"The Snake from Multiple Perspectives": Symbolism and Formal Exploration in Artistic

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Authors: Chenxuan Wang
Cited by: 0

Abstract

In different cultures, the image of a snake can stand for different things. No matter in ancient myths and religions or modern arts, the snake can be the sign of wisdom and life cycles. However, snake can also mean danger and lies. Both ancient and modern artists use the snake in their work. They use different materials and styles to show their own understanding of snake. Despite the snake is such a complex image, it remains to be a crucial part for artists to express themselves in their works. This article looks at the meanings of the snake in art history in a critical way. It studies how different artists think and work. It also compares their works to see what is the same and what is different. The goal is to find out the variety of the symbol, its symbolization and art form. Furthermore, this article analyzes how different cultures influence the attitude to the snake and how artists use visual elements, such as line, color, and form, to highlight these symbolic meanings.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Visual Culture and Art Theory Cultural and Mythological Studies Art Aesthetics and Perception

Publication details

Journal / source
Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology
Volume
160
Pages
560–564
Publication date
20 January 2026