
The animal kingdom has always fascinated the human being. This has always been visible in prehistoric pictorial representations and in every known art form. However, there is an animal that seems to combine different cultures, as it is always at the center of legends, stories, art and mythology.
We’re talking about the snake.
Cultures
The symbol of the snake has an ambivalent character: in many cultures it is a clear representation of evil while in many others, it has positive connotations. For instance, in the Celtic culture the snake is a symbol of transformation and the link between man and the earth, while for Christianity the snake represents absolute evil. It was The Devil itself, in the form of a cunning snake that convinced Eve to disobey God, which resulted in them being exiled from the Garden of Eden.
The serpent acquired two similar meanings in two different cultures at the antipodes of the world in the same historical period: the Maya and the ancient Romans.
For the Maya, a native population of the Americas and more precisely of the present state of Yucatan in Mexico, the serpent god Kukulkán (K'uk'ulkan) was a supernatural and sacred entity. He was represented as a feathered snake and his cult was particularly felt in Chichen Itza. That’s why, it is by standing next to the temple in said archeological site that you can see a stone snake appear on the staircase. It is believed that the descendant of the god Kukulkàn who, on the occasion of autumn and spring solstices, ascends on earth to meet his followers, bringing them blessings and good luck for the seasons to come.
The positive force of the snake can also be traced back to the Ancient Roman Empire.
Asclepius, the God of medicine, was always depicted with a snake-entwined staff, which became a symbol of medicine today. It remains the representation of the healing power of the God, symbolized by the mute reptile that recalls an eternal rebirth.
Jewelry
It is therefore no coincidence that even in jewelry, the snake is a favorite subject by many artisans and designers.
Ancient jewelry depicting snakes have been found in Mesopotamia and Egypt, but it was only thanks to Queen Victoria of England that the fashion for this type of jewelry really took hold even in more modern times.
Bulgari later created the Serpenti collection. At first, the collection only included bespoke wrist watches and later on a collections of fine jewelry embellished with precious stones and colored enamels was added to it.
The famous Italian brand is not the only one to offer jewelry inspired by snakes: Doralia is an example. Our artisans, who were the same to provide Bulgari with the first designs of the iconic snake design, still create amazing interpretations of the models that made the brand famous. Modern and more personal reinterpretations can be found in some of our jewels, such as:
Minimal all gold snake bracelet
Abstract Diamond Snake Chocker
Rose Gold Snake Bracelet with Diamonds
Rose Gold Snake Ring with Diamonds
Snake Ring-Bracelet in 18kt gold, Diamonds and Blue Enamel
PRICE ON REQUEST- CONTACT US: info@doralia.com
