SNAKES |
■ Snakes are fascinating animals. In my thesis I have investigated all the properties the medieva
l Flemish famous author Jacob van Maerlant has written about them in his bestiary, called Der naturen bloeme. Maerlant tells, following his Latin source, much about snakes that modern readers will not believe at all.
Though I have been able to give an explanation for some 'medieval properties' of snakes, there still are some questions and unsolved problems. Below you will find some of these problems. If you are able to give me an answer or solution, I'll be very gratefull.
I am also very interested in pictures of snakes in a historical- cultural context, in f.e. stained glass, wall pictures, sculptures in churches and cathedrals or in special artistic objects. On this page you see some examples. If you can send me (digital) pictures, I'll be very gratefull again.
■ The terrible tyrus
Jacob van Maerlant says that the terrible, venomous tyrus - an unkown snake in modern herpetology - has been hung beside Christ. The flesh of this serpent has become very beneficial for humanity because of this. Snakes hanging on a cross are abundantly known in iconography, but I have never met a snake accompanying Christ.
Does anyone know a picture of a crucified Christ and a snake at his side as well (not at the bottom of the cross)?
Recently I have found an example of the unknown tyrus (thanks, Malou!). In Kurt Cobain's Diary (Amsterdam, 2002) the following drawing is to be seen.
■ Double fangs
Old naturalists say that a viper has three teeth. The following thought seems to be a real one: snakes change their fangs. When changing their fangs it is possible that not only the old fang is still there, but the new one too. There must be more photographs of such a change.
Is there anyone who can send me one?
■ Snake Handling Believers
In the southern states of the United States there are people who take up serpents during religious meetings. They base their cult on the Bible, Mark XVI, verse 17 and 18: And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Is there someone who can (and will) send me pictures of such a handling, or perhaps a videotape?
Click here for a column about snake handling believers.
Has someone an explanation for the catalepsy snakes turn in when they are pushed on their heads? Snake charmers in Arabia demonstrate this kind of acts as a reminder of Exodus 4: 3-4: 'And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, a rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand.'
Click here for an article about cataleptic snakes.
■ Irish earth
Old books say, that Irish earth makes it impossible for snakes to live in that country. What is more: one could kill a snake by throwing Irish earth upon it. It is a fact, that there are no snakes in Ireland (centuries ago, they have been chased from Ireland by Saint-Patrick!).
What is the (non-religious) explanation for this? Besides, is it true that there are no snakes in New-Zeeland and Hawaii too?
P.S.: an interesting anecdote is to be found in John Cann, Snakes Alive!, Philip Bay, 2001, page 20. A certain Sir Henry Brown Hayes, a convict, was transported to Australia. He became so obsessed with snakes, that he ordered 500 barrels of Irish soil to protect his land and house. A trench, six feet wide and two feet deep, was then dug around his house and was filled with Irish soil by a team of Irish convicts. Sir Henry had no further trouble with snakes.
■ Burning Christians and Marsi-performances
Emperor Nero (first age A.D.) has persecuted the first Christians. He burned believers alive as an illumination during his parties. He also let Marsi (an old tribe of snake charmers) torture these Christians. In one case, a Marsus called Audax, was bitten by his own venomous snake. This man was healed by the Christian he was about to torture with his snake.
Has anyone more information about this event?