Snakes hold a significant place in the mythologies of various cultures, often embodying dualities like life and death, creation and destruction. Throughout global mythology, snakes symbolize regeneration due to their shedding of skin, as well as the mysteries of the underworld and the cycle of life. They are sometimes linked to magic or mysterious knowledge, particularly in stories where snakes offer wisdom or are associated with hidden treasures. For instance, it was believed that if a snake could be caught and its tongue cut out, the person who possesses the tongue would be able to understand the language of birds and animals. In some Scandinavian and European folklore, there are references to "snake stones" or "adder stones," which were believed to have healing powers. These were thought to be created by snakes and could be used as talismans or magical objects to cure snake bites or other ailments.
 In ancient Egyptian mythology, the serpent Apophis was the chaos god, forever battling the sun god Ra, symbolizing the constant struggle between order and chaos. Conversely, in Hindu tradition, the snake (Naga) is associated with protection and fertility, with the cosmic serpent Shesha holding the universe on its coils. The Greek myth of the Gorgon Medusa also illustrates the snake’s ambivalence, representing both danger and transformation, as her snake-covered head could petrify those who looked upon her. Snakes are also prominent in Mesoamerican myth, where Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, embodies wisdom and creation. 
 In Scandinavian folklore, snakes often symbolize both danger and wisdom. One of the most famous mythological snakes in Norse mythology is Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent. This massive sea serpent is one of Loki’s children and plays a crucial role in the myth of Ragnarök (the end of the world). Jörmungandr was cast into the ocean by Odin, where it grew so large it encircled the entire world, grasping its own tail (a symbol reminiscent of the ouroboros). During Ragnarök, it is destined to fight Thor, and while Thor will slay the serpent, he will die shortly afterward from its venom. Níðhöggr is also a large serpent (or dragon) that gnaws at the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasil. It lives in Náströnd, a section of Hel in Norse mythology, where it torments the dead. Níðhöggr's role as a destroyer of the world tree aligns with its association with chaos and the destructive forces in the universe.
Acrylic yarn 
PolyFiber fill
Plastic googly eyes
1 -1.25 hours
Patterns available soon.