7. The Serpent Was A Universal Fertility Symbol
The serpent has been a symbol of fertility for thousands of years, venerated as a fertility symbol in many cultures. One prime example is the Hopi people of North America. Each year, a snake dance is performed to renew fertility of Nature, while celebrating the union of Snake Youth (a Sky spirit) and Snake Girl (an Underworld spirit). During this dance, live snakes were handled. The snakes were released into the fields at the end of the dance to guarantee a bountiful harvest.