Snake Arts

Origin of Snake Arts
Snake arts trace their roots to ancient witchcraft. Given the formidable nature of snakes, ancient ancestors revered them as divine beings and offered worship through rituals. In The Classic of Mountains and Seas, numerous deities are depicted as having "human heads with snake bodies," and the dragon, an emblem of the Chinese nation, also evolved from snakes. While holding snakes in awe, the ancestors were also eager to find ways to control them. As recorded by Ge Hong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in Baopuzi: Inner Chapters·Dengshe: "When the Yellow Emperor was about to ascend [the mountain], Guangchengzi taught him to wear realgar, and all snakes fled." This indicates that the ancestors had developed the method of using realgar to subdue snakes from an early time. Witches and sorcerers combined these snake-control methods with witchcraft, which was later adopted by Taoism, thus forming the Taoist snake arts.

As snake arts developed over time, they were reformed and refined by the Quanzhen School, taking on their basic form. Wang Chongyang was also honored as the founder of snake arts—the Patriarch Zhenwu—and his legacy spread widely among the people.

Inheritance of Snake Arts
Similar to the inheritance of other magical arts, the passing down of snake arts involves a set of complex rituals, and traditionally adheres to the rules of "passing only to males, not females" and "passing only to insiders, not outsiders." If there are no descendants, snake arts will be lost.

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Becoming an apprentice is the first step in learning snake arts. Before 拜师，one must bathe, purify oneself, change clothes, set up an incense table with offerings, and respectfully invite the spiritual tablets of all previous patriarchs. The master first prays to the past patriarchs, burns incense, kowtows, and announces the opening of the altar to accept disciples. Then the apprentice kowtows and offers incense to the past patriarchs, performs the three kneels and nine prostrations to the master, and presents tea. Only after the ceremony is completed does the apprentice formally enter the master's school.

Before teaching snake arts, a rooster under one year old and realgar wine need to be prepared. On the Dragon Boat Festival (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month) every year, the altar is opened to teach snake arts, following the same ritual as the apprenticeship ceremony. The rooster is killed, its blood is dripped into the realgar wine, and after the apprentice drinks this realgar-blood wine, they can formally start learning snake arts.

After formally becoming an apprentice, one must abide by the following taboos after entering the school: not eating turtles, soft-shelled turtles, eels, or snakes; not spitting randomly, and if one has to spit, not doing so in unclean places; during each practice, always visualize the scene when the master was teaching, as if the master were right beside them; not using snake arts for entertainment or improper purposes; drinking realgar wine every Dragon Boat Festival on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month; and drinking realgar-blood wine and worshipping all previous patriarchs every five years or so to ensure that one's snake arts remain effective forever.

Evaluation of Snake Arts
Taoist snake arts may seem mysterious and bizarre, making people feel they are sacred and truly like divine magic. However, if we take off the cloak of witchcraft and put aside those talismans and incantations, they are essentially effective methods for controlling snakes.

The essence of snake arts still lies in using realgar to subdue snakes, a method that has been passed down since Guangchengzi taught it to the Yellow Emperor. The practices in snake arts of drinking realgar-blood wine when starting to learn from the master and drinking realgar wine every Dragon Boat Festival are applications of this ancient snake-control method.

The disinfectant and bactericidal effect of saliva has long been proven by modern medicine. Practitioners had long been aware of the medicinal effects of saliva, but they could not provide a scientific explanation. Therefore, they regarded saliva as very precious, calling it "snow-frost water," and would not spit casually, making it a taboo. When treating snake bites, mixing saliva with medicine actually makes use of its disinfectant and efficacy-enhancing functions.

Various herbs used to treat snake bites have also been proven by modern medicine to have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing inflammation, and stopping bleeding. Chewing the herbs instead of washing and mashing them is precisely to better exert their medicinal effects, which is why the herbs used by practitioners can cure snake bites.

In snake arts, the real key to the effectiveness of the practitioner's talismans and incantations is the "medicine sword" and "hand sword" (referring to the techniques used when catching snakes). Talismans, incantations, and cumbersome rituals are just a cover to confuse people and increase a sense of mystery.

Today, Taoist snake arts still circulate among the people. We should not completely dismiss them as feudal superstition. Instead, we should conduct a correct analysis and criticism, retain the essence, discard the dross, and make them better play the role of curing diseases and saving lives.

道教蛇术

Daoist Serpent Arts

Ancient Chinese Snake Magic & Mystical Transformation

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What is Daoist Serpent Arts?

Daoist Serpent Arts (道教蛇术, Dàojiào Shéshù) represents one of the most enigmatic and profound traditions within Chinese Daoist mysticism. This ancient practice involves understanding, communicating with, and channeling the primordial wisdom and transformative power of serpents for spiritual cultivation, healing, and mystical transformation.

Core Philosophy: Serpent Arts are rooted in the ancient understanding that snakes embody the cyclical nature of existence—death and rebirth, shedding and renewal, earth wisdom and celestial knowledge. Practitioners seek to embody these serpentine qualities for spiritual evolution.

Unlike mere snake handling or superstition, Daoist Serpent Arts integrate deep philosophical principles of transformation, the kundalini-like concept of ascending spiritual energy, and the serpent as a bridge between earthly and divine realms. The practice emphasizes harmony with nature's most misunderstood creatures as teachers of profound wisdom.

Historical Origins & Evolution

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Prehistoric Origins (5000+ BCE)

Archaeological evidence suggests serpent worship and mystical practices existed in ancient China long before organized Daoism. Snake imagery appears in Neolithic pottery and jade artifacts, indicating early reverence for serpent wisdom.

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Classical Period (6th Century BCE)

Laozi and early Daoist philosophers incorporated serpent symbolism into their teachings. The Dao De Jing references the "valley spirit" and feminine principle, often associated with serpentine energy and earth wisdom.

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Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

Formalization of serpent arts within Daoist practices. The legendary Queen Mother of the West (西王母) was often depicted with serpent-like features, establishing the connection between serpents and divine feminine power.

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Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE)

Peak development of serpent arts within Daoist alchemy and internal cultivation practices. Master practitioners developed sophisticated techniques for "serpent breathing" and energy transformation.

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Modern Era (20th Century - Present)

Revival and reinterpretation of serpent arts in contemporary Daoist practice, integrating ancient wisdom with modern understanding of psychology, energy work, and holistic healing.

Core Principles & Philosophy

🔄 The Serpent as Symbol of Transformation

In Daoist philosophy, the serpent represents the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. Just as snakes shed their skin to grow, practitioners learn to shed limiting beliefs, old patterns, and spiritual obstacles to achieve higher consciousness. This process of continuous renewal is central to Daoist self-cultivation.

🌍 Earth Wisdom & Grounding Energy

Serpents, being earth-dwelling creatures, are seen as conduits of terrestrial wisdom and grounding energy. Practitioners learn to connect with the earth's vital force through serpent-inspired meditation and movement practices, balancing their spiritual aspirations with practical wisdom.

⚖️ Dual Nature Philosophy

Serpents embody the duality of existence—they can be both healing and harmful, beautiful and fearsome, earthly and mystical. This teaches practitioners to embrace paradox and find balance between opposing forces, a fundamental principle of Daoist thought.

🐉 Five Serpent Archetypes (五蛇型)

Traditional serpent arts recognize five primary serpent archetypes, each representing different aspects of spiritual development:

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Fire Serpent

Transformation and purification energy

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Water Serpent

Emotional healing and intuitive wisdom

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Wood Serpent

Growth, flexibility, and adaptation

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Metal Serpent

Precision, clarity, and spiritual cutting

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Earth Serpent

Stability, patience, and deep wisdom

Traditional Practices & Techniques

🧘♂️ Serpent Meditation (蛇禅)

Practitioners visualize a golden serpent rising through their spine, activating energy centers and promoting spiritual awakening. This practice is similar to Kundalini yoga but uniquely Daoist in its emphasis on natural flow and Wu Wei (effortless action).

The wise serpent moves without haste, yet arrives at its destination. So too must the cultivator learn to progress with patience and natural rhythm.

🤸♀️ Serpentine Movement Arts

Fluid, snake-like movements designed to cultivate flexibility, grace, and energy flow. These exercises help practitioners embody serpent qualities of adaptability and smooth power. The movements often mirror the way snakes navigate through space—economical, purposeful, and elegant.

🌿 Herbal Snake Medicine

Traditional use of snake-derived medicines and snake-associated herbs for healing. This includes understanding which plants snakes favor and how these can be used therapeutically, as well as the careful, ethical use of snake-derived substances in traditional Chinese medicine.

🔮 Divination & Oracle Work

Advanced practitioners develop the ability to interpret natural signs and omens, particularly those involving serpents. This includes understanding snake behavior as messages from the natural world and using serpent imagery in divination practices.

Breathing Techniques (蛇息) Energy Circulation Flexibility Training Shedding Rituals Nature Observation Healing Touch

Spiritual Benefits & Transformations

🔄 Personal Transformation

Learn to shed old patterns and beliefs, embracing continuous growth and renewal like the serpent's natural cycle.

🌊 Emotional Fluidity

Develop the ability to move through emotional states with grace and adaptability, avoiding rigid patterns.

🎯 Enhanced Intuition

Sharpen instinctual awareness and develop the serpent's keen sensitivity to environmental changes.

⚖️ Balance & Harmony

Master the art of finding balance between opposing forces, embracing paradox as a path to wisdom.

🌱 Healing Abilities

Develop sensitivity to energy imbalances and natural healing gifts through serpent wisdom.

🧠 Mental Flexibility

Cultivate adaptable thinking and the ability to navigate complex situations with serpentine wisdom.

Modern Applications & Contemporary Practice

Contemporary practitioners of Daoist Serpent Arts have adapted these ancient teachings for modern life, finding relevant applications in various fields:

🏥 Therapeutic Applications

Modern therapists incorporate serpent arts principles into movement therapy, trauma healing, and personal development work. The concept of "shedding" old patterns resonates strongly with contemporary psychological approaches to healing and growth.

🏢 Business & Leadership

The serpent's qualities of patience, strategic thinking, and adaptability have found applications in leadership training and business strategy. The ability to "shed old skin" translates well to organizational change management.

🎨 Arts & Creativity

Artists and creatives use serpent arts principles to overcome creative blocks, embrace transformation in their work, and develop more fluid, organic approaches to artistic expression.

Ethical Considerations: Modern practice emphasizes respect for actual serpents and their habitats. Practitioners are encouraged to support snake conservation efforts and approach these teachings with reverence for the natural world and its creatures.

Cultural Significance & Symbolism

🐉 Dragon Connection

In Chinese mythology, dragons are often considered evolved serpents that have achieved transcendence. The serpent arts thus represent a path toward dragon-like wisdom and power—transformation from earthbound creature to celestial being.

👸 Feminine Divine

Many serpent deities in Chinese mythology are feminine, representing the receptive, intuitive, and transformative aspects of spiritual development. The Queen Mother of the West and various snake goddesses embody these qualities.

🔄 Cyclical Time

The serpent's circular movement and periodic shedding represent cyclical rather than linear time, teaching practitioners to understand life as a series of spiraling cycles rather than a straight line of progress.

🎭 Popular Culture

Modern Chinese literature, films, and art continue to draw upon serpent symbolism, often portraying snake spirits as complex characters representing both danger and wisdom, reflecting the traditional dual nature of serpent energy.

⚠️ Safety, Ethics & Responsible Practice

Important Guidelines:

Never handle venomous snakes without proper training and safety equipment
Respect wildlife - observe snakes in nature without disturbing them
Seek qualified instruction for advanced practices and meditation techniques
Honor cultural origins - approach these practices with respect for their Chinese heritage
Practice non-harm - these arts emphasize harmony, not domination over nature

Authentic Daoist Serpent Arts emphasize observation, respect, and spiritual development rather than physical interaction with dangerous animals. The true practice lies in embodying serpent qualities of wisdom, transformation, and adaptability in daily life.

Embracing Serpentine Wisdom

Daoist Serpent Arts offer a unique path to personal transformation and spiritual growth through understanding one of nature's most mysterious creatures. These ancient practices teach us to embrace change, cultivate flexibility, and find wisdom in apparent contradictions.

"Like the serpent that sheds its skin to grow, we too must release what no longer serves us to become who we are meant to be."