Snake March

I.School holiday lesson distraction: Think Green, Leprechaun’s, Ireland, Lucky charms and shamrocks. This is not the place for drinking, stereo types; nor talks of cartoonish superficial sometimes insulting- patronizing of the holiday, clearly guided by profiteers. Still,

It’s St. Patrick’s Day!

When St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland! Except… Ireland had no snakes. And since Alice in Wonderland had no snakes. (Theme o’ the month of March!) Nope, no snakes in the book nor Disney’s depiction of Alice. Uh oh, Rabbit Hole… Rabbits, but no snakes.

Now that I thin about it, Disney has only one or two iconic snakes. Kaa, from the Jungle Book interpreted as, “a symbol of cold-blooded power, both physically and psychologically.” And, in Aladdin, Jafar’s Staff (Snakes name), transforms into a cobra during his fight with Aladdin. “The cobra has blood-red eyes, a yellow underbelly, and a black back. It also has a hood with a dark-red underside and two red dots on each side.” Translation. Snakes not good.  But back to St. Patricks Day!

History Chanel 9 Surprising Facts about St. Patrick’s Day.

Snakes have been used as symbols across cultures for thousands of years, representing both good and evil, rebirth, healing, and transformation. 

Meaning

  • Good and evil

    Snakes have represented the duality of good and evil, depending on the culture and time period. 

  • Rebirth and transformation

    Because snakes shed their skin, they are seen as symbols of rebirth, transformation, and immortality. 

  • Healing and fertility

    In ancient Greece, Egypt, and indigenous North America, snakes symbolized fertility, rebirth, renewal, and even immortality. 

  • Protection

    Snakes can also represent themes of protection. 

  • Examples in mythology

    • In Chinese mythology, Yanwei is a snake deity with a human head and a snake's body. 

    • In Asian mythology, the Naga is sometimes portrayed as a snake or dragon. In Buddhism, nagas are sometimes seen as guardians of the Dharma. 

    • In Christian tradition, snakes have been associated with lies, evil, and temptation. 

    Historical significance

    Snakes are one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols.They have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to humankind. AI

Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, a snake steals the plant of immortality from Gilgamesh, symbolizing a loss of immortality and the inevitability of death, as he is bathing. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • The Snake's Role:

    The snake acts as a "trickster figure," a symbol of deception and loss, mirroring similar symbolic roles in other narratives like the Garden of Eden story in the Bible. 

  • Gilgamesh's Quest:

    Gilgamesh, after journeying to the far reaches of the world, finally finds a plant that will restore youth and grant him immortality. 

  • The Stealing of the Plant:

    As Gilgamesh rests near an oasis, the snake, tempted by the plant, steals it from Gilgamesh and slithers away. 

  • The Significance of the Loss:

    Gilgamesh realizes that immortality is not meant for humans, and he accepts his mortality, finding solace in the legacy he leaves behind. 

Point is: By taking time and space to re-evaluate some traditions might be of interest in I.School. For living a deeper and more meaning-full, I. Life.

Your choice.

And in the Mean Time- some jokes:

How do you measure a snake?

Answer: “In inches, they don’t have feet.”

What do you call a snake who works for the government?

Answer: A civil serpent!

What do you call a cereal box full of snakes?

Answer: “Honey bunches of Nopes.”

What do you give a sick snake?

Answer: Asp-irin!

What is a snake's favorite dance?

Answer: The mamba!

What is a snake's favorite school subject?

Answer: Hisssstory!

What is another word for a python?

Answer: A mega-bite!

What kind of snake is completely different?

Answer: A Monty Python!

When will the little snake arrive?

Answer: I don’t know, but he won't be long.

Random: U.S. patent number 3,607,309, filed November 1, 1968 for “Marbits”

Can you guess what that might be? Mar Bits. Hints:

Category, guess- Snakes or Food?

L.C. The Leprechaun.

Click here for answer. Marbits.

For a lengthy explanation - about 5 hours total, and apparently well documented History of Ireland, (Ironically produced by the BBC). I will be spending some time (1 hour) learning about-

The Story of Ireland

I.School endorses good conversations regarding Holidays. Root for the Original Source, as close as you can, with skepticism.