Egypt: Snakes

The ancient Egyptians worshipped snakes, as did the Minoans, early inhabitants of Crete. Some ancient Israelites offered sacrifices to a copper serpent. Others from the same nation took up burning incense before the images of the "creeping things."

Worship of snake-gods also engrossed the peoples of ancient Mexico. The Aztecs also viewed it as the god of learning and even revered it as the creator of humans.

For many centuries the inhabitants of Mesoamerica worshipped the feathered serpent. On certain fiesta days, dances are performed in which the participants adorn themselves with feathers and simulate the movements of a snake.