Heim»Tattoo»Animals»150 Amazing Snake Tattoo Designs and Meanings
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Dylan 8. October 2020
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Are you looking for snake tattoo ideas? Read on to see some of the best designs we've come across.
The snake is one of the oldest and most complex symbols, and its meaning is full of contradictions, ambiguities and duality.
Snake-themed tattoos, just like the animal they depict, can have a whole range of seemingly contradictory meanings.
In this article we will explore the different meanings of the snake in tattoo art and look at some of the most popular snake tattoo designs.
First things first: what does a snake design mean?
Meaning of snake tattoos
Today, for most people - especially in the West - the snake is a symbol of the devil, of lies and deception, and of manipulation. "Snake" is a pejorative term with negative implications.
For example, remember that calling someone a "snake in the grass" is the same as calling them treacherous and devious.
However, this was not always the case. Snakes are powerful symbols with a long history of representing mostly positive ideas and concepts.
It wasn't until the Christian Bible used a snake as a manifestation of the devil that these negative connotations surfaced and - unfortunately for our scaly, snake-like friends - stuck.
rebirth
Before being effectively defamed by Christian tradition and mythology, snakes were primarily a symbol of rebirth in a number of cultures and traditions.
This association likely has to do with the snake's habit of shedding its skin. This is a process by which snakes effectively slip out of their old skin, leaving them in one piece.
The purpose behind this behavior is to allow further growth and remove parasites.
It's a perfectly normal process, but to people thousands of years ago it must have seemed magical, to say the least. Snakes have therefore long been considered a symbol of life, death and rebirth.
A snake-style tattoo can thus mean a rebirth - for example, a powerful transformation or a turning point in one's life. It can also express the belief that life and death are part of the same cycle.
From an occult perspective, snakes are powerful alchemy symbols associated with mercury - and therefore with psychic life forces of life, death and rebirth.
The snake tattoo design most commonly chosen to represent the meaning of rebirth is that of the ouroboros.
The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol with a circular shape consisting of a snake biting its own tail.
Variations on this design include a version in the shape of an "8" based on the infinity symbol and two snakes biting each other's tails.
cure
The snake is a symbol of health, especially the healing process. This association probably comes from ancient Greek mythology, in which the god of medicine, Asclepius, was closely associated with snakes.
Legend has it that Asklepios had shown kindness to a snake - and snakes were considered sacred by the ancient Greeks and possessed unusual wisdom. In return, the serpent licked Asclepius' ears and taught him secret knowledge of medicine.
The Staff of Asclepius is a symbol that is still commonly used in the emblems of medical organizations today. It is in the form of a staff with a single serpent coiled around it. It's one of the clearest choices for a snake design meant to symbolize healing and well-being.
It is important that the staff of Asklepios should not be confused with thatHermesstab, despite similar appearances.
The caduceus is a staff symbol with two serpents and a pair of wings - and is associated with the Greek god Hermes, representing trade and commerce (and often used incorrectly by medical organizations...).
Schutz
Snakes are a symbol of protection in many cultures. Mythologically they are seen as guardians of temples, gates and treasures.
The reason for this is that when threatened, most snakes will defend their ground rather than retreat.
Cobras are the most common choice for guardian snake tattoos, as their elevated position and spread "hood" most clearly suggest a confident defensive stance.
The devil
In the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible, it is a serpent that convinces Eve to defy God's commands.
This mention is the main reason for the negative connotations we have with snakes these days - although of course the fact that many snakes can kill a human with a single bite is also not without significance.
Ever since they embodied the devil in the Bible, snakes have been associated with evil forces, with revenge, vindictiveness and the occult - in a negative sense.
So a snake-themed design can be a reference to these newer symbolic meanings. It can signify danger or indicate that the wearer is not afraid to defy the rules of dominant ideologies.
Popular snake tattoos
Snakes are fairly versatile symbols that make for equally versatile tattoo elements - they can be a great subject for almost any tattoo style.
When designing snake body art, there is plenty of scope to get really creative. Still, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with existing trends and motifs.
Japanese snake tattoo
Snakes are often used either as the main theme or as additional elements in Japanese style tattoos. These are complex, colorful designs that are very distinctive in style and appearance. They make for large tattoos, usually all over the back or sleeve.
In Japanese culture, snakes have a positive meaning - they symbolize health, regeneration, wisdom and protection.
look at thatArticle to learn more about Japanese tattoosand check out some stunning examples.
Skull and snake tattoos
A real classic. Symbolically, this design refers to the association between snakes and the idea of rebirth and the cycle of life and death.
The skull (usually a human skull in tattoos) is usually equated with death, but more broadly it is a symbol of mortality rather than the end itself.
There are several stylistic options for this design, with the most popular today being a 3D tattoo. This technique involves using precise shading and less harsh lines to create an illusion of photorealism in a tattoo.
That being said, a traditional or just outline style are also perfectly viable options.
Rose and snake tattoos
Rosen, especially red ones, are a symbol of love and passion. In post-biblical times, snakes have, among other things, the meaning of encouragement to sin. Together these two elements can be understood as a combined symbol of temptation.
A red rose with a black snake for contrast is the most popular choice for this design alongside an all black design. Again, some level of realism is usually present to make the tattoo more prominent and darker and have a more gothic tone.
A snake and apple tattoo will also be a reference to temptation and sin and will likely appear in a similar color scheme (red apple, black/dark snake).
Bracelet snake tattoos
A tattoo of a thin snake wrapping around the arm or wrist like a bracelet is one of the more complex variants of the tattooBracelet Tattoo.
Tattoos of this type are usually on the small side, with the snake wrapping around the arm once or twice. With a single coil, the snake may bite its own tail - creating a armband tattoo of the ouroboros.
Large, thick snakes wrapped around the arm take up more space and are likely to look more like a sleeve or half-sleeve than a bracelet.
Snake Biting Hand Tattoo (Snake Handshake)
This design features a snake's head with fangs embedded in a human hand. The resulting image looks like a twisted version of a handshake — and in a way, it is.
The design has its origins in the seaman's tattoo of a handshake - popular with seafarers since the late 19th century and meant to represent friendship, loyalty and peace.
The snake handshake tattoo is an ironic twist on this motif and has the opposite meaning. Broadly speaking, this means that no one can be trusted and anyone can end up being a traitor.
This type of design is usually done in the traditional style with black outlines and mostly solid fill colors.
This is the style in which the original handshake sailor tattoos were done, so it makes sense that the redesigned version would follow the same aesthetic.
A snake and dagger tattoo can convey a similar meaning - daggers are often a symbol of treason (being stabbed in the back).
snake head tattoos
The decision to include only the head of the snake in the tattoo is purely a stylistic decision – the meaning and symbolism of a snake head remains the same as that of a whole snake.
If you only give a snake design a small amount of space - such as For example, on the back of the neck or wrist - tattooing just the snake's head might be a better choice. This allows the artist to add more details like the snake's eyes and fangs.
The tattoo, even if it's quite small, will still be very noticeable - we're instinctively programmed to be alerted to anything with scales and big fangs, so this design is sure to evoke a reaction!
last words
Snake themed body art can have countless meanings and endless looks.
From traditional to gothic and realistic, snake tattoo designs of any style are sure to look bold and eye-catching, especially when paired with other elements for contrast and added meaning.
The gallery below is full of beautiful snake ideas to inspire your next design. Leave us a comment below if you picked a favorite!
FAQs
What does snake tattoo design mean? ›
However, across many cultures, the snake is a symbol of fertility and creative life force, due in part to the snake's phallic shape. The ability of a snake to shed its own skin means that it can be interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, change, transformation, or healing.
What does a traditional snake tattoo mean? ›Snake tattoos represent potency and power. Unlike panthers, which are usually depicted in mid-action, snakes are typically shown coiled and ready to strike, representing a don't-tread-on-me sensibility, thus warding off evil, misfortune and potential brawls.
What does snake and rose tattoo mean positively? ›Snake and rose tattoos are also a symbol of power and strength, which is something that many people aspire to.
What are the different snake meanings? ›Ever since Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden, snakes in Christian tradition have been associated with lies, evil and temptation. But in other cultures, as far-flung as ancient Greece and Egypt and indigenous North America, snakes symbolize fertility, rebirth, renewal and even immortality.
What do snakes usually symbolize? ›Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing. The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life.
What snake symbolizes healing? ›During the Middle Ages the caduceus became a symbol of the healing sciences (pharmacy and alchemy in particular), and today, although mythologically incorrect, it is in common usage in the health care field.
What does a snake tattoo say about you? ›A characteristic of snakes is that they shed, allowing it to heal and appear new. This lends itself to becoming a symbol of rebirth and transformation. The idea of a snake shedding its old layer of skin resonates with many people who are looking to represent the concept of turning over a new leaf and rebirth.
What does a snake tattoo mean on a woman? ›It represents death and reincarnation. Snakes shed their skin and thus become a symbol of rebirth. In terms of meaning, the two elements are complementary.
What tattoo is for anxiety? ›"Spiritual tattoos — mandala, hamsa, chakra, tree of life, Budha, lotus, etc. — are common for battling anxiety. They symbolize the overcoming of struggle, protection, self care, rebirth, the circle of life, kindness, strength, new challenges, and new beginnings."
What does the tattoo with 3 dots mean? ›The three dots tattoo represents “Mi Vida Loca,” which translates to “my crazy life.” It often means the struggles of the underprivileged and the minorities. It's a way of saying, “my life is crazy, but I'm thankful for it,” or “life may be crazy, but I'm still here.”
What tattoos do you regret? ›
The first survey we mentioned also asked respondents about the most regrettable spots for a tattoo on the body. Those include the upper back, upper arms, hips, face, and buttocks.
What is the double snake symbol? ›The caduceus, a staff with two snakes coiled around it, is the official insignia of the United States Medical Corps, Navy Pharmacy Division, and the Public Health Service. The caduceus is also the magic wand carried by Hermes (the Romans knew him as Mercury), the messenger of the gods.
What does a snake wrapped around a flower mean? ›The Snake and Rose Meaning
A Snake wrapped around a rose is blinding passion, temptation that lead to corruption. The Serpent is an ambivalent symbol, it is not only evil, so a snake coiled around a rose doesn't have only a negative meaning but it means eternal life, embracing the passion for a craft.
Snake and heart tattoo. Symbol of love, envy, evil.
What does the Bible say about snakes? ›In Christianity, a connection between the Serpent and Satan is created, and Genesis 3:14-15 where God curses the serpent, is seen in that light: "And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and ...
What are the 3 types of snakes? ›Types of snakes include: constrictors such as pythons and boas; venomous snakes such as vipers and elapids; and non-venomous predators such as colubrids.
Why is snake a symbol of God? ›The familiar mythology of the ancient Near East manifests the primeval struggle between the powers of good and evil, both of which are often represented by snakes. As a bringer of salvation and giver of everlasting life the snake became a divine reptile.
Who is the god of snakes? ›Quetzalcóatl, Mayan name Kukulcán, (from Nahuatl quetzalli, “tail feather of the quetzal bird [Pharomachrus mocinno],” and coatl, “snake”), the Feathered Serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient Mexican pantheon.
What is the three snakes symbol? ›As a symbolic object, it represents Hermes (or the Roman Mercury), and by extension trades, occupations, or undertakings associated with the god. In later Antiquity, the caduceus provided the basis for the astrological symbol representing the planet Mercury.
What are some short snake sayings? ›"Snake's poison is life to the snake; it is in relation to man that it means death." "The snake stood up for evil in the Garden." "There's a snake lurking in the grass." "Every great story seems to begin with a snake."
What is the sacred snake? ›
They've represented fertility and been acknowledged as a creative life force, and also the shedding of their skin has been a symbol for rebirth, transformation, immortality and healing. The sacred snake has also been the potent guardian of temples and sacred places.
What does ⚕ mean? ›⚕️ Medical Symbol
Associated with medicine and health care services such as doctors or hospitals. A similar and related symbol called the Caduceus is frequently used in the United States. Medical Symbol was approved as part of Unicode 4.1 in 2005 under the name “Staff of Aesculapius” and added to Emoji 4.0 in 2016.
Caduceus is a symbol with a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings while the Rod of Asclepius is the one with a single snake.
What compliments a snake tattoo? ›Roses are a very traditional and universally popular tattoo design because of their association with love; when combined with a snake, the meaning changes to one of romantic temptation and overwhelming passion. A Gothic or traditional art style would pair well with the snake-and-rose design.
What does snake with moon tattoo mean? ›As far as the meaning of this tattoo, the moon tattoo itself symbolizes mystery because it is up in the sky and changes every day into a new shape. Since the snake also symbolizes mysteriousness, this tattoo means that there are many unknowns in life and one of them is sinister like a serpent.
What does a circle snake tattoo mean? ›The ouroboros symbol represents birth, death and renewal - the infinite cycle of Life. It can be interpreted as Life enveloping itself; where the past (tail) appears to disappear, but it is actually moving inwardly/outwardly to a new reality - vanishing from sight but still existing.
Is there a tattoo for depression? ›Depression tattoos can be a way to express yourself, a way to give yourself a visual reminder of the need to stay strong, and also a symbol to those around you of your beliefs and the difficulties that you are facing. If you've considered getting a depression tattoo, you might have wondered what type to get.
What tattoo represents mental health? ›Semicolons. Many people choose to represent their mental health journeys with a semicolon tattoo; the semicolon serves as a symbol of mental health awareness as well as suicide prevention.
What is the symbol for mental illness? ›The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health. It can also be worn in memory of a loved one.
What does a 2% tattoo mean? ›Those who bear this tattoo, wear it with pride because it points to the victory in that persons life. Most who bear the the mark of the 2% have survived a battle that many will not. The 2% is representative of the mere 2% of people who are statistically shown to have success in drug and alcohol treatment.
What does the 3 semicolon tattoo mean? ›
In 2015, these semicolon tattoos went viral. It was part of a broadly defined movement to raise awareness of mental health and suicide. “A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to,” Project Semicolon's website declared. “The author is you, and the sentence is your life.”
What should you not say to a tattoo artist? ›- I Let My Dog Sleep In My Bed With Me. ...
- How Much For A Sleeve? ...
- Can You Draw Something, And If I Like It, I Book An Appointment? ...
- I Am Just 17, But My Parents Approve. ...
- Can You Hurry Up, Please? ...
- I Had A Few Beers To Man Up.
The endorphins your body releases during tattooing can make you feel good and cause a euphoric feeling. This feeling may linger for a little while, and it's not unusual to want to experience it again.
Do tattoos look good as you age? ›Lines may blur and script may become less clear, but generally speaking the ink will still look good. Staying healthy, too, is great in it of itself and in caring for your tattoo.
What does 2 snakes intertwined mean? ›The symbol of two intertwined snakes appeared early in Babylonia and is related to other serpent symbols of fertility, wisdom, and healing, and of sun gods. This staff of Hermes was carried by Greek heralds and ambassadors and became a Roman symbol for truce, neutrality, and noncombatant status.
What is the symbol for change in life? ›All over the world, in both myth and art, the butterfly is seen as a symbol of transformation and change, thanks to its metamorphosis from a wormy caterpillar to a stunning insect with vividly colored wings.
Does snake mean betrayal? ›In the Christian tradition, Satan (in the guise of the serpent) instigated the fall by tricking Eve into breaking God's command. Thus the serpent can represent temptation, the devil, and deceit. The snake is phallic, but also can be seen as androgynous.
What does snake and cherry blossom tattoo mean? ›Tattoo design portraying a snake wrapped around cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms symbolize renewal while the snake symbolizes rebirth, transformation, and healing. All in all, this design embodies the process of letting go of the past and becoming who you truly are.
What does the snake butterfly tattoo mean? ›The symbol of the snake devouring its own tail represents cyclicality, unity, or infinity, and it can often be found on classical graves. In the romantic period, the butterfly was a sign of the hope of resurrection (larva, pupa, butterfly), it also represented the soul freed from all material.
What does a dragon snake tattoo mean? ›Dragon and Snake Tattoo Meaning
It is also seen as a symbol of evil and misfortune in some cultures. Most tattoos depict dragons and snakes as deadly enemies. Snakes are associated with healing (which is why they are the symbol of medicine ⚕️).
What does the infinity snake tattoo mean? ›
In speech and writing, the ouroboros is often called “the self-eating snake,” used as learned term or metaphor for infinity, cyclicality, or some other kinds of loop phenomena, often self-destructive in nature. The ouroboros is also a popular tattoo and internet icon as personal symbol for rebirth.
What does snake with rose tattoo mean? ›What's the meaning of a rose and snake tattoo? People see it as a symbol for love or passion that becomes so strong that it turns to temptation and the loss of innocence. The snake is fierce and determined, the rose is beautiful and elegant - together they are practically unstoppable!
What does a 3 headed snake tattoo mean? ›The three-headed serpent is a powerful symbol that dates back centuries, representing both sin and deceit (in the Bible), as well as intimidation and power (in ancient Greece).
What does a traditional Japanese snake tattoo mean? ›Japanese Snake Tattoo:
Tattoo Meaning: protection, wisdom, good luck, strength, and change. In traditional Japanese tattoos, the snake holds a wide range of meanings and performs a number of important functions. Among its many attributes are protection from illness, disaster, and bad fortune.
A tattoo is intended to be on you forever so it's no wonder pioneer artists used symbolism as the basis of their designs. By getting a traditional tattoo you are not only honouring the history of the art form, but you are also getting a piece with strong symbolic value.
What do snakes symbolize in Native American culture and why? ›In the ancient religions of Mexico and Central America, Indian snakes were associated with divinity, rebirth, and spiritual power, and were often looked upon with both fear and awe.
What does a Chinese snake tattoo mean? ›The snake symbolizes mysteriousness because snakes can slither around and pop up in unexpected places. This tattoo's meaning is that you are someone who no one can quite figure out and that you like your privacy. Also, Chinese snake tattoos can mean luck, the search for pure happiness in life, a long life, and fortune.
What tattoos are spiritual? ›- The Lotus Flower. The first spiritual tattoo symbol on our list is the lotus flower. ...
- The Tree of Life. Another popular spiritual tattoo symbol is the tree of life. ...
- The Popular Ying Yang. ...
- The Famous OM Symbol. ...
- The Ankh. ...
- The Hamsa. ...
- The Dove. ...
- The Beautiful Lotus Mandala.
The researchers in this study concluded that not only do those with tattoos have higher levels of need for uniqueness, sensation seeking, and thrill and adventure seeking, but they have lower levels of self-esteem, attend religious services less, and are generally much less educated than individuals who did not have ...