Snake with Severed Head

Throughout time, Snakes (Hebi) have become symbols of some of humanity’s greatest hopes and fears.  In this tattoo a Hebi is positioned around a Namakubi severed head, possibly as a warning or possibly awareness of impending doom. Not all Snake myths are bad however, many Japanese shop owners have the image of a snake, coiled around a mallet hanging near the entrance, this is to bring good fortune and prosperity. In ancient Asian folklore, snakes sometimes rewarded humans with gifts of pearls.  In general, snakes often appear as guardians of shrines and treasure and their saliva was thought to create precious the jewels underground.

  The snake is linked with wisdom and prophecy. Snakes found in a home are even welcomed as good luck and the embodiment of the spirits of the ancestors as protectors, thus they are called protection snakes. They are said to have supernatural abilities, such as protection against illness, disaster, and bad fortune. Like the dragon, they can bring rain, and also know the consequences that may come from improper actions. They also posess the preminition to leave a place if things are “not quite right”.  Apparently in this case, he is a little late.