Japanese Symbol for
蛇hebi
snake · serpent · zodiac
Readings
Meaning
Snake, serpent. 蛇 (hebi) is the sixth animal in the East Asian zodiac (巳 — mi). In Japanese folklore, white snakes (白蛇 — shiro hebi) are sacred messengers of the gods — bringing wealth and fortune.
Example words
白蛇
shirohebi
white snake (sacred, lucky)
蛇口
jaguchi
faucet, tap (snake's mouth)
大蛇
daija / ōhebi
huge serpent, giant snake
蛇の道は蛇
ja no michi wa ja
set a thief to catch a thief (snakes know snake paths)
海蛇
umihebi
sea snake
蛇行
jakō
meandering, winding (snake-movement)
白蛇 (shirohebi — white snake) is one of Japan's most powerful good luck symbols. Seeing a white snake is considered extremely auspicious — bringing wealth and protecting the household. Iwakuni City's albino snakes are designated a National Natural Monument. The snake goddess Benzaiten (弁財天) is often depicted with or as a white serpent.
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