Snake symbolism in popular cinema

Hero Indiana Jones faces his only fear: snakes.

Movies featuring snakes often cleverly incorporate their characteristics and use profound metaphors to talk about human fragility, the brutality of nature, and the unknown...

Overcome your secret fear

The classic movie character Indiana Jones is the epitome of a strong adventure hero. Combining wit and action, he is a professor of archaeology and a daring treasure hunter. However, despite his bravery, he is still a human being with a very common fear when facing snakes. This is also his only fear.

This fear is strongly expressed in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) through the scene of a pit full of venomous snakes - which Indiana Jones must face. Surrounded by a sea of ​​wriggling snakes, the scene not only creates extreme tension but also implies that even the most heroic characters have weaknesses. This is what makes Jones more approachable and humane. The way director Steven Spielberg leads the audience to fully feel Indy's suffocation and fear, elevating this scene to a memorable milestone in cinema history.

In ancient Egyptian culture, snakes symbolized power and protection. In the Christian tradition, snakes are associated with temptation and sin. The snakes guarding the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark exploit this duality to the fullest.

The multilayered symbolism makes the scene poignant, engaging with universal human fears. The snake pit scene has left a strong cultural imprint, emphasizing a familiar theme: the triumph of man over primal fear. Indiana Jones’ escape from the snake pit reflects the universal human struggle to face and overcome our deepest fears.

In contrast, in David R. Ellis’s Snakes on a Plane (2006), the snake becomes a symbol of chaos and terror, exploited by humans to cause destruction. The unpredictability of these venomous reptiles adds to the tension, turning the plane into a microcosm of survival against uncontrollable forces.

Although the film leans towards absurdity, in a broader sense, Snakes on a Plane can be seen as a metaphor for the issue of terrorism on airplanes as the film was produced in the post-9/11 era. This is even more evident as the snakes in the film are said to originate from the Middle East.

Overcoming prejudice

When mentioning horror films familiar to Vietnamese people in the early 2000s, we cannot fail to mention Anaconda (Giant Python, 1997) by director Luis Llosa.

The cunning and scheming snake Kaa in the animated film The Jungle Book.

The film turns the giant anaconda into a symbol of the raw and terrifying power of nature. The documentary team's arrogance in trying to capture the monster reflects humanity's historical tendency to exploit and dominate nature.

The giant python is both a predator and a symbol of the dangers that come from greed and hubris. Its relentless pursuit illustrates the consequences of humans not respecting the boundaries of the natural world, making it a metaphor for ecological imbalance.

The python Kaa in the animated version of The Jungle Book (1967) is a symbol of deception and manipulation. His hypnotic eyes and gentle voice hide his desire to eat the main character Mowgli, demonstrating the dangers of misplaced trust.

For Mowgli, Kaa is a cautionary figure, teaching him to be vigilant in a world full of potential threats. In the original novel, however, Kaa is portrayed as Mowgli's ally and mentor rather than an antagonist.

Contrary to her evil image, Viper from the Kung Fu Panda series breaks the common stereotypes about snakes. Instead of representing danger, she symbolizes grace, adaptability, and inner strength.

Viper challenges preconceived negative perceptions of snakes and celebrates them as symbols of elegance and harmony. Her presence in the Furious Five reinforces the series’ themes of diversity and self-acceptance, demonstrating that strength lies not in conforming to stereotypes but in embracing one’s own unique qualities.

Across these world-famous films, snakes have become diverse symbols: guardians, temptresses, predators, and catalysts of transformation. They evoke fear, force self-reflection, and often challenge characters to confront their deepest vulnerabilities.

Whether crawling through deep pits, attacking from the shadows, or embodying abstract ideas, snakes remind us of the delicate balance between human ambition and weakness.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/bieu-tuong-loai-ran-trong-dien-anh-dai-chung-3148362.html