the origin of the single snake may actually be Biblical! Moses lifted a serpent on a pole at God's command after they were attacked by snakes for complaining about both following Moses and the manna God provided. Numbers 21:8 (ASV -from Blue Letter Bible)
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.
Num 21:9
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.
the origin of the single snake may actually be Biblical! Moses lifted a serpent on a pole at God's command after they were attacked by snakes for complaining about both following Moses and the manna God provided. Numbers 21:8 (ASV -from Blue Letter Bible)
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.
Granted, but looking at one some one has raised on a long stick will warn you not to mess with them again. (especially if it is dead or made of brass)