Renewal, rebirth must mark Year of the Snake

A few days ago, I found myself pondering the generational labels of Generation X (people born between 1965 and 1980), Generation Y (or millennials, born between 1981 and 1996) and Generation Z (born between the mid-1990s and 2010s). I wondered, with "Z" being the last letter of the English alphabet, what comes next?

Even though the birth rate is dropping in much of the world, children are still being born. It is not as if humankind will not reproduce anymore after Gen Z.

If we borrow the animal zodiac to name generations, it would better capture the cyclical nature of life. Imagine generations named Dragon, Tiger, Rabbit or Rooster. But wait a minute. Would anyone want to be part of "Generation Snake"?

In Chinese culture, snakes are often associated with cruelty, as described in sayings like "the heart of a snake" or being "cold-blooded as a snake". Similarly, in Western traditions, the snake's stealth and venom evoke images of deceit and danger, as reflected in stories like the serpent in the Garden of Eden or J?rmungandr, the serpent or "great beast" of Norse mythology.

Having lived in western Texas for many years, I have had my share of encounters with rattlesnakes. Fortunately, none of those encounters ended in an attack or death on either side. Sweetwater, Texas, hosts an annual Rattlesnake Roundup that celebrates the Western diamondback rattlesnake. Originally begun in 1958 as a rattlesnake population control effort, the event now attracts thousands of visitors, featuring snake-handling demonstrations, hunting, and the dramatic sight of pits filled with writhing snakes — a scene that conjures images of Laoco?n's legendary struggle with serpents.

However, the symbolism of snakes is multifaceted, transcending fear and cruelty. Across cultures, snakes embody mysticism, hidden knowledge and spiritual energy. In kundalini yoga, "coiled snake" in Sanskrit, means the energy that rests, often dormant, coiled at the base of the spine. When it rises or awakens, it causes a number of experiences, which can be good.

In Japan, sacred white snakes are revered as protectors. In Chinese culture, the snake is also linked to the dragon, a favored symbol of power, and the Year of the Snake is affectionately called the "Junior Dragon Year".

The dual symbolism — creation and destruction, life and death -makes the snake a bridge between opposing forces. Even at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Texas, I learned that venom harvested from rattlesnakes is used to treat snakebites, hypertension and vascular or renal diseases. The snake's association with medicine extends back over 2,400 years to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing. The staff entwined with a single snake, known as the R