Love in the Whisper of Snakes (2025) Sculpture by Zhao Yongchang

2025 is the traditional Year of the Snake in China. Throughout the long history of culture, the image of the snake occupies a unique and remarkable position in different cultural systems. Whether it is the complex and profound image in Western culture or the auspicious and lucky connotations in Chinese culture, the snake has become a cultural symbol with great creative potential. Fascinated by and deeply reflecting on these diverse cultural connotations, I was inspired to create a sculpture related to the snake.
In the context of Western culture, the image of the snake is complex and profound. It is an ancient symbol of wisdom. In ancient Greek myths and legends, the snake is like a guardian of knowledge, privy to many mysteries of the universe and guiding people to the door of wisdom, much like the delicate emotions and ways of getting along in love that require careful exploration and understanding. However, in the Bible story, the snake transforms into a tempter. It skillfully tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, a deed that brands it as evil and also symbolizes the various temptations and potential crises in the journey of love. One wrong step and you may be lost in the maze of emotions.
In the vast realm of Chinese culture, the snake is honored as the "Little Dragon," intricately linked to the dragon, which symbolizes dignity and authority, and implies auspiciousness and good fortune. Its strong reproductive ability makes it a beautiful symbol of family prosperity and numerous descendants. In the context of love, it represents the eager anticipation of love's fruit and the longing for future life. At the same time, the snake is agile and clever, demonstrating the wit to deal with life's challenges, just as lovers need wisdom and adaptability when facing the twists and turns of love.
The rose is a classic symbol of love in both Western and Chinese cultures. Its delicate and charming appearance is just like the ionate emotions between lovers, and its rich fragrance is like the enchanting aura of love, making people intoxicated.
In this work of art, the rose transformed from a snake interweaves the themes of life and love. The snake's unique characteristic of molting and rebirth symbolizes the cycle and endlessness of life. Each molt is a clarion call for a new beginning, just as love is continuously sublimated through the baptism of time, becoming more mellow and enduring. When we understand the profound connotations of love embodied in the snake and the rose, we will realize that as long as there is love in our hearts and we know how to cherish and nurture it, every day can be filled with the sweetness and romance of Valentine's Day.
The winding posture of the snake and the softness of the rose are intertwined inseparably, just like the ionate and deep - seated emotions between lovers, where you are in me and I am in you. Their integration is not only a physical fit but also a deep - seated attraction and a profound connection at the soul level, telling the mysterious and charming power of love. This power can lovers through ordinary days, turning every ordinary day into a day full of love.
I hope this work is the most sincere gift you give to your beloved. Let it convey the most ionate love in your heart and accompany each other through the years.

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Scupture