After discovering an ancient papal coat of arms featuring a winged serpent, I was inspired to create an artwork that captures and replicates its striking symbolism.
Across various cultures and mythologies, the winged serpent and the sun have long been potent symbols of power, transformation, and cosmic influence. These two archetypal images, often depicted together or interconnected, represent both the earthly and celestial realms, blending forces of nature and spirituality into a unified symbol of cosmic balance.
The winged serpent is a creature of paradox—rooted in the earth yet capable of soaring through the skies. Serpents, long associated with the underworld, transformation, and hidden knowledge, represent the primal forces of life. When given wings, the serpent transcends its earthly bounds, merging the powers of the earth with those of the heavens.
In Christianity, the winged serpent has darker connotations, often linked with the biblical serpent in the Garden of Eden, representing temptation and humanity’s fall. However, even here, the serpent possesses transformative power, offering knowledge (albeit forbidden) that shifts the course of history. The combination of wings adds an element of ascension, suggesting that this creature is not just of the earth but also deeply tied to celestial and cosmic forces.
In alchemical traditions, the winged serpent represents the ascent of the soul or spirit, seeking enlightenment or unity with the divine, symbolized by the sun. This spiritual journey signifies the liberation of the soul from its earthly confines, striving toward the sun—the ultimate source of life, energy, and transformation.The sun, in this context, is not only the source of physical life but also symbolizes the illumination of higher truth and divine consciousness. It is associated with Lucifer, whom Gnostics and Freemasons regard as the true God, while viewing Christ as the deceiver.
Today, the winged serpent and the sun remain powerful symbols in esoteric teachings and occult traditions. The serpent’s connection to hidden knowledge and secret powers, combined with the sun’s role as the illuminator of truth and life, reflects the balance of dark and light, the seen and unseen forces governing the universe.
In secret societies and spiritual traditions, the winged serpent is often viewed as a guardian of forbidden knowledge, forbidden knowledge given to man by Satan and one that grants power and wisdom to those who understand its dual nature—earthly and divine, material and spiritual.
Coat of Arms Pope Gregory VIII with winged serpent
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