Perception of Snakes by Ancient Koreans through Iconography and Records

Key Points

• This research aims to analyze ancient Korean perceptions of snakes as depicted in iconography and literary records.
• Examined snake iconography, detailing appearances and combinations with other entities.
• Reviewed types of articles related to snakes to identify five categories of symbolism.
• Compared snake perceptions during the Three Kingdoms period and further analyzed their historical implications.
• Snakes were perceived as symbols of fertility, protectors of kings, and harbingers of misfortune.
• In the Unified Silla period, snake symbolism diversified and integrated with Buddhism for current-day benefit beliefs.

Abstract