The Snake (巳) is the sixth animal of the twelve zodiac animals, cycling five times in the order of "Wood Snake (乙巳)," "Earth Snake (己巳)," "Water Snake (癸巳)," "Fire Snake (丁巳)," and "Metal Snake (辛巳)." Snake Hours are from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock. The Snake guards the direction south-southeast. Snake Month corresponds to April. In modern days, reptiles are often treated as the subject of fear and regarded as an abomination; in folklores, however, it has long been revered as a godly creature, and many customs had been transmitted from early on. The snake is a hibernating animal. This cold-blooded animal lives very close to earth, and many species carry poison so it is feared. There is a certain systematic idea in superstitions that a snake grows to become a large serpent; when the serpent grows even bigger, it becomes a hornless dragon called "Imugi." If the Imugi earns the magic jewel Cintamani (如意珠) or gets a certain opportunity, then its status can be elevated to the dragon. The snake category includes the Imugi, serpent, and snake.

If you hear the word snake, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The long and creepy body twirls. The smooth, soundless motion leaves your feet cold. Its slippery skin might even feel wet. The long and poisonous fork-shaped tongue waves in mid-air. Then there is the chilling gaze about to devour a man alive. It was the snake that caused Adam and Even to be banished from the Garden of Eden. In Genesis, the snake is portrayed as a deceptive creature. A snake is rarely welcomed. Still, behind this aversion lie curiosity and interest. Because it hibernates, the snake vanishes; when it reemerges, it sheds its skin and grows. This made people in ancient times believe that the animal represented immortality, regeneration, and eternal life, and that it was the Earth God (地神) and a creature that guarded tombs to promote regeneration and eternal life of the dead. Breeding many eggs at a time, the Snake was also revered as the god of fertility, abundance, fortune, and happiness in a family. The Snake went through a cultural transformation, becoming the embodiment of birth, power of healing, wisdom and prophecy, undying vitality, and unrequited love. Such is due to cultural misunderstanding when symbolizing the snake in different cultural contexts.

The Snake is the god of healing. In Greek mythology, Asclepius, the son of the divine Apollo, was associated with healing, or the god of medicine. The staff he carried was entwined with a snake. The snake was part of the cult, and its shedding of skin and renewal were emphasized as symbolic of rejuvenation. The American Expert Field Medical Badge bears a cross entwined with two snakes, whereas a snake, representing the deity of healing, or the god of medicine, has been used as a symbol of the World Health Organization as well as pharmacies. Snakes are also used as medicine in Oriental medicine. Species like mamushi, Elaphe schrenckii, Gloydius saxatilis, and other poisonous snakes are used for oral intake. Snakes are known to have the effects of improving virility, lowering the blood pressure of patients with high blood pressure, and improving symptoms caused by overall weakness in the body. The snake's shed skin was an important ingredient in medicine. According to "the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty," the "Jiriji (the Geography Section)" of "the Annals of King Sejong," and Book Four of "Sallimgyeongje (Farm Management)," a snake's shed skin was used as a medicinal ingredient that can cure the sudden protrusion of the eyeball (睛脹), remove flies and maggots in all wounds, and treat convulsion (驚風) as well as when the placenta (胞衣) is not discharged.