Therefore, even a lover of a myth is in a sense a philosopher; for myth is composed of wonders. Aristotle

Dona Rosenberg in her book 'Folklore, Myths and Legends: A World Perceptive' defined myth as:

'A myth is a sacred story from the past. It may explain the origin of the universe and of life, or it may express its culture's moral values in human terms. Myths concern the powers who control the human world and the relationship between those powers and human beings. Although myths are religious in their origin and function, they may also be the earliest form of history, science, or philosophy.'

Myths are merely stories about gods and all things supernatural and are generally supported by religions and cultures. They can also be regarded as people's perceptions about other creatures due to the fact that their mysterious nature means that people have very little knowledge about them. Many animals signify fertility and vitality and are a connection to the realm of spirits and the gods. Specific animals have specific associations depending on their characteristics.  Many birds, fish, reptiles and mammals all tend to be used as symbols.

Serpents or snakes are also mystical creatures and this abstruseness of their nature accounts for their prominence in various cultures and religions. They are considered to be emblems of spirituality and divinity. Infact, serpent mythology is perhaps the most popular mythology. People's perceptions about snakes depend on the region, culture, and religion. Ancient people regarded snakes as powerful entities, sometimes as gods or symbols of contempt and fear. These creatures have either been the center of worship, or have instigated hate and fear in the minds of people throughout the world. These beliefs and man made fallacies have meant that we are losing some of the most precious species of snakes. Below we have discussed some of the myths or folklore prevalent in different civilizations and religions.

Indian Subcontinent Myths

• In the Hindu culture, one of the oldest cultures after China, Nagas or serpents are regarded as sacred and are worshipped. It is believed that Sheesh Nag (King Cobra) is the god of all other serpents and supports the world on its hood. They are considered as a symbol of power and fertility. The cobra is also considered to be the emblem of the divinity Shiva.

• According to Hindu Mythology, cobras always live in pairs. If one of them is killed, the image of the killer appears in the eye of the dead cobra. Its mate, with the help of that image, takes revenge.

• There is also a belief that after the snake has lived for a 100 years, it attains the ability to change its form to any other creature, so much so that it can transform itself into a human being. When it is able to do so, it is able to adopt many powers of the snake.

• In the subcontinent, tribes known as Jogis or Bagris, catch and sell snakes. They believe that all snakes are ruled and directed by one person known as Goga Pir and according to them they are safe from the snake bite by the grace of this Pir.

Egyptian Myths

• The ancient Egyptians regarded snakes as holy and glorious creatures. This is the reason that they have prominently depicted images of cobras in their castles and buildings and also why snakes were considered holy emblems of the pharaohs.

• Buto was a cobra goddess and it was believed that she protected the Pharaoh either by spitting poison into his enemies' eyes or by burning them with her look.

Greek Myths

• Hydra, a nine-headed water snake had an enormous body and was believed to be very poisonous and dangerous. One of Hercules' twelve tasks was to kill the hydra, which he tried to do by cutting off its head but a new head sprouted out every time he did that; finally he destroyed the snake by cauterizing the base of its heads.

• The Chimera, a Greek fire breathing monster had three heads, one being a lion's, the other a goat's and the thrid a snake's.

• The Greek goddess Demeter chased the kidnapper of her daughter in a chariot drawn by a winged snake.

• According to the Greeks, the God of medicine, Aesculapius discovered medicine by watching as one snake used herbs to bring another snake back to life. He had a rod with a sacred serpent coiled around it, because he considered snakes symbols of youth and took inspiration from them. Our modern medicine symbol is an adoption of this myth.

• Apollo the god of beauty, love and youth killed several snakes. According to a myth, he had killed the world largest Python with his golden quiver and silver bow.

• The Gorgons were believed to be three sisters with snake entwined hair. According to the myth any one who looked directly at Medusa one of the sisters would be turned into stone.

• Melampus because of his love for and care animals was once licked by snakes on his ears and since then he could understand the language of animals.

• In Mongolia, it is still believed that snake spirits may inhabit a house and must be satisfied with sacrifices.

• Norse dragons, which have great similarities with giant snakes, were believed to be able to transform themselves into humans.

• In Combodia, a family called Cammer has great regard and faith in Nag god. According to them, the Nag father had gifted the island of Cambodia to his son at his wedding.

• In South Africa, to remain safe from snakebites, Lar is tied to the leg. Lar is an assemble of an egg shaped piece of wood and a bunch of hairs in a piece of cloth. A similar kind of assemble is used by the jogis of the subcontinent, which is locally known as Geedar Singhi .

• Some African tribes, worship the rock Python and consider its killing a serious crime

• The native Australians worship a rainbow snake named Kurrichalpongo and believe that it is the creator of the world.

• Quetzalcoatl, the feathered Snake was one of the strongest gods of Aztec. It is believed that he had snakes in his hairs and is a symbol of the totality of heaven and earth. It is also believed that Quetzalcoatl is the source of all divine powers and thus all evil and good things in the world are because of him.

• The Romans refer to snake as an emblem of immortality. The Roman goddess is commonly portrayed with a large serpent in her hand.

• According to Celtic mythology, serpents are the symbol of trouble and their appearance causes strife and infertility.

• The Bible frequently refers to snakes as the devil or Satan. It is said that, it was a snake that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge and is responsible for their expulsion from Paradise. According to another Catholic tradition, Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland.

• In Japan, people think of snakes negatively and consider them malicious and dirty creatures. It is believed that they can transform themselves into dragons.

• In the Chinese mythology, snakes are believed to be the ancestors of dragons and are considered very beneficial and benevolent.

• A group of Christian fundamentalists believe that even the deadliest poisonous snakes could not be harmful by the grace of their god and thus handle them freely. However, this practice is very risky as a number of people belonging to this group were bitten and killed by these snakes.