Snake, a Representative of Man between Imagination and Reality

The twelve zodiac animals are beings which share the fate with human from birth to death. Among the animals, the sixth zodiac animal, the snake is a symbol of immortality and regeneration. It is also the guardian deity of southeast. However, in reality, snakes are regarded as dangerous and disgusting animals. People avoid snakes but also believe them as strange and magical creatures which transform into dragons in a hundred years. People also create numerous stories about snakes and the snake in stories has multiple faces standing in for man. This exhibition examines many faced snakes in preparation for 2013, the Year of the Snake. The exhibition consists of 4 parts.

Part 1: Snake of the Twelve Zodiac Animals,
Part 2: Snake in Imagination,
Part 3: Snake in Reality,
Part 4: Snake Worship, a Link between Imagination and Reality

Through this exhibition, what kind of relation the snake, one of the twelve zodiac animals, has with man in our history and folklore can be observed.

[Part 1] Snake of the Twelve Zodiac Animals Another Name for Immortality, Regeneration and Abundance
As the sixth animal of the zodiac, the snake appears in the order of the 42nd, 6th, 30th, 54th and 18th in the sexagenary cycle. It is the guardian deity of the time from 9 to 11 in the morning, southeast and the fourth month of the lunar calendar. People believe the snake as a symbol of immortality, regeneration and eternal life since it sheds its skin to be reborn and disappears for a period due to hibernation. Also, snakes appear in a dream is believed as a sign for pregnancy or abundance in expectancy.

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Snake Painting of the 12 Zodiac Animals	Dangsaju	Snake Mask of the 12 Zodiac Animals

[Part 2] Snake in Imagination - Mythical Creature with 100 Faces
In comparison to other zodiac animals, the snake appears more prominently in the imaginary world. In Korean fables, the snake is a representative for showing many faces of man's inner side. Many elements from deep inner side of man appear through the snake's mouth and body. In fables, the snake is portrayed as a good being returning a favor, incarnation of vengeance or avaricious evil. A python, an aged serpent wishing to ascend to heaven as a dragon, is a symbol of patience for enduring and constantly trying. Also, in the afterlife, the snake appears as the absolute being to punish the wicked and the wicked sometimes are reborn as a snake.

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Mythical Python Doll	Painting of the Afterlife at Sea	Painting of 10 Kings of the Afterlife

[Part 3] Snake in Reality - Disgusting Creature to be Avoided
In real life, the snake is the most despised animal of the twelve zodiac. Its hissing forked tongue, scales covered body and slithering movement are enough to give people repulsion. Also, the poisonous venom of a snake makes people to find a way to avoid snakes. In reality, snakes are always dangerous and disgusting creatures to be avoided. But on the other hand, snakes are regarded to have pharmaceutical effect of giving energy to feeble body. People catch snakes to make money and wish to become healthy by eating them.

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Writing of "Mountain's Light and Water's Color"	Painting of Flower and Bird	Tongs for Snake Hunting

[Part 4] Snake Worship, a Link between Imagination and Reality
People sometimes worshiped the snake of an imaginary world as a deity to grant a wish in the real world. Snakes are creatures to be avoided in real life but in an imaginary life, snakes are mythical creatures with special powers. People believed a snake as the protective deity of wealth and health of a household and especially in Jejudo, snake worship was more prominent than other provinces. According to records, snakes were already worshipped as deities from the mid Joseon period. In another record, the mysterious blue snake is described to appear to a devoted son in Samcheok, Gangwon-do province to heal the elderly parent's illness as if it might happen in an imaginary world.

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God of Snake at Jeju Island	Straw Bundle of Household Guardian Deity of Property	Petition

What is the Face of a Snake You Look for?
So far, various ideas about snakes that people have are shown through numerous objects and stories. A snake is not a favorable animal to people compare to other animals but people are highly interested in snakes. Like the double sidedness of people who are afraid of snakes but would not mind eating them, snakes are perceived as negative creatures as well as magical divine beings. Also, a snake is a representative of man for frankly speaking regardless of its good or bad content. What is the face of a snake you look for in this exhibition? The snake we found is a representative of man and a congenial friend.